Alarm skated through me. Harthon had intentionally kept the attack quiet.
In a reassuring tone, Alrich added, “It is a small rumor—nothing of concern. With her presence here tonight, no one would believe it. In fact, even I question its truth.”
“There was no attack on Etarla,” Harthon said blandly, like the rumor bored him. “Though ridiculous rumors like this are a good sign. It means there are no real issues to gossip about.”
“I suppose that is true. You are well then, Ladymagvis?”
“Does it look like I amunwell?” I asked.
His face slacked. “No, of course not.”
I glanced at the next Lord in line, a clear dismissal. Alrich took the hint, departing with a goodbye. The next few came and went without ceremony until Jonathan, who was last in line, shuffled before us.
Unlike the others, he wore a jeweled necklace around his head, the gemstone resting in the center of his forehead.
A faux crown.
“Princeps.Magvis,” he stated, a slight bow to his head. When he straightened, he, too, eyed the intertwined metal on my head. In a voice that dripped with disdain, he said, “You’re wearing a crown.”
And you’re trying to wear one, too, though you look like a child playing dress-up.
Rather than voicing that thought, I said, “I’m glad your eyes seem to be working.”
“Seated beside the Princeps, wearing a crown,” he mused, eying Harthon. “Is there a change in themagvis’status your cabinet was uninformed of?”
He had to realize the platform’s edge was only feet behind him, no? It would be so easy to send him over it. Just a shove of the table into his stomach, and—
“What type of status change might there be?” Harthon asked with boredom.
“Why, this is how a Princeps’ Lady might present.”
Skies, it was like he and Alrich had consulted before coming to greet us.
Harthon casually reached for his goblet. “And what about amagvis, Jonathan? How might one of them present?”
“I, well—”
He didn’t give him a chance to blubber. “You don’t know, because you’ve never seen one. A Princeps has never partnered with one. Given Etarla’s abilities and importance, I think this is a fine way for her to present herself, no?”
Pursed lips hid what was likely a snarl. “Of course, Princeps.”
“And she does look rather lovely,” Harthon continued. Then he lowered his pitch. “A thankful thing, given recent events.”
Jonathan’s eyes widened. “A shocking event, yes,” he said gravely.
I cleared my throat, because what in the Domus was Harthon doing? It was bad enough that word had gotten out about the attack. Now he was deliberately stoking the fire?
Ignoring me, Harthon said, “News of the attack should not have spread. Tell me, what do the Lords know?”
Jonathan lifted a hand to his chest. “I don’t know if I’m entitled to speak for them—”
“You are. We both know you diligently keep your finger on the pulse of the cabinet. This is why I’m asking you, and not the others.”
He nearly preened. “Of course, I feel it’s my responsibility to stay…up-to-date on the happenings in the cabinet and this Territory. Supposedly, ourmagviswas attacked by hired men.”
“Is that all?” Harthon asked, unimpressed.
“Of course not.” Jonathan leaned forward, as if sharing a secret between two friends. “The attack was nearly successful, and as you can imagine, that does not reflect well on yourmagvis,or the security of the Citadel.”
