“She’s proven valuable, has she not?”
Theo ignored his father’s attempt to bring up his collapse in the throne room. “You wish to exploit her for her skills?”
“A time will come when her identity is revealed. She’ll either prove herself by working here for a time or slip up. Regardless, however long it takes is our opportunity to learn what skills she possesses.”
“Aren’t you afraid she’ll cause further harm or kill someone in the role?” If he truly believed her to be dangerous, it didn’t make sense to offer a role to her that held life delicately in one’s hands.
“She rushed and tended to you without a thought in the throne room. It’s said amongst the mystique community that selflessness is the first trait of value to a powerful healer. Miss Carter may not be forthcoming with who she really is, but her instincts are to act.”
Theo was thrown into the war again, forced to discern who his enemies were and what they were planning. He missed the few weeks of peace, where the only worry was whether he’d wake from a nightmare needing to vomit.
“You think she’ll put other’s safety before her own?” Theo asked.
“With patients, yes.” His father leaned further into the sill, the sun casting him in a bright aura, a massive contrast to the darkness he emanated. “I wish for her not only to be under guard but for someone to infiltrate her life.”
“I’m not sure I follow.”
His father’s face scrunched up as he took a seat in a leather chair beside the window. “Have you learned nothing while you were away?”
Theo took a deep breath, forcing himself to surrender to his calm demeanor. “Is a guard not enough to gather information?”
“You of all people should understand that’s not enough. I wantsomeone to gain her attention, become her ally.”
“You wish for someone to earn her trust and spy on her?”
“If given the opportunity to befriend, I believe she may open up. People sometimes have loose tongues around those they’re comfortable with.”
“She won’t appreciate our deception.”
“She’ll be none the wiser. They’ll keep their mission secretive.”
“Would Adelaide suffice?”
She seemed to have taken a liking for Amaris, even though he couldn’t imagine why.
“Adelaide,” he said through a raspy breath, “is to do nothing of the sort. She may run about the manor pretending she is a soldier, but she hasn’t the skill for a task such as this.”
Theo loosed a breath and shoved away the beginnings of an outburst. It wasn’t the time for that fight. “You wish for a soldier to gain her trust, then? I can delegate the mission to Sephardi or Gris?”
“No.”
“Amaris might be more willing to reveal her identity to another woman,” Theo countered.
“Sergeant Salter has already shown her true colors regarding what she believes of Miss Carter. She’ll be harder to control. Corporal Salter will no doubt side with her wife.”
“Who do you suggest then?” Theo had several more than qualified soldiers at his disposal for such a task. His arms folded across his chest. He waited for his father to say Alan or even Esaias, but after the near attack with her spoon, Theo would suggest anyone other than Esaias.
“I’ve grown tired of your lack of care for the loss of Lord Freville. He was a nobleman of Luana and deserves our respect.Youwill do it.”
“Me?” Theo questioned. “I have more than enough duties—”
“You will be the one to earn her trust. As you have become infatuated with the nefarious possibilities of the Black Sea. It’s only fitting she is your responsibility.
“My responsibility?” Theo scoffed.
“You’re to be her guard and earn her trust.”
Theo’s nostrils flared. “I can’t,” he protested. The idea of parading around with Amaris on guard duty was insulting, and the thought of befriending her sent his teeth clenching. “I’m a captain.”
