“You’re not upset?” she asks.
“Why should I be?” I reply, chewing slowly. “Any king needs a strong queen with beneficial alliances to strengthen the realm.”
“But you’re the Starkeeper. You don’t need alliances. You have magic.”
I see Helena’s very curious gaze surreptitiously flick to my jadu bracers, and I push my plate to the side, folding my hands in my lap to hide the cursed things from view.
“I’m the king’s hand, that’s all.” I exhale and lean my head back, staring at the colorful mural painted on the ceiling. I remember when I first came here how in awe I’d been. Now I’d give anything to see the crimson-streaked desert skies of my home and the wood-beamed ceilings of my family’s tavern instead. “When all the dust settles with the peace treaties between the houses, the security of the northern borders, and a queen in place to assure the succession of the royal line, I only want to return to my family.”
Helena shakes her head as though she doesn’t quite believe me, but then again, her ambitions are no surprise. First with Javed, and I suspect even now while she warms Aran’s bed, she plots for an elevated position in court with Roshan. Honestly, she’s welcome to him.
I ignore the slight pang that releases in my stomach and sigh, pressing my fingertips to my temples. Wishing for something that has been lost serves little purpose. Heartbreak is rarely survivable for extended periods, and sooner or later, time has a way of soothing all wounds, even the deepest ones.
“How have you been?” she ventures after a minute.
Her face is the picture of compassion, and I choose not to dwell on whether it’s contrived or not. The conversation—even with a pretty viper—is pleasant. Still, I want to laugh. It’s such an inane question, but I answer it with honesty. “I suppose I’ve had better days.”
“How can I help?”
With a wry look, I wave my arms. “Unless you have a way to get these off, I don’t think anyone can help.”
Helena is quiet for a moment. She opens her mouth, then shuts it. When she does it a second and third time, I raise a brow. “What? Spit it out.”
“What if I told you”—she glances at the closed door and lowers her voice—“that I could get you out of here? Out of Kaldari.”
My hopes soar and crash in the same breath. “I would say that’s a nice dream.”
Her eyes flash with a curious blend of emotions I can’t make sense of. Determination mixed with greed? Smugness with a hint of desperation? “No, it’s true. I befriended a runecaster, one of Aran’s trusted. He is the one who repairs any damage to the collar for the monster.”
“The monster?” I frown. “Oh, you mean the azdaha?” I lean forward. “So what?”
“I think he might be able to release your cuffs as well.”
I grimace at my wrists, squashing the infinitesimal flare of optimism. “Aran made these, and there’s no way he’ll help either of us. Trust me, no one else, not even another runecaster, will go against him or the king.”
“This one would,” she insists so strongly that I stare at her.
“Why are you suddenly so interested in helping me?” I ask. “My magic is bound. I can’t possibly be of any service to you.” My eyes narrow. “Still thinking of me as your competition to eliminate?”
“Of course not! I would never betray His Majesty like that!” she exclaims. “I suppose if you must know, I want to make amends for how I’ve treated you in the past.”
I can’t help my sarcastic laugh. Helena’s cheeks redden and her gaze darkens with anger as she jolts to her feet.
Guilt swamps me, considering she took it upon herself to visit me. “I apologize for any offense, Lady Helena,” I say as she reaches the door. “You’re just the last person I’d ever expect to be on my side.”
“Do you want to meet my friend or not?” she asks with a mollified sniff, her hand on the doorknob.
I consider my options. It’s not like I have anything to lose. At the very least, an escape attempt will show the king that he hasn’t broken me yet. I still have free will, even if it costs me a night or two locked in my chambers.
“Sure,” I say. “Why not?”
Her satisfied stare meets mine. “Very well. I’ll arrange it.”
Chapter Nine
Surprisingly, Helena’s a woman of her word.
A message arrives hidden on my supper tray two weeks later, catching me by surprise. I start to read it while sipping my tea and falter.My friend has agreed to see you when the king departs this evening for Veniar to visit House Fomalhaut.
