Everyone who suffered, everyone who died.
Raleigh wasn’t to blame.
‘I need to speak to my father,’ I said, more to myself than anyone.I turned to go, but Moira caught me in the study doorway.
‘Not so fast.You remember what happened last time you went to Orlfen.’
‘It won’t be like last time.’
‘You didn’t think last time would be like last time either.’
‘Enrique will chaperone me,’ I said.Then, ‘You’ll accompany me, won’t you?’
Enrique winced as though he was surprised to find we knew he was listening.He turned away from the shelf and pulled out his watch, a piece grander than most household staff could hope to afford if they saved for a lifetime.‘I will if Moira cooks.’
Moira glared at him.‘I seem to recall someone telling me that all of mankind would benefit if I never touched a stove again.’
He waved a hand as though brushing away her words.‘This is more important than dinner.’
Moira couldn’t find the words to reply.I wish I could have appreciated the moment – that Enrique would find anything more important than dinner was a triumph I’d have to relish later – but I was getting impatient.Every minute we lingered here was a minute of lost sunlight to guide me on the road.The road to Orlfen was dangerous enough as it was, and I didn’t want to lose the rapidly narrowing window of light.
‘Fine, we’ll swap roles for the night,’ Moira muttered.
I didn’t entirely understand what she meant.‘Tell Raleigh where I’ve gone,’ I said.‘If we’re not back before midnight, he’ll know where to find me.’
‘He won’t wait that long.’
‘He won’t need to,’ I said.‘Trust me.I have no intention of staying in Orlfen.’
Sovereign was starting to droop her head by the time we reached the Orlfen bridge, and we’d fallen behind Enrique, who rode a sleekblack mare of Raleigh’s I didn’t know the name of.Dusk had well set in and the poor beasts had already travelled all the way to Triz and back that day.We tethered them by the bridge, giving them enough leeway to drink if they needed to.I had learnt my lesson last time about bringing Sovereign into town.Here she would be available for a quick escape if needed.
Some storefronts wore browning garlands of flowers, and with a jolt I realised they must have been left over from the harvest festival – I’d been so caught up in the anniversary of my mother’s passing I hadn’t spared a thought for the holiday.I felt strangely lost at the thought of Orlfen celebrating while I lost track of time in the castle, though the date held so many mixed emotions.As a child I’d loved the festivities; later, it became the day the prince had returned.Now, I didn’t know what it meant to me.
The door to my old home was unlocked, as it so often was during the day.I barged in without knocking, pausing only when I noticed Enrique lingering in the threshold.He always cooked with a generous dash of garlic, never flinched at the crucifix on my dagger, and hadn’t been bothered by the river, but this was apparently one limitation he had inherited from his father.
‘You can come in,’ I said.
From the stiffness of his nod, I could tell he was embarrassed.
My father was in his study when I barged in without knocking, surrounded by the three men he considered his council, though none held formal roles.I knew them all well.Growing up, they had been like family, and I had once been grateful that all had survived the famine.Now I couldn’t help but note their lack of jutting bones.How few pyres we’d built for their families.
Father was annoyed by the intrusion.I could tell he thought I was Johanna, or someone’s annoyed wife.He took his time, rolling his eyes before really looking at me.Then, realisation clicked and heflew to his feet.‘Clara?’he breathed, as he began to come around from behind his desk.‘Did the prince—’
I put out a hand to stop him.‘Tell me about Triz.’
He froze.Looked to the council, then back to me.‘You’ve been to Triz.’He tried to smile, but it flailed about his lips and refused to stick.‘When you were small, do you remember?’
‘I was there today.’I spoke slowly, letting venom drip from my lips with every syllable.‘And everyone had such lovely things to say about your visits to the market.’
He kept up the same blandly amiable expression, but a trace of hardness crossed his face, so subtle I doubted anyone but I would notice.‘Could we speak in private?’The words were plainly meant for the men around us.So theydidn’tknow.Not fully, at least.I wondered whether they would still stand by him if they knew the truth, or if they thought whatever additional stores Father had offered them through the famine were worth looking the other way for.
The council took the hint and began to filter from the room.‘Him too,’ Father said, nodding to Enrique.‘This is a family matter.’
‘Enrique is here to avoid a repeat of last time,’ I said.Then to Enrique I added, ‘Please stay.’
Father sighed.He returned to his seat, conceding the first win to me.‘Fine.Close the door.’I did and remained standing.‘Now, what is this about?’
‘Did Raleigh deliver aid to Orlfen during the famine?’
