“Look,” I go on, “without evidence, I am not accusing Janus of anything, but with Alden’s upcoming visit, presenting a united front that the country is not in shambles is important. Finding Stellan’s mole ensures Corona remains safe from invasion.”
“You think Janus is his source?” Bennett asks, his face pale.
“That’s what I want your help figuring out.”
Bennett laughs, and the sound grates on my nerves. “Leigh, that’s preposterous.”
“Someone on the Council is working with Stellan,” I insist, and Bennett’s laughter dies, his face growing serious. “Unless you know who it is, my suspicion lies with Janus. We rule her out first before we focus on someone else.”
Bennett stares at his untouched plate, guilt and uncertainty etched in the tight line of his mouth. I understand his reluctance. He’s hardly regained any standing among the other Councilors since admitting he worked with Eos. But with the wolves coming, we can’t risk having Janus anywhere near Alden if she’s plotting with Stellan. One leaked detail to the wrong person could destroy everything we’ve built.
If Bennett uncovers Janus’s deceit, he’ll be helping me immensely. His actions could expose a dangerous threat and prevent further damage to our nation’s peace. It’s a chance for him to redeem himself and prove his trustworthiness.
I lean forward, my voice low and earnest. “Bennett, I wouldn’t ask this of you if I didn’t believe it was necessary. We need to know the truth about Janus’s whereabouts last night, and you’re the only one I know who can get close to her without raising suspicion.”
“How can I help?” Pallas asks while Bennett stares into his food.
I smile, glad at least he is on board.
“I need you to track Janus’s communications—find out who she’s been in contact with. Watch her movements, see who she meets in private. We need to know if there’s a pattern.”
Pallas nods, his expression stern with determination.
“What about Gianna?” Bennett asks. “What’s her role in this?”
Gianna’s stare meets mine, our late-night discussion about Alden and Ravi heavy between us. A simple business deal wouldn’t require the prince to journey hundreds of miles when a phone call would suffice. No, I suspect his true purpose is to evaluate Corona’s defenses, to determine whether it’s ripe for taking.
Gi gave me tips on keeping him entertained during his visit. By presenting strength and stability, I can ensure Corona appears formidable. When Alden leaves, he must believe any attempt to challenge my rule would be futile.
“Gianna already played her part,” I hedge.
Bennett’s brows lift. “That’s reassuring.”
“Are you going to help us, Bennett?” I ask.
Bennett’s penetrating gaze bounces among us until his ocean eyes land on mine. “I’ll try.”
Fantastic. “Janus is planning a luncheon tomorrow for the prince. Use that time to get closer to her. Now eat?—”
“I hope there’s enough food for all of us,” Wilder says, and I turn to find him and Jaxson filling the doorway, their disheveled uniforms and tired eyes a direct result of their long night.
“What brings you two here?” I ask, startled by the Blades’ presence during my espionage meeting. Jaxson breezes past, ruffling my hair before he steals a sausage from the pan. His casual theft does nothing to mask the tension they bring. Wilder wants Janus and me to get along. This violates that desire in more ways than one.
Wilder’s kiss is warm and familiar. From the corner of my eye, I catch Bennett’s rigid posture as he sits next to Gianna, who watches with narrowed eyes and barely concealed impatience, eager for this display to end.
“I brought you a present,” Wilder says. His voice is steady, but his smile falters.
A knock disrupts the room, and we all turn to see Isolde, a thin yet curvaceous blue-haired Blade who happens to be Wilder’s ex. A bag hangs over her shoulder, but her focus is on Wilder from the doorway.
“Everyone, this is Isolde,” he says, as if she needs an introduction. We all briefly met following the events at the capitol last autumn. “She will be staying at the palace while I am gone.”
I choke out a laugh. “Um, what?”
Isolde meets my stare, and I can tell she loathes being here. This wasn’t her idea; it was Wilder’s.
I scowl at my boyfriend, but he says, “Isolde is your new guard.”
“I have guards.”
