“That’s an excellent idea,” Alexi said, waving a hand as if the discussion were over. “There’s no one better at maneuvering at court than Diaan—both with the men, and the women. She would be an excellent tutor.”
“There isn’t time,” I growled, ignoring Alexi’s sharp look as I slowly bowed my head at Diaan, but let her see the light offuryin my eyes. “Your offer ishumbling,Your Majesty,” I seethed. “But the shorter the time until she’s expected to fly, the more pressure we face. I’m afraid we won’t reach thenuanceof training before our mission. But I will certainly ask your assistance at a later time.”
Diaan’s lips thinned at the rage in my eyes, but I wasn’t sure if it was irritation or embarrassment that pinked her cheeks.
She hadn’t told the king.
I wasn’t sure what that revealed about her motives. There also wasn’t time to give it thought.
Too many irons in the fire. Too many battle fronts to fight at once. Too many problems, not enough time.
I was suddenly deeply weary. But vibrating with energy—fueled by anger and fear. I turned back to the king, putting Diaan out of my mind.
“Sire, please consider giving us at least four weeks.”
“We originally agreed to two!”
“And as I’ve explained, I’m certain it behooves us to take more time before entering Fyrehold. Both for her sake, and for the nation’s.”
The king rubbed his chin again, glowering. “I do not like the message it sends—it feels weak to sit on our asses, knowing their machinations have been brewing under the surface—”
“We will, of course, adjust as needed, if new information comes to the fore. But with the information we currently possess, this is mybestadvice.”
And it was. Though I was grateful to God that I could say that with a clear conscience, because Bren’s safety definitely weighed more heavily on my heart than the political strategy.
“Three weeks,” Alexi said. When I opened my mouth, he raised a hand to silence me. “I may be pressed to four if we can see promising signs, either within the nations, or in her skills. But for now… you have three weeks.”
I nodded once and bowed to him, but my chest simmered with frustration.
There was never enough time!
Then again, would there ever be a time when I would feel unafraid to walk her into that lion’s den? Probably not.
I hadn’t even straightened from my bow before the king was on his feet, marching towards the door, leaving the goblet on the sideboard as he passed it. “Have the Furymaster send me the correct wording for a request of this nature. As long as I’m sitting on my ass, I’d like to draft our sending to Fyrehold.”
“Yes, Sire,” I said to his back.
Then he was gone, leaving me with the queen. I stared at the door where he’d exited for a moment, bracing myself before turning to her. “Thank you for your time, Your Majesty,” I ground out. “I’ll see myself out.” I strode towards the door as fast as I could without being seen to flee, but almost tripped when she appeared at my elbow.
“I’ll walk with you.”
I opened my mouth to assure her there was no need—very firmly—but the door swung open ahead of us and a surprised guard bowed at the sight of the queen already approaching the door.
“Your Majesty, we will escort you wherever—”
“No need,” she said breezily, taking my elbow as she always had. “The General will walk me.”
My skin crawled under her small palm, but with all four guards outside the door now watching, I had no choice but to do as she said.
Frustrated and angry, I walked at a brisk clip until she was forced to almost trot to keep up.
When we reached an empty cross-hall in the grand corridors of the royal wing, and were alone again, she looked up at me.
“You look like you’re grinding rocks in your teeth,” she said quietly.
I glared down at her, and to my surprise, she dropped her eyes.
“There’s no need to stare poison at me,” she murmured. “We are both adults and can conduct ourselves as such.”
