“Alexi,” I said through my teeth. “What if this is a trap?”
“He reached out to me, Donavyn. There’s no risk he thinks you’re maneuvering, because I told him how reluctant you are, and hinted at other responsibilities here. He thinks he has to entice you—he’s invited you to their festival of lights, andverygenerously suggested that you may be attended by any team members you see fit.”
“There’s no chance for subterfuge,” I breathed. “You’re sending us in—”
“With all eyes on you, yes,” Alexi said, his eyes glinting with a challenge to me to defy him. “But let’s be clear: The Court won’t suspect you because their king asked for a visit, and I merely, casually, remembered the plan we’d discussed before you were distracted by other things. I have, quite deftly, garnered youand heran invitation among the Court, and I’ve already inflated their interest in both of you, without encroaching on your plan whatsoever. Our possible enemiesopen their gatesto us, Donavyn. Offering themselves on a platter—to you, and your mate. It’s the perfect opportunity to infiltrate and determine whether they are friend or foe. Which is our purpose, is it not?”
“Yes, but—”
“I don’t want to hear your protests for her sake. She’s never safer than if theywanther. Unless you see a hole in my logic, it’s time to move forward. I’ll need to respond to him and let him know when to expect you and yourteam.”
I did war with myself, and Alexi knew it. But he also nodded approvingly when he saw me get hold of myself, though I felt like my bones vibrated inside my skin.
“I’ll need to speak with those training her, see how far she’s come. And speak with our herd managers. This isn’t a protest against moving faster, Alexi. Itisour purpose to infiltrate and identify the truth. We can’t do that if she goes in ill-prepared. Please, give us weeks, not days. If it’s a simple curiosity, the extra time will only whet their appetites.”
Appetites. I was speaking about nobleappetitestowards my mate.What the fuck was wrong with the world?
I wanted to grab the man up and shake him, but he was right. He’d been deft in his manipulation. Under any other circumstances, I would have approved greatly.
“I told you three weeks, and one has passed—”
“You saidat least—”
“She’s the key to this, Donavyn. I’m certain of it. Diaan is equally convinced. I’m sending you because you create credibility—and the women who traveled with the king were quite enamored with you, apparently. Fyrehold is doing anything in his power to keep his court distracted. And he seems particularly interested in keeping Vosgaarde close. The question is, why? Does he hunger for our crumbs because he fears the future of our alliance isn’t sure? Or is he attempting to manipulate? It’s time to find out, and circumstances have allowed us tosafelyusher you both in. Call it a provision from God, or whatever you wish. But it’s time, Donavyn.”
“And if it’s a trap?” I seethed.
“Then between you, you’ll discover it, and we’ll have our answer,” he returned firmly.
And there it was, that attitude again, where the potential loss of life at the service of his purposes was nothing but a hazard of the game. His callousness left me breathless. But before I couldfind words that wouldn’t end in me strung up for treason, the door opened.
“What have I missed?” Diann swept into the room, waving off a handful of servants and leaving them outside the chamber when she saw our faces.
Just what I needed.
As Alexi filled her in on our conversation and my protests, I stood there stiffly, fighting for control. I seemed tolivein that state these days, and now the two most powerful people in my life were in agreement on putting the one life at risk that was most important to me.
“What is your primary concern, Donavyn?” Diaan asked. I couldn’t tell if she was genuinely worried, or simply trying to get me onside. She’d been verypatient and willing to listen since I’d put her in her place.
I clenched my hands to fists and forced myself not to shout. “She’s barely trained. She’s still struggling just to make it through the basics. We can’t pull her out while she’s this shaky, put her in the middle of a pack of wolves, and expect her to succeed! But she’s already been drawn to their attention, so there’s no chance to continue her training there. It’s just… it’s too much to expect one, inexperienced person to carry!”
Diaan pursed her lips thoughtfully, but a moment later she shook her head. “I think you forget how the Court works, Donavyn. I know you’re accustomed to the rather frank dealings of the commoners. Those of the Court see potential for betrayal ineverything.”
“All the more reason to be circumspect—”
“No, no. Hear me,” Diaan insisted, though she didn’t sound angry. “She’s been given a measure of protection—invited as part of your team, by their very own King. They’ll be curious about her, and her relationship with you, yes. But they’ll also know they’re dealing with someone who isn’t beneathourKing’snotice. You should be pleased. To them, no matter how she looks, she’s clearly more than a simple servant girl. It will make them more careful in their dealings with her.”
“It will place a target on her back—all eyes waiting for her!” I snarled.
“And you,” Diaan pointed out.
“But I’ve had decades to train and learn strategy—”
Diaan’s head tilted. “Do you not believe she’s up to the task?”
“Of course I do—I wouldn’t have raised her if she couldn’t handle the work.”
“Then why are you so agitated?” Alexi asked pointedly.
