He blinked.
Dask…
She tilted her head and began braiding her hair.
“He is Evander of the House of Zrynon—my man-at-arms, and no kin of mine. He shares no blood with the Casqadian queen either, but he is part of her court.”
Evander rummaged through the saddlebags for food.
“The queen found me as a child. Took pity on my poor, innocent soul.”
Amerei’s voice was quiet.
“She married his father to secure the throne—the war chief, Raif Tassen.”
“I know of him,” Viktor said, accepting food. “I didn’t know he’d married the queen.”
“It was…”
Amerei tied off her braid, searching for words.
“…a very brief marriage.”
“She killed him,” Evander said flatly, already dropping to the ground with food in hand. “Killed him without considering she’d be stuck with me.”
Amerei’s voice wavered.
“She didn’t kill him…”
But she didn’t finish the thought.
Silence settled—long and heavy.
Eventually, Amerei stirred.
She beckoned Viktor with a quiet tilt of her head.
They shared what little they had—spiced lentils wrapped in leaves, smoked river fish, dried berries, and elvish grains sweetened with honey resin.
Evander sprawled on the pebbles with a saddlebag under his head, chewing lazily.
Amerei lowered herself beside Viktor, crossing her legs to mirror his—close enough that he could feel her presence stir the air between them.
She didn’t speak.
Neither did he.
She was right there—her shoulder just shy of his.
Viktor drew a slow breath, brow furrowing under the weight of all he still didn’t understand.
“Are you also in the queen’s court?”
Amerei dipped her fingers into the water, swirling it thoughtfully.
“Zrynon comes from my grandfather. My father thinks using it will shield me from his enemies.”
Viktor brushed the top of his ear with his fingers.
