“As many issues as we have between us, I think the real problem is going to be everyone else,” Eiri said. He tucked his legs up beneath him, tugging the sleeves of the robe down to make sure they covered the bruises. It was still odd to be sittinghere wearing Syrus’ robe while they talked, but the other man didn’t seem to mind.
“We have more people on our side than I originally thought, but the biggest issue is going to be my parents. Or rather, my mother. My father tends to just go along with whatever she says.”
“I don’t suppose there’s any chance she’ll continue to leave us alone and let us work it out?”
Syrus shook his head. “She’s been pressuring me for details since the day of our betrothal.” He hesitated, and it was too easy for Eiri to fill in the blanks.
“I assume she’s angry that I defied her and still wants me to act and behave like one of her people?”
“She’s fairly adamant about it,” he said on a sigh. “I spoke to Xan about it, and he thinks it’s about power. She has to show people she can keep you in line.”
Eiri caught the edge in Syrus’ deep voice, even though he seemed like he was trying to hide it. He gave the man credit; it couldn’t be easy to go against his ingrained loyalty to his queen and talk about her like this.
“What do you think will happen if I keep refusing? I can’t imagine that she’d annul the marriage and lose the resources she gained in Canjir by buying me.”
“That’s a cynical way to look at it,” Syrus winced.
Eiri just shrugged. “Cynical, but true. That’s beside the point, though. What do you think she’ll do?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure. I’ve never defied her before, so I’ve never had to deal with the consequences.”
That didn’t surprise him. Syrus was a damn good soldier, and the best soldiers knew how to follow orders, in his experience. Unfortunately, that left him stuck trying to figure out the motives of a woman he only knew from rumors and whispers.
“Hold on a moment.” Eiri sat up a little straighter, thefirst inklings of an idea trying to form. “You mentioned we had more allies than you’d assumed. Can I ask who that includes?”
“Well, it’s not a huge number that I know of so far, but considering I thought we had no one, even a few is a surprise,” Syrus cautioned. “My cousin Xan and my brother Ellis, for sure. Ellis is the baby of the family, so he may not be helpful in figuring out what she may do. Xan, though… Xan is only a cousin by marriage, not by blood. He had to fight to earn his position here at court. He also doesn’t set much store by the rules.”
“Do you think they’d be willing to help us?” Privately, he thought the brother would be more useful than the cousin, depending on his relationship with Queen Delia, but he kept that to himself for now.
Syrus nodded. “Xan has already said he wants to. Ellis asked if he could meet you soon, and I think he’d be willing once he does.”
“Aside from them, is there anyone else you’d trust to help us sort this out?” Two allies weren’t much, but it was more than he’d expected.
“My oldest brother Brandow is completely loyal to my mother and will do anything if it earns him a scrap of her approval. He and I haven’t ever really gotten along, not since he understood the full meaning of what it means to be the crown prince. My sisters…” Syrus considered it for a moment, then shook his head. “Ashana and Neliah are married with children of their own, and Corrine is under enough pressure from my mother to do the same that I doubt she’d be willing to face anymore scrutiny from her.”
“You have five siblings? Life as a soldier sounds peaceful compared to that. One sister is more than enough for me.”
“I want to say my mother wanted all of us so she could have a big, loving family, but honestly?” Syrus glanced toward thedoor, as though afraid someone would hear him. “I think she had so many of us so she could secure her position. What better way to ensure a dynasty lasts than to have your children connected to every kingdom on this side of the world?”
And Eiri had thought he was the cynical one in this marriage. “Well, at least it works in our favor. It keeps your mother’s attention divided and hopefully buys us a little breathing room.”
“Not exactly.” Syrus winced at Eiri’s look of confusion. “My sister Neliah’s birthday celebration is tomorrow, and she’s already ordered me to make sure you attend.”
“But only if I’m wearing Vaetrean clothing and not acting like a barbarian?” Eiri guessed, not surprised in the least when Syrus nodded. “So, we’re back where we started. What do we think she’ll do when I refuse?”
“It’s not something you’d consider compromising on?”
Eiri reined in his temper, but it took every bit of his willpower to hold back his automatic response. The sharp, biting words had no place in this tentative new peace they were trying to build.
“I just don’t see the point,” he said carefully, once he’d settled his emotions. “There’s no hiding who I am or where I’m from. She obviously knew what I was before she agreed to sign the marriage contract. I’m proud of my people and my heritage, and I don’t want to lose that.”
“It wouldn’t be forever. Just for one night, to buy us a little reprieve to figure out our next move,” Syrus said. “I’m on your side about this, but I don’t see what other options we have.”
“Why don’t we try meeting with Xan and Ellis first, to see what they have to say, before we make any decisions?” Eiri countered. Syrus’ idea was reasonable and probably their smartest move, but there was only so far Eiri could bend his pride before it snapped.
“Alright. I’ll talk to them today,” he agreed. “What about the ambassador who came with you? He’ll help us, I assume?”
Now it was Eiri’s turn to wince. “Let’s not get him involved unless we have to,” he hedged. “He’s here with me, but he’s here for my mother and the council. I can’t guarantee that he won’t report back to them with any plans we make.”
