“I’ve asked the cooks to have some fresh baked goods delivered to our guests,” Lady Sessaley chimes in. Silver beads glitter on the bodice of her lilac gown, rivaling the silvery strands of hair that fall in gentle waves over her shoulders.
“That’s a wonderful idea, Lady Sessaley,” I say.
Iywan clears his throat. “We have dispatched Forayers to take care of the miscreants who escaped.”
I swallow hard. “Lord Iywan, kindly have someone bring me a list of every prisoner who escaped tonight.”
Iywan blinks rapidly. “Yes, Princess.” He shifts in his seat and clasps his hands together atop the table. “How do you propose we handle the attendees still present?”
He expects me to deflect my duties, but not tonight. My heart hiccups. I am not afraid of speaking publicly, but it’s odd to be perceived astheauthority. Yet I remember my mother telling me that intough times, a great morale booster was always when the leader offered comforting words. “I will be more than happy to make a statement in the concourse, Lord Iywan,” I say. “Then we will reconvene in a few days’ time when things have simmered down. For now, let us keep our guests happy, yes?”
The councilors agree.
I swallow, so many questions swimming through my mind. Iywan didn’t specifically mention Durvla or Tiernan. But the cold stare he has pinned on me says he is very aware of more than he’s letting on. I slip my hands beneath the table and smooth them over my skirts. “Thank you all for being level-headed in these frightening times,” I say. “The Feast was a wonderful event regardless. We should keep that in the forefront of our guests’ minds and not the nasty aftermath. I will be sure to make an announcement shortly.”
The councilors murmur various things and Iywan’s lip twitches. I’m not sure whether he intends to smile or what. But he nods, stony faced, and I rise from my seat.
The Queen’s Guards escort me back the way we came, and as I arrive in the loud concourse that’s still packed with far too many people, I point my guards in the direction of the small marble dais between two massive pillars. One of the guards pounds a staff three times against the floor, and the din gradually falls to a semblance of quietude. A person here or there coughs and it echoes in the hall.
“Greetings, one and all!” I project. Gods, I hope years of countless oration lessons come back to memory. I smile at the replies tossed my way. “Tonight, I am filled with gratitude for your presence here in the Fortress on the Mount. The Feast was…thrilling, if I do say so myself.”
Quiet laughter totters through the room, and I beam at the hundreds of faces before me.
“We are all safe and sound and very well fed, are we not?”
Murmurs of agreement.
“On top of it all, we look absolutely stunning!”
More laughter, more murmurs of agreement and other pleasant mutterings.
“I am proud of our resilience, and I hope you all enjoy the excellent service and, yes, more delectable food at Paramount Castle. This small hiccup just means that we get to enjoy the festivities a tad longer. Tomorrow, the sun rises again and so shall we all.”
“So shall we all!” the crowd echoes.
“Enjoy your stay!” I shout over applause and gleeful chatter.
I exhale as I step off the small platform. Nearby, Iywan’s arms are folded tightly across his fancy robes. I’m hardly able to gauge his expression before the Queen’s Guards flank me again.
“To your bedchamber?” the woman guard asks.
“Yes, indeed,” I respond.
When I finally arrive at my room, a lanky guard with brown skin and short-cropped hair is already standing at my door. I blink as Ren’s dark eyes settle on my face. He bows deeply. “Welcome back, Your Highness.”
My throat is too tight, so I simply smile, nod dismissingly to the Queen’s Guards, and step into my room as Ren holds the door open for me. As soon as I’m inside, I ring for Ellynne and Lowri.
Once I’m bathed and changed into my nightgown, Ellynne and Lowri take their leave, and I climb into bed. Moments later, a knock on the door is followed by Ren calling out to me, “There is a scroll here for your perusal, Your Highness.”
A frown tugs at my lips for a moment before I figure out what Ren is referring to. I leap out of bed and run toward the door, grabbing my dressing gown to throw over my nightwear. As I pull the door open, Ren extends a rolled parchment to me.
I open it in front of him.Manynames are listed including Alys Pritchard, Durvla Garrick and, after much searching, Osheen Oakley. My heart skips a beat. That doesn’t make any sense. There were two explosions only and that was during the Feast. How could he have escaped?
As I reroll the scroll I stare up at Ren. “Do you know the details of tonight’s rebel attack?”
Ren’s dark brows draw close, and he turns away for a moment. When he nods, I step aside, allowing him to enter my bedchamber. The door closes softly behind him and he remains rigid, a soldier at full attention.
“You are a man of few words, Sir Ren, but I get the inkling that you know a lot more than you disclose. I am trying to be the best ruler I can be, but with the Council and my own advisor constantly leaving me in the dark…” I breathe out harshly and pace for a moment. Turning back to him, I step close enough that he draws in a breath but doesn’t exhale.
