I remember what she is to Colsar. What she was. And now she sits here, looking beautiful and rested and dining with him, while I had sat alone.
Brinette had mentioned her once, not much, only that she was the Duke's daughter and that it mattered because the Duke’s brother sits on Veynar’s war council. Lord Fyne, apparently.
I keep my face a mask. I have had enough practice.
For a moment I do not move, and then the Sovereign looks up. "My queen," he says, as though I have joined something expected rather than interrupted it.
Colsar turns. Something moves across his face, small and gone almost immediately. Jessamy's attention follows his and when she sees me she goes still, something moving through her expression that she does not manage to contain quicklyenough. Surprise, and then something else beneath it, the rapid reassembly of composure.
"Colsar did not mention you were here," she says.
The words are directed at me but her eyes move briefly to him as she says it, and the implication in that glance is as intentional as anything she has ever said to my face.
I step forward. "I did not realize you had company," I say, and my voice carries nothing she can use.
"Then you are all the more welcome," the Sovereign replies.
I take a seat and a servant appears quickly, placing a setting in front of me.
"The northern border will not hold if they continue to move that way," the Duke is saying.
"They will not," Colsar replies, the certainty in his voice quiet and complete. "They have tested that ground before. It does not give them what they need."
"And if they change approach?"
"They will not."
Jessamy turns slightly toward him. "They never do. Not when they believe they already understand the terrain."
Colsar exhales softly. "They will break themselves before they break that line."
“You say that as though the decision is already yours to make,” the Sovereign says.
A pause.
“I have told you more than once to take the Sovereign’s seat. It does not become optional with delay.”
The Duke's attention shifts to me then, measuring. "I do not believe we have been introduced. A friend of yours?" Directed at Colsar.
"My wife," Colsar says. A pause. "My queen."
The correction is quiet and final. The Duke inclines his head at once. "My apologies, my queen."
"In Shalvar, news travels slowly because of the wards," Colsar adds evenly. "It is not yet common knowledge that I am married.”
"Of course," the Duke says, though his attention lingers a moment longer before returning to the table.
The conversation continues. They do not pause for me. They make room, which is a different thing entirely.
"And the transition?" the Duke asks. "Will it fall before or after the holiday?"
"After," Colsar says. "It always does."
Jessamy nods. "The timing has held for generations."
I glance between them. "The holiday?"
The conversation shifts just enough to include me. Colsar looks at me. "The night of transition. It marks when younger siakars and kyvarins begin their first full shift."
