“How much does she know?”
“Everything,” Aizel said. “Except for what you haven’t told me.”
Sol returned his gaze to Aizel, breathing slowly before he finally answered. “I’m on a mission for the Thorn.”
Aizel finally turned away from Sol. “His father led a rebellion group called River’s Thorn,” she explained. “But he was found out and taken when I was Celesta’s age. River’s Thorn disbanded after he was sent to the shipyard ...” Aizel paused, staring at Sol.
He said nothing, but dropped his eyes to the ground.
“It never disbanded. You’ve been leading the resistance this entire time?” Aizel’s arms were crossed.
Meena shrank back, glad she was not the recipient of Aizel’s glare.
“And youneverthought to tell me? I aided you. I frequently gave you pearls so you wouldn’t have to work extra shifts even if it meant coming below count onmine,so I had to sacrifice my break day. You didn’t think you could trust me after all that?”
Sol looked down, some remorse seeming to have gotten through to him. “He wasn’t sent to the shipyard.” His words were low and Meena had to lean forward to catch them.
Aizel opened her eyes a little wider. She said nothing as she waited for him to elaborate.
“He was taken.” Sol looked back up at Aizel, his face clearly pained, but not in a look of remorse. “It was too dangerous to involve anyone else.”
“I’m so sorry.” Aizel stepped forward to place a hand on Sol’s arm for a moment. Then her hands went back to her hips. “I still don’t forgive you for keeping this to yourself and not trusting me.”
“Thanks for the pearls over all the years,” Sol responded, talking over her. “I wasn’t a bad diver, I just often spent my time under, communicating with other members of the Thorn, or with Lady Robin.”
A small jabbing pain under her arm reminded Meena she was still holding the wooden chest. “Shall we take him up to the palace?” she offered.
Sol looked over at her again. “Will your king stand in the way of my mission?”
Though she was surprised by his bluntness, Meena responded as honestly as she could. “I cannot promise he will aid you, but I can promise he will not stand in your way.”
Sol dipped his head once in acknowledgment.
Deciding to hide the chest somewhere else, Meena carried it with her out of the tunnel. Not that she was scared of returning, she’d just had enough adventure in closed, dark spaces.
Chapter 8
Sol met the gaze of the Iseldan ruler without bowing. This man was not his king.
The sharp edge of the wooden crate poked into his thighs and he shifted his weight so he was partially sitting back and partially standing.
The king himself sat on a wooden chest across from Sol. The princess had arranged for this meeting to take place in an old tower room for the sake of privacy, but Sol instantly appreciated its lack of decorum as well. He was far more comfortable discussing plans in an unused storeroom than a throne room.
He’d been introduced to the other faces in the room—all members of the king’s family—but he kept his attention focused on the man who held the power in the room.
“You have information on King Gareth of Chendas?” the king asked him.
Sol nodded.
“In exchange for what?”
“Swift passage to the Falqri Fort.” Sol did not hesitate to share what he needed. He was already in enemy territory with little time to spare.
“And?” the king pressed further.
“And,” Sol responded, still not breaking the man’s shrewd gaze. “Access to someone who could get me inside the Fort would be appreciated.” No harm in asking if the man was offering.
The king exhaled slowly. “My standing in Falqri has somewhat lessened recently. I take no pride in admitting this pain. I know not whether I can offer this to you as I know not whether me and mine are welcome in a place that Chendas favors greatly.”
