“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Kade pushed away from his station, straight-backed and tense. He wrung his hands. “I didn’t—I don’t—I’ve never—”
“No need to freak out. It’s alright.”
“You tricked me!”
“Of course I did,” Porthos huffed. “If I came right out and asked you, you never would have told me the truth.”
Kade scowled.
“It’s your brother, right? The one who got you access. Killian del Torau, Captain of the King’s Guard.” Porthos shook his head, amazed. “I’d heard rumors, but I never thought my cousin would givehimsolo access. Killian’s way more connected than I ever expected.”
Killi was going to kill Kade for this. They already weren’t speaking andthison top ofeverything? Killi would lose all thetrust he ever had in Kade.
It was the top rule: no one can ever know they were there. And he just came out and exposed them.
Kade raked his hands through his hair. He had to fix this.
“You can’t tell,” said Kade, his voice shaking. “Killi—he…You can’t tell!”
“As if your brother would arrest you,” Porthos said in disbelief. “Relax, Kade. I’m not going to turn you in. I wouldn’t do that to you. I know how anal my cousin gets about his garden. He’d lose his mind knowing your brother took you inside.”
Kade groaned and dropped his head onto the table. “I’m so screwed.”
“You arenot. I’ve already said I’d keep your secret. Aren’t I such a good friend? So stop being so dramatic.” Porthos took Kade by the shoulders and shook him. “Seriously, calm down. Just breathe. Listen. No one’s being arrested. No one’s getting kicked out. We’re friends. You kept my secret, I’ll keep yours.”
“Right.”
“You don’t look convinced. Why?”
“… The king is your cousin!”
“Exactly! Which is why I know better than most that it’s best he never finds out about this. For yours and your brother’s sake.”
Kade let his head fall back and groaned.
Porthos bit his lip. Hesitant.“If you want a guarantee, I’ll make you a deal.”
Kade perked up. “What kind of deal?”
“Fyar’s garden was originally his mother’s, she was the one who started the collection, but after her death, my uncle let Fyarhave free rein.” Porthos pinched Kade’s lips together. “Shhh. Just listen. It’ll make sense. Anyway, back when Lyra and I used to live in the palace, Fyar let us come and go from the garden as we pleased. That changed when my family moved west, but there was this flower that we used to make tea from. It’s delicious, a delicacy, but it’s not native to Netyere. This plant isnowhereto be found…except Fyar’s garden. Are you seeing the issue?”
“I think I’m beginning to.”
“My proposition to you is: I will take a vow of silence, not one soul will ever hear from me that you were ever in that garden, in exchange for a few cuttings of that flower. Just enough to steep a few cups of tea.”
Kade took a moment to think. A vow was a surefire way to keep Killi safe. “You have a deal.”
Porthos smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Excellent.”
“What’s this flower and where do I find it?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
KILLIAN WAS STATIONED at the doors of the great hall. The guards held tall, pointed spears tight at their side along with their usual swords, alert and listening intently to the king’s address.
At the head of the room, Fyar stood behind a long table, covered in the finest food and drink that Netyere offered. Local delicacies made from freshly harvested produce. Fruits of all colors, finely cut and presented. The same long tables stretched around the perimeter of the large hall, the middle carved out for dancing. Each table sat the upper echelon of Netyere’s society. The nobles. The aristocracy. The court and council.
They had arrived in droves, carriage after carriage adorned with the most ornate silvers and golds, pulled by Netyere’s finest horses. Killian had watched, perched on the steps next to Fyar, welcoming them and ensuring their safe arrival.
