Page 118 of Sworn to the Shadow Throne

“They say she’s a Fae of legend.” He rushed the last words as though they were the most exciting thing ever to have happened to him. “Some of the men say they glimpsed her ears when she was tending the king. The other healer was there and saw it too.”

A faint murmur of agreement came from the others.

I locked my jaw so I wouldn’t say anything irredeemable, like ordering Thibault executed on the spot.

A second young man said, voice almost reverent, “They say her power was nearly divine. Like the stories.”

Each word sent a shiver down my spine.

Mystical. Other. Gods below, Lunette was being labeled a fairy tale come to life. Exactly the sort of person the Assembly would cage and call it protection.

I kept my breathing measured. Slow in. Slow out. Do not overreact.

The logical part of me appreciated the awe in their voices. That would keep interested eyes on Lunette. Many eyes on her would ensure that if anything happened, I’d know immediately.

Yet awe was just as dangerous as contempt when the wrong ears were listening. The Assembly didn’t need malice to act—only justification. Four soldiers openly marveling at a grand magus with Fae blood was justification enough to send a delegation with a writ of oversight.

I already hadn’t trusted Thibault. This put me in a dangerous position. A second, updated letter about her was probably already headed to Caervorn making her even more valuable in their estimation. I could probably count on one hand the days we had until Vaustin Maeron showed up with his traveling band of mage hunters.

It was too late to stop the rumor, but it was never too late to sway minds.

“The woman tending your king was summoned because she is exceptional at what she does. That is where your respect should lie, not in rumor.” I scanned each man, letting my gaze linger on each one. “Speaking of a woman’s lineage is beneath the dignity of men who serve this Crown.”

I was unable to prevent my jaw from clenching on the last word.

“Yes, sir,” they said as one.

I shifted my stance, projecting a calm I didn’t feel. “Magic is a responsibility in Larethia, not spectacle. Those who carry it serve the Crown as you do—with discretion and a mind for the greater good. I ask nothing of her that I do not ask of every one of you.”

My voice had hardened ever so slightly on the last. A hairline crack in my composure that hadn’t gone unnoticed—one of the four exchanged the briefest glance with the man beside him.

What I couldn’t say in front of dozens of men was that she’d been afraid of exactly this. That she’d rejected the idea of coming to the Tir in the first place for this exact reason. Now the world had proven her right.

I would spend whatever currency—gold, reputation, pressure—I had to in order to make it right.

“I understand the impulse,” I continued. “But we are better than that. Any tavern style gossip about women under my protection, even when you are not under my direct orders, will lead to serious repercussions. Am I understood?”

A chorus: “Yes, Your Highness.”

“There will be no further talk of this.” I let some warmth and humor enter my tone. “My own performance this morning was lackluster. Tomorrow, I will do better. I expect the same of you all.” I nodded decisively. “Dismissed. Wash up and report to the hall for noon-meal. You’ve earned it.”

Relief rippled through them. They saluted and dispersed. Only when they were out of earshot did I unclench my fists.

Camrick exhaled beside me. “You had me worried,” he murmured, “but that was almost normal Owain.”

I glanced at him. His posture hadn’t changed, but a faint shimmer of magic still clung to his fingers. Ready to bind. To shove. To shield.

“You were prepared to tackle me,” I said.

He pretended to ponder deeply, a furrow in his brow. “I was actually thinking of taking care of two problems with one blunt ice spike. A good whack would probably shut you up and break a bone. That way you’d be forced to see Lunette and calm the fuck down.”

A corner of my mouth twitched despite the storm still brewing inside me.

“The only people who could’ve started this rumor were the men on corridor guard rotation for Berian,” I said, my focus sharpening.

Camrick sobered instantly. “Let’s send out the summons now. I’d prefer to expedite whatever insane interrogation you have planned. I’m hungry!”

Camrick didn’t wait for my agreement before bellowing for a runner. Then we headed for our rooms. A quick wash was in order for both of us. The delay would have the added benefit of making the men sweat, which was exactly what I wanted.