Page 130 of Sworn to the Shadow Throne

“And King Gruffid died within a season of her because they were bonded…” I said sadly. “Does Owain know about this? We only spoke of it briefly.”

Reina shook her head. “He was a child. I refused to poison his grief with speculation.” Her gaze hardened. “All I have is a scrap of enchanted fabric covered in her blood. Accusation without evidence is a quick way to die at this level of society. And it wouldn’t bring back either of his parents. But this new device,” she said, voice low, eyes boring into me, “could be evidence.”

My stomach dropped. “You believe they’re doing the same thing to King Berian?”

“Naturally.” The word was laced with steel. Reina made a restrained, humorless sound. “Thibault’s underestimation of you might just be the key to stopping them from doing it again.”

Now my stomach was doing flips. “You intend to move against the Assembly?”

“I intend to protect my family,” she corrected. “All of them.”

Her eyes held mine for a moment longer than necessary.

The word family hung in the air between us. I thought of the diadem still cool against my brow. Of the dresses in my room. Of every careful, expensive, specific thing she’d done since the moment we met.

But I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t sure I could.

While I was overwhelmed by the unexpected return of something I’d believed lost forever—and wanted more than anything—Reina moved on as though she hadn’t just rearranged pieces of my heart.

“But protecting them will be complicated by the fact that I received word while you were at lunch that the Assembly has already dispatched a conclave here.”

The room seemed to tilt.

“For…?” I asked, though I knew.

“For you. And it’s led by the Assembly’s most notorious mage hunter.”

The title settled between us like the edge of a drawn blade already in motion.

Reina’s gaze didn’t move from mine. “His name is Vaustin Maeron, and he’s a sadistic shit with enough power to get away with murder. Chances are, he’s the man who ordered Owain’s caravan attacked.”

Somewhere outside, beyond the keep, a bell began to toll. Things were simpler for the peasantry. If you knew a man wanted you dead, you certainly weren’t expected to welcome him into your home as an honored guest. Maintaining the appearance of ignorance was politically necessary, so Owain and the rest of us had to keep up the facade, hoping to beat them at their own game.

“Here’s something to help deal with that.” Reina finally opened the small box she’d kept on her person since we’d left the jeweler. She produced a ring of gold with an enormous emerald in the center that emitted a soft magical hum. She presented it to me without ceremony.

I turned it over in my hand, inspecting it with delicacy. “Is this going to blow up?”

Reina smiled. “Good guess.”

“How long do we have until I might have to use this thing?” I asked.

“My spies said he was closer than Caervorn. If the conclave rode hard…” She glanced toward the narrow window, her jaw tightening. It was the first time I'd ever seen her look afraid. “Until tomorrow.”

Chapter 36

Owain

The belltower bell chimed, signaling that dinner was an hour away. My days had become a harsh duality: half spent beating my body into submission training with the men so I didn’t follow Luna around like a lost puppy, the other half surrendered to the chains confining me to a desk. Before me sat a daunting stack of papers, the scent of old ink lingering faintly in the air. Some of it was correspondence, but most were orders requiring the regent’s signature.

Reina sat on the other side of the desk, smiling broadly. “She said she couldn’t decide if I reminded her more of a dire wolf or a rabid badger!” I‘d never seen my aunt laugh with such unrestrained mirth. “I like her, Owain.”

Me too.

“So,” I ventured, shuffling one document aside as if that might make the pile smaller. “We get only one night off before the Assembly arrives.”

“Stop acting as if I still rule your schedule.” Her tone carried more amusement than reprimand.

“Except my life is much easier if I do. One man can’t do everything to run a kingdom alone.” I shrugged. “So?”