Page 12
“It will.” Moray finishes his wine and stands to refill his goblet. “It always does.”
Ignoring him, I forge ahead. “Commander d’Abella believes peace is achievable.”
Moray snorts. “Of course he does. Now that they lost a ship full of their best fighters, along with the heir to the throne. I’m sure he is desperate for it.”
I find myself defending Galfrid’s commander.
“Would we not do the same if over half a village was slaughtered in the dead of night? The Borderlands must be contained.”
“And the queen proposes to do that by unleashing Lord Whitley?”
He raises a good point. The once-powerful border lord has regained some of his former influence now that his lands have been restored. I understand Cettina’s reasoning—punishing Whitley also punishes her sister—but I wish she’d listened to the Curia’s advice.
A right mess, without a doubt.
“Whitley will be controlled.”
Moray looks as skeptical as I feel.
“But we need the Highlanders’ support.” Time to make my offer. “I will fight for you in the tournament. Cettina is prepared to offer you a large sum of gold as well.”
Sitting back, he actually seems to consider my offer. The gold would not be motivation enough for Moray. Backing Cettina will not garner him any favors with the other Highlanders . . . but he also desires to win here. Perhaps he wants it enough to tip the scales.
Suddenly, without warning, Moray smiles. The hairs on my neck rise up. I cannot remember the man smiling so broadly before, and my stomach lurches at the implications.
Slamming his goblet on the table, Moray leans forward and plants a hand on each knee.
“I care little for gold.”
I do not like his expression.
“But you do wish for your side to be victorious here?”
“I do. And it will.” A pause. “But I wish for something else more.”
I imagine Moray meeting with the Council at this very tournament. Returning to the capital to tell Cettina she has their support against those whose calls for war grow increasingly shrill.
I would give him anything.
“Name it.”
“I would see Reyne wed.”
I blink, unsure I’ve heard correctly.
“I would see our lands united, despite your father’s stubbornness.”
Moray’s land borders ours, and such a union would be advantageous to both families.
I think of Reyne. Of her as my wife. I’ve not considered the possibility before, but the idea is not without merit.
I also think of how Cettina might react.
“Wed my daughter. Unite our lands. I would welcome a man such as you into our family.”
Though honored and intrigued by the possibility, I do wonder one thing.
“How will Reyne feel about such an arrangement?”
