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“No,” I say. “You don’t need to apologize.”

“Will you discharge Captain Huxley?”

“I’ve considered it.” I pause. “If I do, I worry that it may tip myhand too quickly. Anyone he’s working with will better hide their activities.” I think of how Thorin said they know about Huxley’s ear for gossip, how they’ve closed ranks. I wonder how tight that circle is.

“Arella will surely deny all of it,” Quint says. Hetsks. “Do you have any idea how they planned to explain how you’retrickingthe people?”

“Tessa’s medicine?” I guess. “But Lochlan already implied that the people were worried. They don’t need Captain Huxley to reinforce it. What could the end goal be? To simply spur revolution? The crowd wasn’t organized. They scattered when the night patrol arrived.”

“It takes more than the promise of gossip to unite people,” Quint says. “For as much as Corrick hates Lochlan, the people were willing to follow the rebel’s lead when he offered a new path.” He pauses. “Just as you allowed him to be a part of your negotiations—and sent him away on Captain Blakemore’s ship.”

That’s all true—and there’s something about that simple leadership that I envy.

“Tessa once said that we could be loved,” I say to him. “She said that we hide the truest parts of ourselves. Do you agree with that, Quint?”

A line forms between his eyebrows, and he looks half-amused, half-sad. “Is this a trick question, Your Majesty?”

“No.”

“Then … yes. I agree with every word.”

When I say nothing, he rushes on. “We’re riding in a carriage after your attempt to hide yourself among the people ended in peril.” He pauses. “After Prince Corrick’s attempts to do the same ended in revolution.”

That’s true enough, I suppose.

“I have another question,” I say. “This one isn’t a trick either.”

Quint nods. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Do you think I hide behind my brother’s viciousness?”

He inhales as if he’s going to offer platitudes, but I hold his eyes, and he goes very still.

That’s answer enough. I speak into his silence. “So you think I’m a coward.”

“What?” He looks a bit incredulous. “No. Certainly not.”

His answer is quick, and I frown. “Why not?”

“You have to ask mewhy? I watched you face down the rebels in the square when they were shooting consuls and throwing fire at you. You were safe in the woods after they laid siege to the palace, and you tookone guardto confront them all.”

“In all truth,” I say, a bit chagrined, “I expected to find more on the way.”

He doesn’t smile. “Corrick boarded that ship because he doesn’t want to disappoint you. Before we learned of Violet’s claims, I think Thorin was ready to walk every trail of the Wilds until he found you. Tessa stood by your side because she believes you truly want to better Kandala.” He pauses. “Cowardice does not breed this kind of loyalty.”

“Yet you believe I hide behind my brother.”

“No. I believe you allow his actions to speak for you.”

I almost flinch.

“Forgive me,” he begins.

“Don’t apologize,” I say. “I’m glad you’re being forthright with me.”

And I am, I realize. I’ve spent months—no,years—guarding mythoughts and my actions, not allowing a shred of vulnerability to reveal itself. Not even in front of Corrick.

How did I seem?