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“Because the King’s Justice can’t go soft overnight. The people are already emboldened. No one would havedaredto attack me inpublic a few weeks ago.” He makes an aggravated sound again. “This was so much easier as outlaws.”

I want to disagree with him, but I can’t. Itwaseasier. “No one trusts anyone now.”

He sits back against the cushions. “Welcome to life at court.”

I scowl. My fingers have ceased their trembling, but my insides feel tight and unhappy. “What happened with the ship from Ostriary? Did you really need me for something, or was that to get me out of the shop?”

“Oh. Yes. I want you to look at some flower petals and tell me if they’re truly Moonflower.”

“The palace physicians weren’t sure?”

“They are, but after they didn’t detect the difference in the petals Allisander was supplying to the palace, I still can’t decide if they’re incompetent or traitors.”

“Where did they come from?”

“Captain Rian Blakemore arrived with a chest full of them.”

“The emissary?”

“Thespy. His father was supposedly sent by my parents years ago. He says he has two dozen crates of Moonflower on his ship—and the means to get more. He claims that the king of Ostriary would like to begin trade negotiations, because they are lacking in resources for iron and steel. Kandala, of course, has quite a bit.”

There’s a note in his voice I can’t quite parse out. “You don’t believe him.”

“I’m not sure yet. But Harristan has invited him to dine with us.” He pulls a jeweled pocket watch out of his jacket and glances at the face. “We should arrive in time for you to prepare.”

My eyebrows go up. “I’m to join you?”

“I’ve surprised you again?”

“A little.”

“Quint will attend, too. Captain Blakemore has made more than a few references to myreputation, so Harristan felt it would do well to have you attend to keep the conversation a bit more …”

“Honest?”

Corrick smiles. “Social.”

“Will Harristan be bringing someone as well?”

“No.” He seems startled. “Haven’t you noticed? My brother never invites a companion.”

I hesitate. I haven’t been at court very long, but I’ve spent enough time in the palace that I’ve become accustomed to the usual players. Some of the consuls are married, like Roydan Pelham, an older man who’s rather devoted to his wife, while others seem to rotate through courtiers as regularly as I wash my face.

Until this moment, I hadn’t considered that Harristan never has someone at his side. I haven’t even seen him engage in so much as a casual flirtation.

Though honestly, the thought of Harristan doinganythingin a casual manner is almost laughable.

When the sector was under attack from the rebels, Harristan and I slipped through the woods of the Wilds together. He’d once told me that it was easy to love your king when everyone is well fed and healthy, but not so much when everyone is sick and hungry. Harristan is always stoic and reserved, but I remember seeing his composure crack, just a little, when I told him thathecould be loved.

Corrick watches me work through this in my head. “He doesn’t trust anyone, Tessa. Too many people have tried to take advantage of us.” He pauses, and his voice drops, even though we’re alone.“And it would be difficult to keep his lingering illness a secret. I don’t think he’d allow anyone to get close enough.”

That makes me sad. I can’t chase Lochlan’s comments out of my head, so I find myself asking, “What about you? Any frequent companions for the King’s Justice?”

I’m trying to keep my tone light, but he holds my gaze, and I know he hears the true question there. “Ah, Tessa.” There’s something simultaneously wicked and warm in his eyes. “No one dared, until you.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Corrick