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He knew he could tell them who he was, but he had nothing to prove it was true. It would just be his word, and they didn’t know him from any other stranger who moved through these woods, many of them with sinister intentions. Rather than make any claim, he just said, “My actions will have to prove the truth.”

Tarley looked over her shoulder at him, as if he’d surprised her. For once.

“Go up,” Scarlett told Tarley, “but don’t overtax her. She’s recovering.”

Tarley turned to Lachlan and held out her hand. “Come with me.”

Lachlan took her hand.

“Wait,” Scarlett blocked the doorway. “You don’t know he’s safe–”

“I do.” Tarley refused to back down, and Lachlan had the impression he was witness to an epic battle of wills. “Mother. I need you to trust me.”

Scarlett narrowed her eyes and glanced at someone behind Lachlan, though he didn’t turn to see who it was. When she looked back at Tarley, she shifted to let them pass. Halfway up the stairs, Scarlett called, “We’re staying.”

Lachlan wanted to ask what was happening but was equally concerned that if he spoke, it would break the spell. Tarley’s hand was in his, she’d spoken up for him, she’d looked at him as if he mattered in her world. He didn’t want that to change.

“Tarley?”

She squeezed his hand. “It’s alright.”

Trusting that he was behind her, Tarley led him into the room of Queen Keyanna Rose Hollis. She was sitting up in bed, her sienna skin glowing with recovery but her dark eyes hollowed out with weakness. Her shrewd scrutiny tracked them across the room.

Tarley froze in place. “It’s you–” she breathed.

“The last I checked,” the queen said, her voice raw. Her eyes jumped to Lachlan, and he knew the moment she recognized him.

“Forgive me, your majesty.” Tarley curtsied.

“Up. Just Rose for now. I’m in disguise, you know.”

Tarley straightened and glanced at Lachlan, then back at the queen. “Yes. Rose.”

Keyanna’s brown gaze met his. “You don’t look like a Northman,” she said. “A horrible disguise with boots like those.”

Tarley’s hand flew up to cover her smile, and he caught the amusement in her eyes as she looked from his boots to his face.

Lachlan released Tarley’s hand and walked to the window, turned, and leaned. “I’m from the north. That’s all I said.”

“So it’s Ollie, I’ve been told?”

He didn’t look at Tarley, knowing she was about to find out just how much he’d duped her. But curiosity drove him, and when his gaze met hers, she wasn’t frowning. She had that gentle look once more, her features and eyes yielding.

“I know,” was all she said.

And Lachlan straightened and unfolded his arms, pushing away from the wall. “You know?”

She nodded.

“How?”

“I figured it out.” She sighed. “Plus, youdidtell me.”

The queen cleared her throat.

Lachlan tore his gaze from Tarley to look at Keyanna, whose gaze was jumping between them. “Forgive me. How are you feeling?” he asked.

“I have been better, cousin, as I’m told has been the same for you recently.” His nod seemed to be all the confirmation she needed. She turned to Tarley. “As I understand it, you saved this man.”