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“Venne will talk,” was Gustav’s grim promise.

“And if he doesn’t?” Avera countered. “What if, like the duke, he dies before he can be questioned? We’ll have lost our advantage of surprise.”

“He’s planning to have you killed,” Gustav reminded.

“But because we are aware, we can take measures to counter their plan.” Avera tucked her hands behind her back as she paced. “We must figure out who Venne was speaking to.”

“You said their voice was familiar,” Josslyn replied. “Meaning they’re most likely someone who is often at the palace.”

“Hundreds of people come in and out daily,” Gustav reminded.

“But most wouldn’t have the status to even think of taking the throne,” Avera softly murmured. “It narrows down the scope of our search.”

“We don’t have much time to root them out. The coronation is in days, and they were speaking of murdering you before then. I’ll put a shadow on Venne, see where he goes, who he talks to. In the meantime, you don’t leave the palace and you go nowhere without me,” Gustav ordered.

Avera rolled her eyes. “Lovely.”

Even Josslyn found fault. “If you start clinging to her again, those plotting might notice.”

“I won’t leave her vulnerable,” was Gustav’s stony reply.

“What if the admiral was sent on a mission at sea?” Josslyn tapped her lower lip. “Remove him from Daerva entirely.”

“How does that flush out his partner in crime?” Avera asked, wondering at her suggestion.

“This person is counting on the admiral to help. But if Venne isn’t around, they’ll be forced to act on their own.”

“I doubt they’ll do the deed themselves,” Gustav countered.

“What if instead we tried to spring their trap?” Avera suggested. “They spoke of causing an accident. What if I put myself out there, looking vulnerable, and?—”

“Use you as bait?” Gustav arched a brow. “Do you want to die?”

“No but hear me out. I go out riding alone. Make myself a target.”

“A queen doesn’t ride alone,” Gustav interrupted.

“I could go with her. A queen with her duchess, out taking some air,” Josslyn offered.

“Without guards?” Gustav kept poking holes in Avera’s idea.

It led to Avera waving her hands. “Of course not as then they’d know it was a trap. I’d go out with a pair of rooks kept at a distance, but in sight. You and more soldiers would shadow us from afar to see who follows.”

“That would be fine if they meant to attack, but they spoke of an accident. Given your love of riding, it would be simple to plant a hazard meant to throw you from your horse.”

“I’m not so clumsy and neither is Luna,” Avera huffed. She’d been riding since a child, and her steed never balked when it came to jumping.

“It’s too dangerous.” Gustav shook his head.

“Would you feel better if she took to standing on the ramparts, waiting to see if someone shoved her off?” Josslyn crossed her arms. “Or perhaps slipped and drowned in her tub, or were you planning to watch her bathe to ensure no one is there to hold her under?”

A red-cheeked Gustav blustered, “I’d check the chamber first, and no standing in high places.”

“Forever?” Avera countered.

“You’re assuming whoever will try and cause an accident will be one of the traitors. More likely it will be a hired hand, someone dispensable, which won’t bring us any closer to finding out who is behind the coup.”

Gustav’s point couldn’t be ignored. Avera sighed. “Perhaps you are right, and we should arrest Venne. Question him until he gives up a name.”