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Essie wrapped an arm around his waist and leaned against him, trying to hold him together with her warmth and presence. “Thank you for that.”

“It was a surprise, understandably. But don’t worry, Farrendel,” Averett paused, waiting until Farrendel stirred enough to peek up at him. “You’re family. That hasn’t changed. Not one whit. The entire Escarlish royal family will stand by you through this.”

That was quite the promise Averett was making. The reputation of the entire Escarlish royal family would get dragged through the mud over this, and yet they had all agreed to endure this together.

“Thank you.” Essie wanted to hug all of them.

“The Tarenhieli royal family will also stand behind you.” Weylind didn’t so much as hesitate.

Even with both families rallying around him, Farrendel’s tension didn’t ease, and his breathing had gone from nearly hyperventilating to far too measured.

“Good. Not that I expected anything less.” Averett met and held Weylind’s gaze. “I hate to ask, but we’re going to need to know to get ahead of this. What is Farrendel’s status in the Tarenhieli line of succession, given his parentage? Would he actually be eligible to inherit the throne?”

“Yes.” Weylind’s answer was quick and firm, the lines in his face going hard. “It is so unexpected that an elf king should find himself in this situation that there is no law barring illegitimate children from inheriting. The council tried to badger both my father and I into passing such a law, but we refused. Farrendel is just as much the son of the elf king as I am. My father acknowledged him, claimed him, and gave him all the rights, privileges, and status due him. He is fourth in line to the throne of Tarenhiel.”

Farrendel stiffened. “It does not matter. I will never inherit. I do not want to inherit.”

Of course he didn’t. It would mean Weylind, Ryfon, Brina, and Jalissa had all been tragically killed somehow. If it ever happened, Farrendel would be such a wreck, he wouldn’t be in much shape to take the throne.

“I know.” Essie kept her voice soft as she kept that steadying arm around him. “I don’t want to inherit the Escarlish throne either, but it is still something that needs to be discussed.” She glanced up at Averett. “I don’t think Farrendel’s illegitimacy affects anything there, will it?”

Averett shook his head. “No. When you married Farrendel, it was written into the treaty that he could never be more than your prince consort. That was a concession to ease any fears about an elf gaining the Escarlish throne, but it will also aid our argument now. There are laws preventing someone of illegitimate birth from becoming king, but there are no laws stating that he can’t be a consort. Not that either kingdom will ever have to worry about such things.”

“But Parliament and the people like to be absolutely sure about their line of succession.” Essie grimaced. It was so enjoyable, having the court breathing down their necks.

Averett rubbed at his palm, not looking at Weylind or Farrendel. “And you are certain there are no other surprises? No half-siblings of Farrendel’s that might show up?”

Farrendel mutely shook his head.

Weylind also shook his head, shifting as if the topic made him rather uncomfortable. “My father made numerous inquiries. Farrendel has no other half-siblings. If anyone steps forward to claim such, we can prove through our healing magic if they are telling the truth.”

“Good. That is one concern we won’t have to worry about.” Averett glanced toward Edmund, and Edmund gave a nod. As if confirming that he had ascertained the same thing during his research into Farrendel while doing his intelligence work in Tarenhiel.

Essie glanced around the circle of them sitting there. “Do you think that Parliament will use this to undermine the treaty? I thought most of the disapproval for the treaty had died down months ago?”

“It has, but it never went away entirely.” Averett glanced from her to Farrendel. “There will be those who will claim that Tarenhiel pawned off a second-rate prince on Escarland. While I know that isn’t the case, it will help that Farrendel’s status is so secure.”

“The timing does seem suspicious.” Weylind’s mouth pressed into an even tighter line.

“I agree it’s suspect, and I’m looking into it.” Edmund’s jaw worked before he shrugged. “But as much as I hate coincidences, it could be just that. Farrendel’s illegitimacy is an open secret here in Tarenhiel. It isn’t too surprising that word made its way to Escarland as our kingdoms have become closer.”

It might have been inevitable, but Essie still hated it. Farrendel had found a freedom in Escarland that he’d never had in Tarenhiel. That was about to change. The same disdain for his tainted birth that he experienced in the Tarenhieli court would now follow him to Escarland.

“What’s the plan now?” Essie glanced around at the members of their families gathered there. “You have a plan, right? I assume that’s why you’re here.”

Edmund’s posture was only a little less rigid than Farrendel’s. “Yes, but you aren’t going to like it.”

* * *

Farrendel was going to be sick right there in front of their family. His head was light and buzzing, the tips of his fingers tingling. As quickly as he dragged in breaths, he could not seem to fill his lungs. He could feel the weight of the gazes fixed on him, but he could not raise his head to meet any of them.

Only Essie’s grip on his hand and her arm around his waist kept him on this side of flying apart.

“For the next week, we need you to make public appearances.” Averett’s tone somehow managed to be compassionate and firm all at the same time. “Both of you.”

The one thing Farrendel was incapable of doing.

But he was too frozen to do so much as shake his head in protest.