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This time, Kallie didn’t bother muffling her chuckle as she released the pull on her gift. While Kallie had strengthened her connection to her gift when she had visited the Whispering Springs in Pontia, she would rather not overuse it so carelessly, especially when Phaia seemed more than willing to discuss Rian without it.

“And besides his appearance?”

Phaia’s brows bunched together in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Kallie huffed. The servant was oblivious.

“What is hismindlike, Phaia?” Kallie asked.

Phaia pulled at her lip as she thought. “Well . . . he’s kind.”

“Kind?” Kallie pulled Phaia closer to her, nodding. “We can work with that.”

Phaia cast Kallie a cursory glance, and Kallie pushed forward. “What else?”

“He’s loyal. King Rian is always thinking about his family and his people first. King Lothian was a good ruler, but sometimes he got caught up in all the politics. If I am to be honest, Prince—I meanCaptainSebastian inherited that trait, but King Rian did not. He truly cares.”

At that, Kallie was thankful Sebastian had been born second and not given the throne. To marry him was a thought that made her stomach churn. Yet the king was not asgoodas Phaia believed, Kallie thought as she recalled that first night.

After a moment of silence, Phaia asked, “Have you not met King Rian yet, Princess?”

Kallie bit down on her cheek before saying, voice terse, “Unfortunately, our schedules have not aligned.”

Phaia shrugged. “Ah. That’s not surprising. He’s a very busy man.”

“So I’ve been told,” Kallie said under her breath.

Phaia continued, “And private. He likes his space and the quiet. He’s often in the family’s library if he’s not stuck in a meeting with one of his advisors.”

“And his advisors—were they too changed after King Lothian’s passing?”

“I do not believe so. The Queen Mother remains one of his closest advisors, alongside Jacquin, Harold, Florence, Draxin, and others, most of whom were chosen by the former king, I believe.”

“Most? But not all?” Kallie asked. It was strange that Rian would be more suspicious of the servants than of the advisors. Kallie’s initial thought would have been to question those closest to the king, not the servants.

Phaia nodded. “Yes, King Rian chose his right hand, a friend he grew up with. Lorince trained with the king when they were both young boys, I believe.”

Kallie glanced up at the king’s tower. Perhaps it was time she finally met her betrothed.

“As one of King Rian’s chosen staff members, do you see him frequently?”

Phaia tipped her head up in thought. “I would not say frequently, but at least once a day.”

Kallie nodded. “Can you deliver a message to him?”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

Kallie smiled. “Tell King Rian his bride requests his presence at dinner tomorrow night.”

Chapter8

KALLIE

The glass bottlewas a stone against her bosom, frigid and piercing despite its smooth surface.

She had no more time to lose.

In the cover of darkness, she crept through the halls and willed confidence in her quiet steps as her heart thumped in her chest.