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“I couldn’t bear to sleep while Toren was in danger.” Ria gave his arm a comforting squeeze. “But I would have told you had it been much longer.”

With asnapthat drew everyone’s eye, Ryssa secured the lid of her sewing basket and then stood. The princess was no fool, and based on her tight expression, she’d no doubt realized that Toren wouldn’t discuss the meeting around her. But why? Had he learned something terrible?

What didn’t he want the princess to know?

“I confess Iamtired,” Ryssa said. “Shall we?”

It was a quiet, awkward walk to the princess’s chamber.

* * *

Part of Mehllonged to pace their sitting room the way he had Toren’s office, but his restlessness was overridden by the feel of Ria snuggled against his side. He half-reclined on the sofa, Ria stretched out beside him. She’d nestled her head against his collarbone, and he’d draped his arm around her shoulders to hold her close. Though her breathing had slowed as if she’d fallen asleep, her fingers rubbed absent patterns across his chest.

“How long does it take to write ‘shove off’ in formal decree form?” Ria mumbled.

Despite himself, a smile curved his lips. “Ridiculously long, it seems. Although I doubt that’s what he’ll say. Severing the alliance suddenly would be a disaster for our people.”

“What do you think he’ll do?”

“Come up with some politely coded way towarnKing Ryenil that hewillbe told to shove off if he doesn’t straighten up.” Mehl curled his arm beneath hers so he could settle his hand against her belly. “I hope Toren teaches that skill to our children, for it is not one I possess.”

Ria chuckled. “Nor I.”

They fell silent. Waiting. Just waiting. He half-expected her to bring up Toren’s meeting with Ber, but she seemed more inclined to rest than to speculate. If that was what she needed, Mehl wasn’t going to interfere. It had been a cursedly long day, andhewasn’t even growing another life.

When Toren finally entered, though, Ria sat up, her elbow forcing a gasp from Mehl’s lungs. “I thought you were asleep,” he said.

“Only dozing.” Her eyes were heavy-lidded, and her hair tangled down her back. But her focus was sharp on their husband. “I have to hear what happened.”

Mehl rested his hand on her waist as he stared up at Toren. “We’re in accord there.”

Their husband dropped into the seat closest to the sofa and scrubbed his hand across his face. “You won’t like it, but not for the reason you might expect.”

“What, then?” Mehl asked, bracing himself.

“Ber claims it’s Ryenil who wants me dead,” Toren replied. “And that he sent Tes here because he knew we would hide her. He said he went to the Centoi court as a spy for mother and issued the challenge because he learned Ryenil wanted to have me assassinated if I wouldn’t marry his daughter.”

Helpless anger bloomed in Mehl’s chest like fire. He’d known the prince would try to sway Toren with some sympathetic tale or manipulative claim. This sounded like both. Gods curse that traitor. No wonder Toren had radiated doubt.

“Why not ask Tes?” Ria shifted, and a strand of her hair caressed Mehl’s hand. “Wouldn’t she at least know if her father had tried to form a betrothal between her and you?”

Toren tipped his head against the back of the chair. “Ican’task. For his cooperation tonight, I’ve given my oath to tell only you two, at least for the next year. He wants to keep her ignorant of his intentions, good or ill.”

More doubt.

“Is there any question his intentions are ill?” Mehl ground out.

His husband sighed. “I know what you’re going to say, but…I’m not sure anymore. He said he expects her to kill him for what he’s done, but he wants her and their child safe, regardless. If you’d seen the look in his eyes…”

A sudden worry chilled Mehl’s blood. “Gods. You didn’t confirm that she’s here, did you?”

Toren lifted his head to glare. “Of course not. Yes, I want to believe my brother, but have some faith in me. If what he claims is true, he’ll have much to atone for. And even if he manages atonement, I’m not sure I’d ever fully trust him again. However, I can no more dismiss the possibility that he’s telling the truth than I can the likelihood that he lies. Ryenilhasbeen acting strange, and I cannot afford to ignore him if he’s a threat.”

A solid point. Mehl let his eyes slip closed and tried to tamp down his anger. He’d spent more centuries than he wanted to contemplate watching Ber lead Toren around by his softer emotions, but in this case, Toren was right. Mehl couldn’t allow anger to cloud his judgment, either.

Which meant he might have to give the traitor a chance.

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