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It wasn’t their usual heated frenzy—but she drifted off to sleep in sated contentment anyway.

* * *

Despite a night spent curled aroundeither Ria or Toren, conflicting emotions still simmered deep in Mehl’s gut as he sat upon his throne. Yes, he had faith in Toren, but he also knew his husband’s weakness—an understandable one, in truth. Though Mehl didn’t have a twin, he did have a sister, and it would take a great deal for him to believe she’d betrayed him. The very thought brought him pain—as Ber’s betrayal did Toren. How could it not affect his husband’s perception of his twin?

While Mehl hadn’t lied last night when he’d said he wasn’t mad at Toren, the deep well of anger inside him was very real. But this fury was all for Ber, who’d hurt Mehl’s beloved time and time again. Ultimately, it didn’t matter if the prince turned out to be an ally. He would never forgive Ber for the wounds he’d inflicted on Toren.

It was inexcusable.

Morning court was a cesspool of nosy courtiers and opportunistic lordlings, all hoping for a sight of the disgraced Prince Ber. Those with scheduled petitions probably considered themselves lucky, for they had a perfect view of the Centoi contingent, including Ber, currently marching up the royal green runner. The nobles held their composure well enough, since most had been at dinner, but the pair of merchants awaiting their turn gaped openly from their spots in line.

Thanks to them, the tale of this meeting would spread throughout the city well before the midday meal. Mehl sighed. At least the rumors might be a little more accurate.

Ber halted at the base of the dais and bowed with his usual hint of mockery. Not a thing about his demeanor suggested he was an ally, not as he’d claimed to Toren. When directed to rise, the prince did so with a careless grin, and he waved his servant to his side without regard to protocol.

“I bid welcome to the emissaries of King Ryenil of Centoi,” Toren said, his voice almost bored as he flicked his fingers toward Feref. “Since you have far to travel, I will not keep you. Feref will give you my written reply to carry to King Ryenil. Please do so with my regards.”

Ber accepted the offered scroll with a smirk. The servant at his side lifted his hand as though to take the scroll from the prince—or so Mehl had assumed. Instead, the man held his cupped hand higher, revealing a tiny box tucked against his palm. Mehl tensed like the guards standing on each side of the dais. The spells imbued on the doors were designed to detect all magical artifacts, but mistakes were always possible.

“On behalf of King Ryenil, I present this gift to your esteemed husband, King Mehl,” Prince Ber said. “I’m afraid it was forgotten during yesterday’s…tensions. Unfortunately, the king does not have an equivalent offering for your betrothed, as the news of that happy event had not yet reached him. I’m certain he’ll send an appropriate gift in celebration.”

Everything about that little box heightened Mehl’s suspicions, but Toren merely inclined his head. “Please thank King Ryenil for his thoughtfulness. If you’ll give the box to Feref, he’ll deliver it to Mehl’s private rooms for later appreciation.”

After a magical examination, of course. Everyone in the room understood that. But even with that additional precaution, Mehl wouldn’t open it when anyone else was present. He eyed the box as Feref accepted it from the servant before returning to his usual place near the dais. Did the thing even open? It was too tiny to discern details from here.

Toren dismissed the Centoi contingent with a surprising lack of fanfare, and Ber behaved well enough that it might have been a normal state visit. But Mehl studied the prince’s every move. Not even the swish of his cloak went unnoticed as Ber marched back down the runner with the emissaries.

At the door to the throne room, Sir Macoe stood guard, and Mehl exchanged a knowing glance with him.Follow until Ber is out of the palace.Without so much as a nod, the captain spun on his heel and trailed after the departing group, a new guard slipping into his place so seamlessly that most wouldn’t even notice.

Mehl barely paid attention to the other petitions, his thoughts instead on the little box Feref quietly passed to one of the court mages for examination. It wasn’t unusual for visiting dignitaries to offer gifts to the High King’s spouse, but it was typically something sent by the husband or wife of that nation’s monarch. Otherwise, gifts were offered to the royal family as a whole.

But it wasn’t a strict rule. There would be no real breach in etiquette for King Ryenil to offer a gift to another monarch’s spouse, though Mehl had a feeling the king hadn’t been involved at all. This had Ber’s touch, and that meant that the box was probably dangerous.

When Toren stood, Mehl followed out of reflex, and he barely remembered retreating from the throne room to the small antechamber where Feref helped them remove their elaborate overrobes. But as soon as he’d stripped down to his tunic and pants, Mehl pinned the chamberlain with his gaze.

“Where did you have it taken?”

“In consult with a healer, the mage carried it to your private study for examination,” Feref replied. “I thought it better to have it there than a room shared with High King Toren or Princess Ria.”

Mehl nodded. “Thank you.”

Lips twisting in annoyance, Toren lifted a brow. “You’re not thinking to exclude me, I hope.”

“Thinking to?” Mehl braced himself for his husband’s displeasure, but it couldn’t be helped. “No, I have already decided most firmly to exclude you. Above all, you must be safe, and if there’s misfortune hidden in that box, I’ll not have you be the one to find it.”

“Mehl—”

“Give me this, Tor,” Mehl insisted. “I stayed behind while you met with Ber. Trust me with this.”

Toren’s frown deepened, and his energy pulsed. But he inclined his head. “Fine. So long as both mage and healer are present as safeguard.”

“Done.” Before Toren could think better of it, Mehl dropped a kiss on his husband’s lips and headed for the door.

It was time to find out what Ber had left behind.

Chapter61

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