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She peeked at the crowd. Already, there were whispers and subtle gestures toward her bloodied gown. Did she actually have to lie to anyone about her pregnancy, or could she allow rumor to work for her for once? How often had she heard an innocent comment by a lady in her shop become something else later, returning twisted on the lips of a different woman?

That was how gossip flourished, after all.

“I don’t want to outright say anything,”Ria offered,“But allowing rumors to speak for us would be fine. Maybe if I stuck close to my rooms for a couple of weeks? Everyone would draw their own conclusions at my absence. And I certainly wouldn’t mind eating in private while I’m still suffering from so much nausea.”

Mehl nodded ever-so-slightly, his chin rubbing against her hair. Then he directed his attention toward Toren. “Do you think these two were associates of Vesset? It doesn’t seem like a coincidence that they would attack when we were about to bring the healer in for judgment,” he said aloud.

Her brow furrowed at the odd statement before she processed what he must be doing—providing a reason for both why they’d been in the throne room and why the intruders had tried to force their way in. Even the way the low pitch of Mehl’s voice managed to carry to the nearest courtiers seemed to be intentional. They would likely believe they had overheard something they shouldn’t have.

“I imagine so,” Toren replied, his voice only a touch softer. “Macoe will have the truth of it to us by tomorrow, if not this evening. That Vesset would harbor such ill-will over losing his bid to lead the healer’s guild… Well, we shall see if that was his motive. I can’t imagine what else would prompt such treachery.”

The whispers definitely intensified after that, but it wasn’t long before Mehl turned down another, quieter hallway. She didn’t lift her head, though. There were still plenty of footsteps, and even if the bulk of them were only from the new healer and a few bodyguards, Ria still felt exposed. Such scrutiny was not pleasant, not while she was being carried through the palace like a child.

Only the tingle of energy from the strong shields on the door told Ria when they entered the kings’ rooms.Hah. At least I won’t have to worry about eating in here,she thought with amusement. The shields’ ability to detect poison was what had brought her to this point in the first place. If she’d known what that moment would mean, would she have still brought the dye containing her own poison?

Toren brushed his hand along her hair in a quick caress as he slipped around them, and Ria smiled.Yes. Yes, I would.

Although there were no more crowds to see, Mehl lowered her gently onto the sofa and knelt in front of her. “Are you certain you feel well after so much spellwork?”

Ria shot a startled glance around the room at his mention of magic, but only Mery had followed them in. Apparently, the kings had meant what they’d said about giving the healer a chance to prove herself, or Mehl wouldn’t have mentioned the spell they’d done at all. Still, it would be best to remain circumspect until she knew for sure.

Before the worried frown could fully form on his brow, Ria nodded. “If there was any harm to me or the baby, I haven’t felt the effects,” she said.

Mery gasped. “Oh, the rumorsaretrue.” Then the healer pressed her fingers against her lips with a wince. “Which I should not have blurted out so casually. Forgive me, Your Majesties. Your Highness.”

Ria’s eyes met Mehl’s, and humor flickered between them. They’d both been a similar status as the healer, so they would be the last to be offended. Yet before either of them could wave off the so-called irreverence, Toren spoke up from his small desk in the corner.

“I realize Feref isn’t here to provide guidance, but do recall that I allow less formality when in private,” he said, his tone neutral. “And as Ria and Mehl are less inclined toward ceremony, you hardly need worry you’ll be sent to the dungeon for a casual observation.”

Mery pressed her trembling hands together in front of her waist. “Of course, Your Majesty. I will do my best to adapt quickly.”

The poor woman. Toren was doing his best to make Mery comfortable, and she was doing her best tobecomfortable—yet both were failing spectacularly. Ria understood, though. There was simply an air about Toren, a dauntless authority he wasn’t aware he exuded. Absolutely no one would be at ease around him after only an hour.

“Mery,” Mehl said. “Would you examine Ria, please? She is indeed pregnant, and we have just completed a complicated bit of magic involving a blood link. None of which, I might add, you are allowed to discuss with anyone. Not even with your brother, regardless of whether he learns the whole of it. Such secrets must not be overheard.”

Despite her obvious nerves, Mery dipped into a slight curtsey. “I give my word that I will tell no one. And it would be my pleasure to help Princess Ria.”

Ria found that she couldn’t be nervous around the young woman, not even after Vesset’s betrayal. With Mehl watching closely, his hand placed “casually” on the hilt of his dagger, Ria closed her eyes and let the healer do her work.

* * *

Silently,Mehl stood, easing back to give the healer room to work. Best he could tell, Mery did nothing untoward. Her energy remained steady, and Ria relaxed against the back of the sofa with no sign of concern. But he couldn’t seem to lower his vigilance, not even with the trust he was beginning to develop for the healer.

“She hasn’t taken the deep oaths yet, but I believe her to be as loyal as Macoe,”Toren whispered into his mind.“Do you still bear a great deal of doubt?”

Mehl released a soft sigh.“Not really, but it is difficult to let go of the fear I felt when I couldn’t rush forward to stop the attack. I’m not certain I’ve ever been so torn. But what else could I have done? If my attention had slipped any further and the magic had grown to be too much, all of you could have been lost.”

“Perhaps you should take Ria to the bathing room for a relaxing soak,”his husband suggested.“I’ll be writing out the line of succession as soon as Feref gets here with what I need.”

Mehl whipped around to glare at Toren.“You’re sendingmeto relax? You need an examination, too. And rest. If I’d been able, I would have carried you along with Ria.”

“Did you forget that there was an attack less than an hour ago?”Despite the snap beneath the question, Toren leaned back against his chair and rubbed at his eyes.“What happens if I am killed before creating that crucial document, Mehl? It must be sealed into law immediately. That is unavoidable. But in the meantime, it would bring me great comfort if you would see to Ria and yourself when I cannot.”

No matter how much Mehl wanted to argue, he couldn’t. None of them knew what would happen if Toren died without writing down the line of succession. Yet again, his husband would wear himself down for the kingdom, and none of the ungrateful wretches would know it.

Toren’s lips twitched.“A fascinating way to think about your own subjects.”

“I didn’t mean everyone,”Mehl said.“Only the ones whoareungrateful wretches.”