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A few murmurs went through the small but ever-growing crowd, and Enry paled so abruptly that she had a moment’s fear he might faint. Thankfully, he steadied himself, because she wasn’t sure she could have risked stopping to help. Not with the avidly curious group pressing closer. If they didn’t get out of here soon, it might take Toren and Mehl themselves to disperse the crowd.

“I’ll speak to you later,” she assured him.

The guard wasted no time moving them forward after that. A few scowls and harsh words—and one sword being loosened in its scabbard—had them reaching the shop sooner than she could have managed on her own. But once they made it to the front door, Ria allowed herself a few moments to study the building’s façade, from the stone tiles on the roof to the freshly painted sign swinging beside the door.

So many memories, and few of them good.

Swallowing against the lump in her throat, Ria led the others inside. Then she had little time for reflection as she directed the servants in their work. There were completed orders to send to the appropriate customers—she assigned two people to box up the clothes and another two to deliver them—and countless bolts of fabric to properly store.

As that work began, Ria showed several more servants to the crates she’d packed the night before. “These will go directly to my rooms,” she said before glancing around at the remaining furniture. “The rest can stay for now.”

What should she do with it all? She’d planned to sell it before she left, and selling still seemed to be the best solution even though she was staying closer than she’d expected. But what about the shop itself? Did she want to close it entirely? Give up her talent for making designs come to life? Without her father to command her, they would behercreations for the first time in her life.

But selling clothes wouldn’t help her fit in with the nobility, and Toren might find it unseemly for the mother of his heir. Did she want to create clothing badly enough to deal with snide remarks and blatant disapproval? It was a question she couldn’t answer, at least not for the long term. For now, she needed to catalog all incomplete orders and have the necessary supplies sent to the palace.

Perhaps fulfilling that duty would reveal the truth of her feelings about her gift.

Ria had just given the final directions to the servants when the shrill sound of a horn cut through the walls and vibrated the windows. She rushed over to peer outside, just in time to see several warriors ride by with banners held high. A richly dressed man rode in the center, and the woman at his side lifted her bugle to her mouth to sound another call.

The group slowed, and Ria peered at one of the banners dancing gently around its pole. Purple and silver, with a stylized mountain in the center. Her blood chilled. That was the flag of Centoi—the kingdom that had given refuge to Toren’s brother.

Not good.

Chapter12

The Chambermaid

Toren tapped his fingers against the table, startling the scribe beside him. But Caidis was a steadier sort than Iyeth. She barely paused her writing as the advisors shared their observations in a more formal location than the lunch table. Not that they’d had much time at the latter. He would never force his servants to work harder because of his ill manners, so by the time Toren and Mehl had arrived, they’d all had to choke down cold food.

And now the endless deluge of problems.

“Accordingly,” Lord Aievo said, “we will need to replace both ships sooner rather than later. Lady Meble intends to order the required timber from the western forest.”

Toren leaned forward. “The Howling Woods? No.”

Lord Aievo was an excellent advisor when it came to trade, but other segments of the kingdom often went unconsidered. “Your Majesty?” he sputtered. “The Howling Woods possess fine, straight trees that make excellent lumber. Several ships have been created from their wood.”

Things like diplomatic relations. “That is precisely the problem. We are granted a certain number of unclaimed trees by the dryads, and we’re nearing that quota already. Two ships worth? No. Coordinate with Lady Iryne to have timber teleported from Honor’s Forest to the south and The Merry Woods to the east.”

Aievo sucked in a breath. “Ah, the costs…”

“I will bear them myself if need be.” Toren’s nostrils flared, his patience slipping. “We will not break our word to the dryads.”

Perhaps sensing his anger, Lady Iryne was quick to turn an admonishing glance Aievo’s way. “I am certain the mages guild will be willing to assist for a reasonable price, particularly if the alternative risks a conflict with dryads. Earth and nature mages would suffer greatly were that to occur. I will speak to them.”

“You will carry my recommendation with you.” Toren nodded toward the scribe. “If you would pen such, Caidis? A copy each for Lord Aievo and Lady Iryne.”

Caidis pulled a few pieces of clean paper from the stack. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

Beneath the table, Mehl’s hand squeezed his leg in a show of support, but only when Lord Aievo gave his consent did Toren fully relax. His brother’s threats had him too on edge if a minor challenge like this had his temper so close to slipping. His trade advisor always grumbled about costs. Nothing new about that.

As soon as Caidis finished, Toren read over her words, nodded his approval, and then waited for her to write out the second copy. But he’d barely managed to sign his name and harden the seal on both when the door opened to admit Feref. Toren’s blood chilled at the tense worry on the man’s face. Had something happened to Ria?

“Forgive me, Your Majesties. Ladies and lords.” Feref bowed. “I regret the interruption, but I’ve just received word that a contingent from Centoi just reached the palace gates. I have no doubt they will seek an audience momentarily.”

Mehl’s fingers spasmed around Toren’s leg. “Centoi?” Mehl demanded.

Toren wanted to ask much the same, but shock left him grateful that his husband had beat him to it. Could Ber have come already? His missive had said he would arrive within the year, not a handful of weeks. Of course, it could be a coincidence. Ber had fostered in Centoi in his youth, and the king had taken a liking to him. That was true. However, there were plenty of reasons for King Ryenil to send an envoy beyond the fact that Ber was currently staying at his palace.