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His smile held kindness, not mockery. “I believe I have an idea.”

Chapter34

Suspicions

Toren circled his office three times before he could clear his mind enough for rational thought. A body. Could his warrior have been mistaken? It was remotely possible, since the man had been forced to keep his distance to avoid detection, but Toren had the sinking feeling the information was absolutely correct.

He connected with Macoe again.“How long until they arrive?”

“A couple of hours, Your Majesty.”

The group must not have traveled much if at all after breaking camp this morning. Well, at least he wouldn’t have to wait too long.“Have them escorted immediately into the throne room. Consult with Mehl about which courtiers are to be allowed in, and ensure that there is at least one healer present.”

“As you will it, High King,”Macoe answered before disconnecting.

Mehl’s talent for observation would no doubt prove beneficial here. To confront Lord Aony without any nobles present would fuel the rumors to ridiculous heights, but if they were careful, they could fill the throne room with the most useful courtiers. They could also hide Princess Tes in the crowd. A risk, but it was their best chance to find evidence for her quickly.

Toren returned to Mehl and Ria beside the door. “Mehl,” he said. “Macoe will consult with you on the courtiers we’ll let in, but I have another idea to speak to you about.”

Mehl nodded. “It may align with mine.”

“I want the princess to see this,” Toren said, “If we can find a way to have her in the throne room without garnering attention.”

A smile crossed his husband’s face. “Somewhat aligned, then. Since Tes already knows about the secret tunnels, I thought to have her stand in the hidden observation point off the escape tunnel. Sir Macoe and Ria can accompany her.”

“Ria?” Uneasiness filled Toren at the thought. “Why?”

“We’ll want more than one witness in case the woman says something, and it prevents her from claiming mistreatment,” Mehl replied. “Ria is one of the very few here who know Tes’s true identity. Sending her with them makes the most sense.”

The sick feeling in Toren’s stomach didn’t abate. “Macoe is one of my most skilled warriors, but if something were to go wrong, it would leave Ria vulnerable to the princess. In the tunnels, no less.”

“I won’t be caught unprepared again,” Ria said, her hand settling over the hilt of her new dagger. “Mehl and I were just speaking of the plan, and I think it’s excellent.”

Toren couldn’t resist tracing his finger along her cheek. “You aren’t afraid?”

Although Ria shivered at his touch, she answered levelly enough. “Only a little. Last time, she hit me over the head when I wasn’t looking. I’ll be ready this time. And if she’s still bound in the magic-dampening chains, I won’t have to worry about spells, either.”

Hmm. A large part of Toren hated the idea. Abhorred it. But he couldn’t deny the logic of it. Princess Tes had spoken more to Ria than anyone, so if she were to let anything slip, it would be to her. And with the royal consort accompanying her, King Ryenil couldn’t claim that they’d left their precious “jewel” to the mercy of a soldier who might take liberties with the princess’s person. Macoe wouldn’t, but it would be his word against hers without a witness.

Toren pursed his lips. “We could watch her ourselves in the throne room without the risk to Ria, but your idea does have merit.”

“Won’t the courtiers notice Tes’s reaction if we’re standing in the throne room?” Ria asked. “She isn’t likely to remain silent for unexpected news.”

“And she might call out to her people.” Mehl pointed out. “We could have a mage cast a muting spell, but that would almost certainly draw attention. It is too rare to have mages lingering in the throne room unless there’s a major threat.”

Mehl’s hand settled on Ria’s lower back, forming them into an earnestly united front. Their arguments were well-made, but he almost hated to admit it lest he ruin their camaraderie. If there were more time, he might not have. But at his hesitation, Mehl’s forehead furrowed, and Toren could practically see the next line of reasoning forming in his husband’s head.

Quickly, Toren lifted his hands in defeat. “Very well. If a former bodyguard believes it safe enough, I’ll not argue. Provided the healer will be able to help the princess regain her strength before Lord Aony arrives.”

That was the primary risk to the success of their plan. Whatever news the Centoi duke delivered, Toren had no doubt the princess would need to hear it. Her strange weakness, though… He hadn’t thought her so drained of energy that she wouldn’t be able to tolerate the binding spell. It was a sadly amusing contrast—he’d had too much magic building inside himself to safelydothe spell, and she too little.

Although, he had to admit that at the moment he was strangely calm. Worry beat in his blood alongside excitement, but for some reason, the intense weight of his energy remained tolerable. And more importantly, controlled. Had he grown accustomed to the current level after so much stress these last few days? An intriguing thought, but one he didn’t want to test further.

“I don’t suppose you’ve arranged those bodyguards for me?” Ria’s brow wrinkled. “Now that I’ve stopped moving, I find that I’m rather hungry.”

Gods. None of them had managed breakfast, had they? Suddenly, Toren felt the full force of everything that pressed upon him, from his crown and court robes to the nagging hunger and exhaustion he’d been trying to ignore. Ah, how easy it would be to slump beneath the weight, but he couldn’t.

For himself, he might have—for his people, he never would.