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So he stiffened his spine and led the way to the dining room. Too bad the rest of his problems weren’t as easy to solve as simple hunger.

* * *

At breakfast,they’d discussed every possible scenario they could think of, but Ria still felt jittery with nerves when they re-entered Toren’s office to retrieve Mehl’s formal overrobe. It couldn’t be long before they needed to take their places in the throne room—or in her case, the secret tunnel. According to the latest report, Lord Aony would be here within the hour.

But would Tes be ready?

The healer had sent word that he would escort the princess to the office himself, but the two of them still hadn’t arrived. How long had it been? As Toren helped Mehl straighten the wrinkles from his robe and smooth his hair, Ria eyed the door. She didn’t recall it being such a long walk. It wasn’t a good sign of the princess’s recovery.

Why do I even care?Ria found herself wondering. An excellent question that she didn’t have the answer to. By all logic, she should have been happy that the woman who’d abducted her was too weak to hurt her again, but instead, a ball of worry lodged in Ria’s gut. It made no sense.

Maybe it was that hint of hope and optimism that surrounded the woman? Ria might have dismissed the blend as naiveté, but there was too much bitter darkness in the princess’s voice when she spoke of her father for that. Besides, Tes’s talent for blending in suggested she was far more familiar with hiding than a princess should need to be.

Or so Ria assumed, never having been one.

The door opened, and Sir Macoe entered. The healer followed, Tes leaning heavily against his arm. Four guards slipped in after to surround the group, but Ria suspected it was unnecessary. Although Tes’s skin had some color to it now, there was still a fragility to her demeanor that suggested she wouldn’t be fighting anyone.

“I have brought her as promised, Your Majesty,” the healer said. “However, I must recommend that I remain. I don’t know what you have planned, but the lady is in too delicate a condition to withstand much.”

Toren’s brows shot up. “I’m hardly intending to torture her. In fact, unless she attempts to hurt another, no one will touch her at all except to offer physical support. She should face nothing more strenuous than listening.”

Tes herself stared at the floor, but the healer’s expression was upset enough for the both of them. “Considering current events, that alone could cause harm. These chains barely allow enough energy for a woman in her condition.”

As Toren spoke to the healer, a sudden suspicion had Ria peering closely at the princess. Was it annoyance or embarrassment prompting the flush spreading over Tes’s face? Her shoulders were curled in a little, her head slightly bowed. With her left hand, she gripped the healer’s arm so tightly her fingers were pale, but her right hand was curled over her stomach.

Tes was with child.

No. No, Ria had to be wrong. It would make even less sense for her to be here in that case. Why would she have taken such a risk? Why would Prince Ber have encouraged it? The pregnant princess of Centoi, the king’s own heir, would not have put herself in this much danger, especially not for the sake of a royal consort.

“I will not allow your interference,” Toren said, the hum of his energy increasing as he stared coldly at the healer. “You may remain outside the door, however. Macoe will support her while the rest of you leave.”

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

The healer’s tone could have cut a piece of Ria’s thickest fabric, but the man bowed smoothly enough before allowing Sir Macoe to take Tes’s arm. As he stepped back, Ria caught Mehl’s eye, and the others’ movements faded from her attention at the pain she saw there. He’d gone so pale that for a moment, she feared that he’d been injured, but a quick scan of his body revealed no sign of that. What was it, then?

The door clicked shut, and Ria blinked. It was only the five of them now. Even the extra guards had gone. For a heartbeat, they stared at one another—all but Tes, whose gaze remained locked on the floor. Then Toren took a step forward.

Mehl grabbed Toren’s arm. “Wait, Tor.”

“What is it?” Toren demanded, his brows pinching together.

A question Ria wanted to ask herself.

Mehl slipped in front of Toren, half blocking him, but his gaze was on Tes. “How far along are you?”

The princess’s head jerked up, and her mouth dropped open. Just as quickly, she pinched her lips closed, a hard look entering her eyes. Would she refuse to answer? It hardly mattered—her reaction was telling enough. But why was Mehl so upset?

Toren pushed past his husband, and his expression was just as hard as Tes’s eyes. “You believe she is with child?”

“What other delicate condition would have the healer this concerned?” Mehl’s expression turned grim. “And I fought with her. Broke her hand. Had I known…”

“You would have let her go,” Toren finished.

So that was it. Ria’s heart melted a little at Mehl’s distress. But Tes still hadn’t confirmed their suspicions, and from her expression, the princess might never do so. What was she hiding? There was so much buried beneath her unyielding façade, and for once, Ria saw no hint of the kindness that had led her to attempt her “rescue.”

Ria eased closer to Sir Macoe and the princess, and Tes’s wary look saddened Ria in a way she couldn’t explain. “Why won’t you admit it? Toren need only ask the healer for confirmation.”

The princess shook her head. “I bound my secrets safe until you’ve given me proof. Until then, I have no reason to trust you.”