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“We should turn back and find a different trail,” Tes said softly.

Ber nodded. “Let’s—”

“No, you won’t,” a firm male voice interrupted. Suddenly, a man separated from the shadows just ahead. “You’re supposed to follow me, Your Majesty.”

The honorific was a good sign, but the rest of the scenario was foreboding. “Why should we trust a stranger in the forest?” Ber demanded.

“You shouldn’t.” Another step brought the man’s face into the light. Sir Owein. “But I have hope you’ll be able to trust me.”

Ber’s sudden, sharp oath made that doubtful.

It took allof Ber’s willpower not to attack first and ask questions later. Even so, he drew the pair of knives he’d concealed beneath his tunic. “What are you doing here?”

Owein chuckled. “So much for hope.”

“Your lack of a proper answer hardly gives me a reason to trust,” Ber said.

“I suppose so,” the other man replied. “But I’d hoped to speak more around a nice fire with dinner in hand, not in the middle of this eerie trail.”

How could Owein expect any such thing? The last time they’d seen one another, it had been at the palace training grounds when Ber had asked him to investigate any concerning rumors. There’d been no signs then that the man had any affiliation with House Aony, yet now he was supposedly part of the duchess’s army?

“You’ll have to give me something.”

“Fine.” Owein shook his head. “If you’ll recall, I was the one who mentioned that Duke Aony had a sister. That’s because I already knew her.”

Tes slipped up beside Ber. “Did you suggest she marry the king? Because that was hardly a friendly thing to do.”

“She knew that was her brother’s intention,” Owein replied, shrugging. “It made no difference what I said.”

And it was true that it wouldn’t have. Anyone who’d ever seen Lady Selesta would have known immediately what would happen as soon as the king laid eyes on her. Even so… “It’s suspicious that you’re here on this empty path.”

“It isn’t terribly far from camp, and there are others stationed along other trails like this one. Unobtrusive ones.” The man’s nose wrinkled. “I should have known you’d choose the creepiest of the lot.”

Ber debated the man’s words and weighed them against the trust he’d almost built for him. He’d been willing to accept that Owein might discover rumors without betraying him to the king. He might as well see where the man would lead them.

“Fine,” Ber said.

But as Owein gestured for them to follow, Ber connected mentally with Tes.“I’m not sure we can trust him.”

“He has done dark deeds for my father.”

Ber grimaced into the dark.“So have I.”

“But I know your motivations,”she said, squeezing his hand.“I don’t know his.”

He considered all he knew about the man before finally giving an answer.“The possibility of trust exists.”

“At the moment, that may be the best that we can do,”Tes replied.

Ber had the sinking feeling that she was right.

Chapter 54

Campfire Meetings

Ber didn’t sheath his knives as they followed Owein into the clearing at the end of the path. It was an almost cozy space, though there was ample room for seating and a separate area for the horses. At a campfire smoldering in the center, Lady Selesta sat on a log amidst a ring of warriors, one of whom stirred a pot hanging over the fire. As soon as the group spotted Ber and Tes, the soldiers leapt to their feet before sinking into deep bows.

Lady Selesta rose more gracefully, curtsying as though she wore a court gown instead of leather armor. “Welcome, Your Majesties. I’m honored that you have accepted my invitation.”