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“NotKing Mehl.” Mildren’s smile turned sly. “Don’t you think the baby bears some resemblance to High King Toren? But of course, you’re right. If she arrived at the palace when she said, it wouldn’t be possible.”

Oh, no.

Tes’s trembling fingers squeezed around the bread, mangling it in the process. To slow the sudden pounding of her heart, she breathed in slowly through her nose. She should have given more thought to the fact that Ber and Toren were twins, but partof her had hoped that her son would resemble her more than his father. Yet with each passing day…

She would need to cast a glamour over Speran, or the rumors would grow unbearable.

“If he’d already gottenherpregnant, he wouldn’t have needed a breeding contract with that—”

“Hush,” Mildren snapped. “I beg you not to make me a party to such words. I’ll not be banished because of your tongue.”

“Fine, though youwereright to suggest that Madam Ryssa is rather suspicious,” the other woman said. “Wasn’t she supposed to be deathly ill?”

Cold dread washed over Tes, an unfortunate complement to the sudden sting of embarrassment. How could she have forgotten her own excuse for being absent from the palace? Had Ria or the kings said anything about it? Yet despite the lump of worry congealing in her stomach, she smiled down at Speran as though she didn’t hear the accusation.

Most of all, she watched the two nobles out of the corner of her eye.

“She does look rather pale. And exhausted.” Mildren’s lips pursed, and the two ladies drew to a halt a few paces before the footpath winded out of view. Now, both stared openly. “Maybe we should call for the healer. No matter the truth about her presence, it would do us no good to leave the queen’s cousin and companion in distress.”

As she took another bite, Tes hid her snort against the bread.At least I look terrible enough to pass as sick.There had to be some consolation for her lack of sleep the night before. Still, it would be best if she stumbled her way back to her rooms as pathetically as she could manage to cover for her lapse in memory.

“Good day, ladies.”

Was that Toren? Tes snapped her gaze in the direction of the voice, but the hedgerow stretching along one side of the square blocked her view. She needn’t have bothered searching, however. Both women dipped into deep curtsies, and from their pallor, Tes imagined they were recalling every word that Toren might have heard.

Even more telling? Speran let out a happy gurgle at the sound. Her son wasn’t at the right angle to see when his uncle and King Mehl cleared the end of the hedges, but if he did spot either man, he would wave his arms to be picked up. A sweet and delightful thing, to be sure—but not the best when it came to averting rumors.

Once again, Tes fought the urge to hide Speran from view.

“Good day, Your Majesties,” Mildren said. “We were just worrying about the queen’s dear cousin. Oh, but I’m confident all will be well now that you’re here.”

“Undoubtedly,” Toren replied coldly.

From the way the woman sagged a little in relief, it was obvious that she hadn’t caught the bite in her king’s tone. Tes knew him too well now. He must have heard in detail the list of “worries” the two had been expressing, possibly even the part about Speran’s parentage. And he was not pleased.

“Ryssa is a valued member of our family,” Mehl said, the warning clear inhisvoice. “I understand there has been some concern about her health of late, but I assure you she is under our care. Treat her accordingly.”

The women’s curtsies deepened until it was a wonder they didn’t topple over. “Of course, King Mehl. We will remember,” Mildren managed.

At Toren’s dismissal, the ladies scurried off as quickly as they could manage while still maintaining a semblance of dignity. Though Mehl frowned after the two, Toren strode directly across the stretch of lawn, stopping at the edge of the blanket. Speranlifted his little arms, and his uncle swept him up without hesitation.

But there was worry in the look the king turned on Tes.

“I’d hoped to speak to you, but perhaps that should best be done inside,” Toren said. “This little outing appears to have been too much.”

An eavesdropper might assume he was talking about her health, but Tes knew better. He was concerned about the ladies’ blatant speculations, too. “You’re likely correct, Your Majesty. I should pack up.”

“Youarepale,” Toren said. “Leave the blankets and basket, and I’ll have a servant retrieve them. I’ll escort you and your son inside.”

Nodding, Tes struggled to her feet with more effort than she’d expected. Her tired muscles had gone numb from lack of movement, and her thighs still burned from the way she’d squeezed them around Ber’s—

No, think of something else.Exhausted. She was merely exhausted. For absolutely no reason whatsoever. That was how the matter was best left.

Even if the flush suffusing her skin revealed the truth.

Ber sighted on the target,then released the arrow with his next breath. The tip thudded into the center, but on the left edge of it—a fine shot for most purposes. But if he’d been aiming for an eye, the arrow wouldn’t have hit true. Probably still deadly, but not neatly so. He would far rather deliver instant death when he shot to kill.

As he drew another arrow, Sir Owein slipped into the spot beside him. The man said nothing, only readied his bow andtook a few shots of his own. Ber expected nothing less. Above all, it was important that they maintain a sense of cordial remoteness. As such, he nodded a greeting and returned to his own practice without a word.