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“It is.” The bodyguard saluted. “I will compile a list of other guards who may prove loyal, though of course, I must proceed with discretion.”

Ber frowned. “The utmost.”

“I know a great many amongst the merchant class, including the woman you sent my way,” Cairi said. Then she gestured them over. “Now, come take this light globe. It’s a fancy bit of work that casts images along with light, a suitable gift for a king. We’d better get downstairs before we attract attention.”

At that truth, Ber accepted the chest after a quick examination of the contents. A beautifully wrought glass sphere, as promised. Nodding, he handed the box to Halueth, and they retreated down the stairs. As soon as the stronger shielding dropped, his shoulder blades itched with awareness. She was right—someone was paying attention.

“I will not forget the favor you bestowed by adding that enchantment,” Ber said haughtily as they entered the storage room. “My father will be well pleased with the gift.”

“It was my honor, my lord,” she replied.

Ber strode directly toward the door before purposefully halting. “Although…you aren’t responsible for that dreadful incident in the royal gardens, are you?”

Cairi’s eyebrows drew together. “Pardon me, my lord? What incident?”

“An important diplomat was gravely injured by light globes when the display broke,” Ber explained. “A fine man. I would hate to give coin to someone negligent enough to cause such terrible harm.”

“I know nothing of it, my lord. I give my word,” Cairi said, her tone ringing with bafflement even as she rolled her eyes. “I only deliver the globes for the gardens. Other artisans are responsible for how they are displayed. I do hope our esteemed guest recovers quickly.”

Ber inclined his head. “As do I. I’ll have my man here send you your gold as soon as possible.”

He swept out of the room without waiting for her reply, and he didn’t bother to say a word to the girl working at the front counter, though she bid him farewell. He was too busy departing the shop with all the verve of a warrior leaving with his rightful spoils of war. And in a way, he was.

A new ally was far better than any light globe.

Lady Selesta might have directedTes to bring her tea on the following day, but Tes was in no mood to waste time. So she hefted the heavy tray and carried it through the drab servants’ corridors to the elaborate sitting room where the lady waited. Tes smiled to herself. It was funny, really. She’d had little experience with this particular task until the night she’d tried to “rescue” Ria from Llyalia. Now, she was an expert.

With a brush of magic, the door opened, and Tes entered silently. The lady sat at a small writing desk, her quill movingat a rapid rate. “Leave it on the side table here,” she said with barely a pause.

Tes settled the tray on a table to Selesta’s left. “Shall I pour for you, my lady?”

The woman’s gaze snapped to Tes. “You were to begin tomorrow.”

“I had no other task, so I thought I would help.” Which was true. She knew nothing about the meetings her husband had mentioned, and spending the day in the disguise room had sounded like torture. “Would you like tea while you write your letters?”

“Not yet,” Selesta snapped. Then she let out a sigh. “I’m sorry. This… I thought I was prepared, but some of the things he said…”

Tes lifted a brow. “In the receiving room?”

“Yes and no.” The lady popped a tiny pastry in her mouth and chewed almost frantically. “There were many innuendoes then. But my brother and I left just after he did, and in the hallway…” Selesta licked her lower lip. “This is bad.”

Earlier, the lady had proceeded with boldness, but now, there was a fear to her that Tes hadn’t seen. “What is bad, my lady?”

Selesta studied her for a moment. “He said he wants to get a child on me as soon as possible, which I suppose I expected. But he also tried to talk my brother into sending me to his bed tonight. Every night until the wedding, though there has been no proposal. Aony barely managed to convince him it would be unseemly.”

“A maiden’s fears, my lady?” Tes asked carefully, sending a sweep of magic around the room. As expected, there was a listening spell attached to one of the trinkets on the other side of the room. Tes tipped her head toward it and placed her finger over her lips for a couple of breaths. “I imagine any fine ladywould seek the security of marriage to ensure her children’s future.”

Eyes wide, Selesta gave a nod of acknowledgement at the warning. “Oh, yes. I wouldn’t want my child’s inheritance to be in doubt, and of course, I have always dreamed of a beautiful wedding. Ah, perhaps I am not worthy. I am distressed to think that His Majesty thinks poorly of me to suggest such an arrangement.”

“You are far too fine and gentle a lady for such doubts,” Tes said. “Why, you didn’t even chide me for the cake on your gown.”

“And you are a kind listener. I’m afraid I don’t have any friends at the palace.” Silently, Selesta slid over a scrap of paper from a nearby pile and scrawled something on it. “I suppose I’m happy you brought my tea today, after all. I’ve been sick with worry that I did something wrong.”

“I’m sure you couldn’t have, my lady,” Tes replied.

Then Selesta handed her the paper, and Tes barely managed to stifle a gasp.He wants a daughter at once. He’ll marry her to Prince Ber.

Suddenly, Tes was the one sick with worry.