Page 61

Chapter 29

Calculation

Instead of returning to his rooms, Ber headed directly to the king’s study. He would have been expected there already, so it was the best opportunity for a “confession” about his mission. With that in mind, he held the small box in front of him as he strode past the guards and into the room. The king’s gaze narrowed on him at once.

“What took you so long?” Ryenil snapped.

“Forgive me, Father,” Ber said, stopping in front of the desk and lifting the wooden chest. “I was procuring a present for you.”

The king’s glare transferred to the box. “Ah, yes. You traveled into the cityjustfor me.”

Ber smiled wryly. “Of course not. I know you would hate such wasted time. I wanted to catch the globemaker unaware when I questioned her, since a summons to the palace gives one plenty of time to prepare. The gift is merely a thanks I acquired in the meantime.”

“A thanks?” Ryenil asked. The lines of anger on the king’s face softened, but doubt clearly remained. “For what?”

“For the consideration you have given me lately, of course.” Ber placed the little box carefully on the desk. “Extrabodyguards. Your own personal healer. It is kind of you to keep me in such high regard.”

The king might not buy it, but the longer Ber could pretend ignorance to the man’s dark plots, the better. And from the way Ryenil’s expression grew closed and shuttered, it seemed that he didn’t know what to think, either. He was no doubt debating whether Ber was truly unaware or not.

“Ah, of course,” the king finally replied. He didn’t bother to open the box. “What did you learn from the globemaker?”

Ber ambled over to his own desk and sat. “I believe she is innocent. She was unaware of the garden incident, and when pressed, she told me that she only delivers the globes. It seems that other artisans affix them to the displays.”

Ryenil frowned. “But what of the poison? If the peasant you interrogated was also innocent…”

“I slaked more than a little of my frustration on that one,” Ber said, infusing a dark innuendo into his tone. “If she’d placed poison onto the globe, she would have confessed it after that. She is no danger. Perhaps we should look to other artisans or even the palace guard, instead.”

“I will leave it to you.” Ryenil waved a hand, his attention returning to his papers. “I must compose a letter to the King of Vorwen concerning the health of that dignitary, Lord Orpem. He should survive, but his physical state may not be fully recovered.”

Ber could only hope that one particular part of the man’s anatomy would be rendered useless. “I’ll return to my own work, then.”

But he’d only made it through one dry report before another wave of Tes’s distress hit.

Tes barely madeit back to the disguise room before she lost control of the tenuous hold she kept on her emotions.He wants nothing more than to replace me. To erase me.Her father’s hatred had never been in question, but the cold confirmation…she couldn’t stop the hurt. And the fear, too. He would never stop trying to use Ber to get to Llyalia, and he would never, under any circumstances, care a thing about her.

“I’ll be there as soon as I can,”Ber said into her mind.

Oh, no. Once again, she’d forgotten that Ber would sense her emotions, and he would be perfectly willing to rush over despite the consequences.“Where are you?”

“I just sat down in the study,”he replied at once.“But I’ll think of an excuse to leave.”

That meant he was working with her father. If Ber acted too much out of character at this point, it could be a disaster. The fear twisted tighter in her gut.“No. Don’t make him more suspicious. As long as he thinks he can use you, you’re safe. His plans guarantee it.”

“You’ve learned something?”he asked sharply.

“Yes, but there’s nothing to be done about it right now.”Tes took a few deep breaths. Her husband did not need to hear her father’s intentions at such a delicate time.“I’ll try to shield my emotions. It would be far better for you to finish your work and see to the meetings you mentioned. I’ll be fine.”

His frustration leaked into her own.“I don’t like it.”

“Please,”she sent.“For me.”

“Only and everything for you,”he murmured into her mind.

Then once again, she was alone—or as alone as their link allowed. Tes breathed into the silence, building her shieldsthe best she could against the person who was practically a part of her. It was all she would be able to do to protect him, a realization that cut her deeply, considering his current danger was her fault. If she’d maintained her distance from him centuries ago, he would have left Centoi and never become embroiled in her father’s dark plots.

What was she going to do?

It was clear that her father couldn’t be left to rule for much longer. But did Tes have enough allies to successfully claim the throne? Her reappearance would be a terrible shock, and her acceptance wasn’t guaranteed. Likely, but not certain. Yet the introduction of Lady Selesta had forced her hand. She truly couldn’t delay any longer.