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“I didn’t enter the royal city to spend my days looking for a mere merchant official.”

His fingers pause around a pawn. I’m no chess player—barely know the pieces—but the concentration coming from Quin suggests his next move is a challenging one. I sling myself on the other side of the table, sizing him up. He looks different today. His deep blue robe, a notch more exquisite than anything I’ve seen him in before, suits his distinguished figure; even seated, he gives the impression of height, ofpresence.

Grinning harder, I reach over the board and smooth the edge of his robe where it’s folded at the shoulder. “Extra fancy today. Must be meeting the king.”

His dark eyes clash with mine, a shivery gleam in them.

His hand snaps up, catching mine before I can withdraw. For a moment, the warmth of his touch seeps through the fabric of my glove, and then his cold words seep deeper.

“The king is close.”

“Thanks for the warning.” I peer out over the roses towards the king’s house, lowering my voice. “I’ll keep you company for a bit but at the first sight of his entourage, I’ll need to flee.”

Quin’s eyebrows lift.

I nudge the white king on the board. “I’m not really meant to be roaming around here. And I have complicated feelings about him.”

Quin turns the board and moves a knight to protect the king.

“Don’t you want to know why?” I ask.

“I’m fairly sure I can guess,” he says.

I slump an elbow on the table and drop my jaw into my hand. “He’s Nicostratus’s much-loved brother. So, I’m curious. But I’m afraid it means I have to like him. And...”

Those demanding eyes jump to mine.

I sigh. “Best I steer clear or I’ll get myself in trouble.”

“I’m sure you’ll manage that regardless.”

I throw my hands up in exasperation. “He actually punished an akla for wanting to give her brother a funeral.”

“Missing any key details?”

“She might have tried to leave the royal city to do it, but—”

“Escape is punishable by death,” Quin interjects. “It’s a necessary measure to protect the king and the kingdom. And the akla herself of course. A king must ensure his people’s safety.”

“There should be some leniency, surely.”

“Did he execute her?”

“Well, no.” I frown. “She ended up wet and forced to kneel for half the day. It’s outrageous.”

“There’s more to it.”

“Are you seriously on his side?”

Quin picks up a black pawn and advances it with a smirk. “We see things similarly.”

“What else justifies punishing a grieving girl?”

“The canals are extremely dangerous right now. The king’s intent is to prevent any more tragedies.”

“Why not just control the wyverns better?”

“He’s not always present when they attack.”