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“She has Whitaker and several others with her,” said Lila. “Whitaker wouldn’t let anything happen to her.”

Brighton hesitated. “I’m sure you’re right. But something must have happened. I ought to know what it is, even if she’s not in immediate danger.”

Just then the door opened and the princess swept in. She closed the door behind her with a decisive click, and then stood with her back to it, her jaw tight.

“What happened?” said Brighton. His hand rested on his sword.

Marin’s face was white but for a bright red flush across her cheeks. She looked at him, and then at Kaerius and Lila, and then back to Brighton. Her hands shook, and she clenched them into fists as she took several steadying breaths.

She was trembling from head to toe, and Kaerius took a step closer.

What happened? How can I be of service?

The princess swallowed and raised her chin. “Ralph said that he had tried to make his suit as pleasant as possible, but he was tired of waiting for me to understand that refusal was not an option.

“A fleet of Boravian warships will arrive in two days. Either he will present me as his wife and Boravia will claim Eleria as a protectorate under his rule, or…” Her voice caught, and she pressed a hand to her mouth.

“Or Boravia will declare war,” said Brighton flatly.

Marin nodded wordlessly.

This is ridiculous. Kaerius felt his heart thudding raggedly within his chest, and his face felt hot.I’ll throw him off the cliff! I’ll rip out his throat! You can blame his death on the foreign guest.

“I’ll kill him,” said Brighton, his voice low and hard. “Perhaps we fall to Boravia. I can’t see any way to prevent that; we’ll defend the passes but we have no real chance against their warships. But there is absolutely no future in which you are married to him, Marin.”

“I can’t let thousands of soldiers die when my marrying that snake will prevent an outright war.” Tears welled up her eyes, but she met Brighton’s eyes steadily.

“Abdicate.” Brighton glanced at Kaerius and then, for a long moment, at his wife. Then he raised his chin. “Run away with Kai and disappear. He’ll keep you safe. Take His Majesty and Lila with you; that’s all I ask.”

“And then what?” Marin breathed. “Anyone I designate as my heir will be dead in a week. I won’t do that to you, Derek. They’ll kill you and all the guards and take Eleria regardless. I can’t run away.”

“Ralph won’t live to rule,” Brighton growled.

“But you’d be dead, and for what? Eleria would still be lost.”

“What did you tell him?”

“That I need to think about it.” She paced away from them and then back. “Then I had to have that meeting with Galbraith!”

Did he threaten you too?

“Did you tell him what Ralph said?”

Marin blew out a breath. “He said that he would drop the requirement to marry me if I would sign an agreement allowing them access to our port. He despises our ‘little salt-crusted village’ and only wanted to marry me because I’m young enough to give him an heir. That wasn’t actually an order from his king, and he doesn’t want the palace, or me, enough to insist on it.” She glanced at Kaerius and bit her lip.

“What else?” Brighton pressed.

“He said he didn’t want to get between Prince Kai and me.” Marin gave a soft, strangled little laugh. “He said he could find someone prettier than me in his own lands anyway, and he would content himself with the political alliance his king required. Giving me up to a… to Kai… was no real loss.”

Kaerius blinked.I imagine he’s scared Ralph will try again.

Brighton swayed. “I agree. A magnanimous gesture like that reflects better on him than having to admit you chose someone else.”

That’s not what I said.Kaerius glanced at him.Sit down before you fall down.He put a hand under Brighton’s left elbow.

The guard widened his feet, as if that would help him stay upright. “So we have until tomorrow to come up with a plan.” His voice was tight and hard.

Marin nodded. “Yes. I ought not cancel the meeting with Lovelock. Frinta’s support may be critical in the coming days.”