Page 57

“Oh, I know that.”

Hurst could get in line behind everyone else who had tried and failed.

Chapter 14

Erdene Ru waited for the messenger Luc had sent back to leave the room before she turned to the small group around the table.

Since that first meeting where they’d decided to lie, she’d added two extra people to the group. Kurvin, her fourth lieutenant, and Talika, the Cervantes guard who’d been chosen to use the magic necklace and take on Ava’s likeness.

“So the rumors in the city are being spread by some of the nobles.”

“A bit more complicated than rumors, in that therearepeople going missing, but it’s of their own free will.” Dak pursed his lips.

“Should have known it was the nobles.” Kurvin gave a snort. “When are they anything but trouble?”

He lifted his head and shared a quick look with Erdene. She suppressed a smile, but she recalled their roles in the not entirely peaceful transition from noble rule to common rule in Venyatu in their younger days.

“How do we combat it?” Fervanti was standing—always unable to sit unless it was on a horse, that one—and she leaned her hip against the table, eyes fierce.

“We counter it by talking about what happened at Lord Cynera’s manor house. What Luc found, what Cynera had planned, the plot to sneak soldiers out to the countryside and even the plan to incite the Rising Wave to take revenge on country villages.” Erdene leaned back in her chair.

All the chairs in this place were extremely uncomfortable.

Ava had mentioned the throne was no different.

Queen Freida of Kassia had most surely put pomp and grandeur ahead of usability.

Dak nodded. “Agreed. I’ll call a meeting of my captains, have them spread the word, and let them know to discuss it freely within the city walls.”

“If I may?” Talika was the least self-assured member of this little group, most likely because she had the lowest rank, but when she spoke, Erdene listened.

The Cervantes guard had suggested numerous ways to make her pretence as Ava less susceptible to discovery, and they were all good.

More importantly, so far, they had all worked.

Erdene wasn’t the only one who was developing a respect for Talika, she noted, as every eye turned toward her.

Suddenly aware she was the center of attention, Talika seemed to draw in on herself, and then forced her shoulders down.

“I walk around the palace as myself for at least a couple of hours a day, to give the impression I’m still working as a guard outside the Queen’s rooms, and I’ve been listening to the gossip in the kitchens. The nobles’ servants say the nobles are suspicious they haven’t had a meeting or function with Ava since Luc left five days ago. The Commander’s message isn’t just useful as a way to understand the rumors on the street, we can use it as a good explanation for why Ava hasn’t mingled with the nobles, as well.”

“That’s true.” Erdene gave a slow nod. “Dak, you and I need to order Cynera in to answer questions and explain the rumors and attacks.”

Kurvin gave a chuckle. “I like that.”

“I also suggest that you spend time together, walking around the upper apartments, and through the city to the tents outside.” Dak tipped his head between Erdene and Talika. “That should put to rest the rumor that the general has locked her up, which is another one I’ve been hearing.”

“Why have I locked her up, in this fantasy scenario?” Erdene shook her head.

“Why, because the Commander is gone,” Dak said, a hint of humor in his voice. “So poor, weak Ava, all alone, has fallen prey to your machinations.”

The thought of Ava as weak had Erdene shaking her head. “They don’t know Ava very well, do they?”

The unfortunate thing was, they wouldn’t be getting the chance to do so until they had Ava back. And she couldn’t say when that would be.

So, they would do what they could to build this illusion.

“Let’s start crushing all these different rumors.” Erdene offered an arm to Talika. “Your majesty, would you care for a stroll?”