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N iam sat in his office with a half-dozen nobles, their excessive droning taking a toll on his attention.

Lord Whreyn smirked Niam’s way now and then.

What did that self-righteous asshole have planned?

The bogus pretense of needing to travel all the way to Niam’s country estate for the king’s expertise in a land matter didn’t fool anyone.

Whreyn listened to no one’s counsel save his own.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Whreyn said abruptly, “I find myself in need of the privy.”

Oh, no. The nosy bastard wasn’t gaining free rein in Niam’s keep, especially not with such controversial guests in residence. “I’ll have one of my guards escort you.”

Whreyn waved a dismissive hand. “No need. I can find my way.”

He also wasn’t above attempting to bribe guards. Niam excused himself the moment Whreyn left. Casseign and another guard waited outside the door. “Keep the others inside this room.”

“What about Lord Whreyn?” Casseign must not trust the man either, but wouldn’t leave his post without Niam’s instruction. “And I won’t let you go unescorted. ”

Good man. Niam nodded, and Casseign fell into step behind him. Niam followed his hunch and trotted up the stairs. He must be quick if he intended to stop Whreyn. But surely the guards on the family’s floor wouldn’t allow him to pass.

“I merely wish to see the queen mother,” Whreyn simpered to the guard who stood firmly in his way.

Before Niam could shout a warning to the guard, Whreyn thrust the man aside and opened the door. His voice turned sugary sweet. “Ah, I’m very sorry, my dear Nera. I must’ve taken a wrong turn.”

How dare this bastard refer to Mother with such familiarity! Niam dashed to the door and peered inside from behind Whreyn. He’d have words for all of his guards later.

“And a wrong flight of stairs.” Mother's voice lowered to nearly a growl as she rose to her feet. She clenched one fist as though holding one of her daggers. “Lord Whreyn, I’m sure my son is looking for you, and he doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

“I apologize, Your Majesty.” Though the words sounded sincere, the man showed no signs of leaving.

His smug tones had to mean he’d spotted Yarif.

Niam hovered a few steps behind Whreyn. No stopping the man now, but he could discover the bastard’s intent.

He peered around Whreyn into the room, motioning the two guards back.

Mother reached one graceful hand into her pocket, where Niam knew she hid a dagger.

If only Niam’s knife skills equaled his mother’s.

Mother shifted between Lord Whreyn and Yarif, blocking the view. “I won’t keep you,” she said with too much sweetness of her own.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your companion?” Whreyn persisted like the tenacious bit of slime that he was. “Where are your manners?”

Mother dropped the bluster, snapping, “Keeping yours company, I expect, somewhere far from here.” If Whreyn weren’t so arrogant, he’d recognize his cue to run.

Unperturbed or too unobservant to notice her near growl, Lord Whreyn persisted in snooping. “I see a resemblance. One of your nephews, perhaps?”

Mother's voice rose an octave. “If you really must know, this injured young man was brought to me for healing. Now, be gone with you, or I’ll call the guards. You’re disturbing my patient!”

“Interesting. I haven’t seen many guards on this floor of the keep. Why is that?”

Niam’s patience reached an end. He stepped forward, hand on the dagger he kept in his waistband.

Casseign and the other guards flanked him.

“Their king has them busy elsewhere, where you’re supposed to be.

Rest assured, they’re close enough to summon if needed.

” Niam stepped around Lord Whreyn into the room.

Whreyn paled. He wasn’t completely devoid of common sense, after all. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I simply lost my way.”

Niam fought the urge to punch the man—an urge he’d had many times before. “You certainly have. Now, would you like to finish our negotiations, or would you rather continue invading the privacy of my home? ”

Whreyn plastered on a practiced court smile. “Good day, Your Majesty,” he said, addressing Mother. He peeked around her. “And you too, good sir.” His smile turned gloating.

Niam stepped around, herding the pompous lord from the room. “Casseign? Please escort our guest back to my office.” He’d rather the man be escorted to the nearest sinkhole.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Casseign didn’t grasp Whreyn by the nape, but Niam believed he’d do so with little provocation.

Niam followed the annoying and nosy noble.

“Who are your guests, Niam?” Whreyn asked.

Niam wanted to slap the smugness from his tone. Casseign beat him to the reprimand with a vicious shake to one shoulder. “Address His Majesty with respect.”

“My apologies, Your Majesty.” Whreyn kept the sneer in his voice to a minimum.

Niam answered a question with a question, based on reports from his spies. “Right now, you have guests at your manor. Tell me, who are they?”

The surprise on Whreyn’s face lasted a mere moment before being schooled into the usual smirk. “No one you’d know. And point taken. I take it you don’t want your visitors’ presence known.”

Niam had once visited the ocean and witnessed a fisherman land a powerful sea creature with rows of sharp teeth. The creature had nothing on Whreyn’s grin.

Enough was enough. Niam tried for his most authoritative tone.

“I’m not marrying your niece, and if you say one thing more, I’ll postpone my departure for the capital and visit your home instead.

Think your wife and mistress will mind? How is dear Agatha…

and your wife? Do either of them know how close you are to your niece? ”

Whreyn paled and increased his step, returning to the safety of the office. He never visited the privy.

The office cleared, Casseign escorted Whreyn and the other nobles from the keep, and Niam summoned his secretary. “Willem, I believe today's visit was a ruse, and Whreyn has some nefarious purpose.”

“When doesn’t he, Your Majesty?” Willem replied.

“I know you have your sources, and keep meticulous records. Look into Whreyn’s properties. I also want you to investigate his finances. His father left him a modest fortune, but lately, he’s been flashing around wealth. Where did it come from? Is there anything I can use against him if I must?”

Willem snorted. “I won’t have to look far for that.”

Only in private would Niam allow such insolence, but Willem portrayed the utmost respect when others were present. With all the lying, simpering courtiers Niam dealt with daily, Willem’s tendency to speak his mind—at least in private—proved refreshing. And useful. “I don’t trust him.”

“Anyone with any intelligence doesn’t, Your Majesty. Trust me, if Whreyn is hiding anything, I’ll find it.” Willem bowed and left the room.

Next, he summoned Casseign. “Follow Whreyn at a distance. He took the bait and all but admitted he entertains individuals at his estate he doesn’t want named.

I want to know if those are foreign visitors.

Particularly any Cormirans who might have been involved with Illa Trandores or, goddess forbid, Craicians. ”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Even with such assurances and his best people investigating, a knot formed in the pit of Niam’s stomach.

Dinner was a quiet affair with Draylon, Yarif, Niam, Rufe, and Mother, now that Niam’s guests had recovered enough to gather in the dining room.

Once the servants left the room, Mother said, “I have reprimanded Bert for his indiscretion. It seems he wasn’t as tight-lipped with Whreyn as instructed. ”

Bert? Niam should’ve known. The boy had always been gullible, and a few flattering words likely made him spill any secrets.

Perhaps it was time to return him to his mother, as he didn’t appear to have taken Niam’s earlier warnings to heart.

He’d never learn the healer's trade to any level of competence.

He lacked ambition, skill, and now, apparently, discretion .

“What indiscretion?” Yarif looked up from his roasted chicken. Poor thing. He still needed to put on a few pounds, though his cheeks no longer appeared hollow.

“It seems Lord Whreyn turned on the charm and wheedled from Bert that we had guests staying at the keep. Since we didn’t return to the capital as expected, Whreyn knew they must be important.

He only requested an urgent meeting to discover who we entertained so secretly.

” Mother’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

“I’d hoped to keep your presence a secret. ”

Niam should’ve known better than to hold the meeting under the circumstances, but canceling would have further piqued Whreyn's interest. “He always has been the meddling sort. When he returned to our negotiations, he began trying to manipulate me, even though he only suspects your identities.” Niam picked at his meal, shifting in his chair. After a while, he put down his fork and addressed Rufe and Draylon. “While I often call the man a fool, he’s far too insightful for his own good. A man obviously occupied Yarif’s room, and no one but the royal family stays on the upper floors.

Even if he hasn’t pieced together who Yarif is, I’m afraid it’s only a matter of time. ”

“He knows,” Yarif said, voice small.

“Why? What do you mean?” Niam demanded.

“When Illa abducted me, she kept saying she was going to ‘wren.’ I believe Lord Whreyn might be who she meant.”

Niam’s breath caught in his throat. Had Whreyn stooped so low as to include himself in an assassination plot?

“Then we must be ready to leave,” Draylon replied, staring intently at his consort. “Whatever his purpose, he won’t have you.”

“Agreed.” As much as it pained him to part with his cousin, Niam gave a curt nod.

“In addition to his insightfulness, Whreyn also possesses a wagging tongue. We didn’t discuss the matter afterward, as I refused and subtly hinted at sanctions.

I only hope he heeds my warnings.” The last thing he needed was wagging tongues at court.

“Why does he oppose you?” Rufe asked.

Niam glanced at Rufe, then willed his gaze away.

So much temptation right across the table.

Now wasn’t the time. With great effort, Niam pulled his attention away from his lover.

“Some nobles enjoy their power and fear if we ever come under the empire’s rule, they’ll lose the advantage of being a tall tree in a small forest. They simply cannot tolerate sharing a larger forest with other taller trees, if you get my meaning. ”

Draylon scowled. “Many nobles lost their lands when the empire won the war with Draige. The emperor awarded their holdings and titles to his greatest supporters.” Judging by his lowered brows and crossed arms, Draylon didn’t support such actions.

Good.

“And seeing the king consort of Renvalle in my home…” Niam shook his head. “During our talks, Whreyn also made subtle hints about me paying for his silence.”

“And?” Draylon prompted.

“And there isn’t enough gold in our mountains to keep the dratted man quiet, but he’s too well connected to throw into the dungeon.

” Niam threw down his fork in disgust. If not for the consequences from other nobles, he’d throw Whreyn into the dungeon on suspicion alone and keep him there.

Indefinitely. The kingdom would undoubtedly be better off without him.

“You have a dungeon?” Yarif asked.

Niam gave a strained smile to his young cousin. “Not usable, but if I did, I’m not sure I could stand the temptation. So, as much as I’m enjoying your visit, the time has come for you to leave.”

And return to Renvalle to face a potential murderer.