Page 26

Gavin

I would.

The simple vow echoed in Gavin’s ears, keeping time with his footfalls against the marble floor of the palace’s grand foyer. He strode through the cavernous space just as he had a million times before. Nothing had changed. The same suits of armor stood at attention along the walls. The same battle-weary shields hung on the wall, representing all the households that had fought alongside their sovereign during Penumbra’s War. The early morning light illuminated the hall just the same as it always did this time of year, so why did it feel different? Why did he feel out of place here?

Gavin swallowed, forcing his feet down the next hall and toward Jameson’s study.

It was Adelaide, and the concern twisting through his heart that had muted his confidence.

His temples throbbed with the beginnings of a headache. The door to Jameson’s office taunted him from the end of the hall.

Gavin replayed the speech he’d rehearsed in his head over again. He hoped it was enough to save Adelaide and minimize William’s punishment for betraying them. After all, they’d been through too much together to wholly condemn William.

Not one to keep the king waiting, Gavin forced himself to knock.

“Enter,” his cousin’s bored voice drawled, muffled by the solid door.

Drawing a sharp breath as he let himself in, Gavin sent up a silent prayer to gods he didn’t truly believe in until now. He couldn’t fight and win his way through this obstacle. He couldn’t even outsmart it. All he could do was hope Jameson would listen to him, and give him the respect to consider his speech.

That was all.

Never had he felt this helpless or useless in the act of protecting those he cared about.

Jameson sat behind his large wooden desk, shifting through a pile of papers. A quill hung awkwardly in between his fingers.

“They never tell you how much paperwork looms behind the crown,” he grumbled. Glancing over the rim of his reading glasses, his eyes studied Gavin from head to toe. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve swallowed a frog.”

“Just a long night, Your Majesty.”

Jameson clicked his tongue. His eyes narrowed as he set the papers down and took off his glasses, setting all of it aside. “You only ever use my title when something’s wrong.”

Gavin clenched his jaw. How could he forget how well they knew each other? They grew up together, they fought together, and gods if they hadn’t survived together.

“Is it about William? Because then I could understand why you’re making that face.” Jameson waved his hand dismissively. “If it’s not, then you’ll have to explain it to me. Not only did you succeed in discovering the Master of Thieves and detaining her, but you captured Darshovi’s fifth prince as well—and all in one night. I think that’s something worth celebrating even in spite of William’s…misguided judgement.”

“It’s not just William,” Gavin finally said, licking his lips. “I’ve fallen in love.”

Jameson arched his brow. “I fail to see the cause for the haunted frown on your face.”

Gavin took a deep breath. “She was an agent of Mistress Scrabs’s sent to steal the Eye of Behelwer…and then my heart.”

“Which did she steal first?” Jameson asked, amused. “I would say it was your heart, as I already know it was William who took the sunstone.”

“She was acting under duress.” Gavin struggled to maintain his composure. His thoughts scattered. This wasn’t at all how he planned to discuss Adelaide’s situation.

“How so? She was a thief. She worked for Mistress Scrabs. I see no—”

“All true, but there’s more than what your spies and informants can dredge up if you would just listen to me,” Gavin burst.

Jameson sat back in his chair. As they stared at each other, Gavin didn’t know whether he’d just joined Adelaide and William as an enemy of the kingdom, or if his cousin would finally let him speak unencumbered by his preconceived notions. Jameson sat back, essentially lounging in his desk chair, and waved a hand for Gavin to proceed. “All right. Tell me, who’s the woman you’ve fallen in love with?”

Gavin blinked in disbelief. His cousin was actually going to exercise the patience the situation called for? “Her name is Adelaide, and she’s… quiet and smart. She’s kind too. It’s strange, but when I’m with her, I feel comfortable. It’s like she’s the embodiment of peace.”

“So,” Jameson interrupted, “Adelaide is the reason why you’re suddenly a poet?”

Gavin glared at him. His cousin raised his hands in surrender. “All right, forgive me for making a joke. Carry on. Tell me why you feel the need to plead Adelaide’s case.”

Gavin went on to tell Jameson everything Adelaide had told him, and filled in his theories for what she hadn’t. He told him of her family, and even the medication Lady Alyton had smuggled into Kordouva that Adelaide accepted as payment for her thievery. He finished by telling Jameson about how it was Adelaide that had ensured the Eye’s safety and returned it to him.

When he was done, the king was silent. Long moments stretched by before he said anything at all. In the time that lapsed between them, stifled by quiet, Gavin fought against the itch to tap his fingers against his leg, to move, to dispel the adrenaline coursing through him.

“I never asked for any of this, for the burden of making decisions.” Jameson blew out a breath and rubbed his temple. “I was supposed to live a quiet life and maybe consent to a political marriage, but never was I supposed to rule.” He paused, and for the first time in their lives, Gavin saw the burden Jameson shouldered. He could ride into battle unencumbered and unafraid, but decisions of state, the weight of the crown, had been as detrimental to Jameson as all of his errands had been to Gavin. Finally, Jameson focused on him once more. “That’s still quite the account of criminal activity, Gavin.”

Gavin opened his mouth to protest, to reiterate that Adelaide hadn’t acted of her own free will. Jameson cast him a withering look reserved for petulant council members and held up a hand that made Gavin swallow hard.

“But I understand.” Jameson stood and crossed the room to the fireplace. Bracing a hand against the mantel, he added, “This is a difficult position. Even though Lady Alyton forced Adelaide to steal for her, Adelaide still aided and abetted her. Then there’s the fact that she willfully accepted smuggled goods.”

“I see,” Gavin said. He stood and pulled the envelope from his waistcoat’s inner pocket. “Well, I’ve said what I’ve needed to and believe my report is sufficient enough. I’ll leave you to your deliberations.”

Gavin watched, wide-eyed, as Jameson threw his report in the fireplace. Flames erupted around the paper and licked at the envelope’s edges until it caught fire. Baffled, Gavin shook his head and addressed his cousin.

“What are you planning?” Gavin asked.

“Hopefully, a wedding.” Jameson grinned. Turning serious again, he added, “Now sit. We have much to discuss about what happens next. The people need the medication, but I can’t condone its creation. How do we provide for our people without causing the suffering of others?”