She laughs out loud at that, and this time her smile looks a bit more genuine. “I think I like you better, too.” Her gaze shifts past me, to where Jake stands by my shoulder. “Is this Prince Jacob of Disi at your side?” she says. “Have you secured an alliance as well?”

I do not know if she is mocking me or trying to see if I would try to con her the way Rhen did, but either way, it does not matter. She suspects the truth—or likely knows the truth, if Lia Mara has spoken of our journey. “Disi was a farce to rally the people of Emberfall against your invasion.”

Nolla Verin gasps out loud and whispers something to her mother.

I keep my eyes on Karis Luran. “Jake is a formidable ally in his own right.”

“Indeed.” She smiles. “We shall see.”

That could mean anything.

“How fares the scraver we traveled with?” I say to her. “What has become of him?”

Her eyes glint with intrigue. “He has broken an accord with Syhl Shallow, Your Highness. He will be confined until I deem it appropriate to meet with him.”

Again, I do not know if she is conceding something by offering me a title, or if she is mocking me—but all I can think of is Iisak, caged again.

“You seem concerned,” says Karis Luran.

“He helped save my life,” I say. “And that of your daughter.” I pause. “I do not know of your treaty, but I believe he is due leniency.”

She flicks a hand. “I will consider your words, but I do not wish to speak of that creature.”

“As you say, Your Majesty.” I offer her a nod.

Her gaze sharpens. Silver hell. A minor deferral, but she noticed.

Her lip curls up slightly. “I am certain you know we have sought an alliance with Prince Rhen.”

“I do.”

“As he is not the rightful heir, I presume we should seek this alliance with you.”

“I am willing to hear your terms.”

“You do realize I have far more to offer you than you have to offer me. I understand you arrived at my border with little more than the clothes on your back.”

“Do you have another heir to the throne of Emberfall who is willing to hear your terms? I thought I might be the only one.”

She goes very still. “Do not play with me, boy.”

I hear the edge in her tone and find my own to match. “I am not Prince Rhen, and I am not King Broderick,” I say. “Whatever sway you held over either does not apply to me. I may have walked into your palace with nothing, but that means I have nothing you can take from me.”

“I can take your life,” she snaps.

“Prince Rhen already tried,” I say. “Send a message to your spy. Ask the result. I will wait.”

She draws herself up, but I am more aware of Lia Mara sitting to the side, her eyes wide and fixed on me. When my eyes flick to hers, she looks away.

I turn back to Karis Luran and take a step toward the dais. “I do not seek silver, and I do not seek power. If I am to take the throne, if I am to ally with Syhl Shallow, it will be for the betterment of my people and the betterment of Emberfall. For no other reason. If you would like to discuss an alliance, we will face each other as equals, and we will negotiate our shared goals. But if you believe you can place a crown on my head and wield me as your puppet, you are very mistaken indeed.”

Karis Luran sits back in her chair and regards me. After a moment she leans toward her younger daughter.

Nolla Verin stands, and she is more slender than her sister, with a slight frame and a narrow waist accentuated by a wide belt. Her hips sway as she approaches me. She may be quick with a bow and amazing on a horse, but she wouldn’t have carried that buck ten feet.

Not just because of strength, though that’s some of it. Because of temperament. Her gaze is coolly dismissive. She might have shot the stag, but she would have ordered others to carry it.

Lia Mara may not be the named heir, but she is still the daughter of the queen. Until now, I hadn’t realized that in all our time in the woods, she never issued one order. She never made a single demand.

She sat in the mud to hold a dying woman’s hand and begged me to save her life.

Nolla Verin extends a hand to me. “I am to be queen,” she says, and even her voice is beautiful, soft and melodic. She leans into me, gazing up through her lashes. “I do not need a king to rule Syhl Shallow, just as you need no queen to rule Emberfall. But I hope that together we can prove to both our peoples that an alliance through marriage would bring peace and prosperity to all. Do you not agree?”

I take her fingers between mine and bow, as I’ve seen Rhen do so many times, barely brushing my lips against the back of her hand. I must be careful with this one. “We are in agreement, my lady.”

When I straighten, she moves closer, until her hip brushes mine. “I believe we should have a small reception tomorrow evening, to celebrate my sister’s safe return. I would like to introduce you to the Royal Houses, so you can learn all Syhl Shallow has to offer.”

Her hand has not slipped free of my own. “I would be honored.”

“And perhaps we can go for a ride tomorrow morning?” Her voice softens. “Privately?”

That feels like a trap. “Perhaps you can show me some of the mounted games you excel at,” I say. “Your sister spoke very highly of your talents.”

At that, Nolla Verin beams. “She did?” She glances at Lia Mara, and for the first time, genuine warmth fills her tone. “Thank you, dear Sister.”

“Of course.” Lia Mara’s voice, by comparison, is wooden. “Everyone knows of your skills.”

I wish she didn’t have to do this.

I wish I didn’t have to do this.

Nolla Verin looks back up at me, then gives my fingers a squeeze. “Until tomorrow, then, Prince Grey?”

“Yes, my lady. Tomorrow.”

It takes every ounce of my strength to keep my eyes on her face, instead of looking past Nolla Verin to find the warm, inviting eyes of her sister.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

LIA MARA

The next morning dawns cool and clear, the last of the rain moving out, leaving wind roaring through the mountains. Sunlight glitters on the rooftops of the city, highlighting the raindrops left behind by the storm.

I’d hoped to wake to more rain, so Nolla Verin would be forced to postpone the demonstration of her riding skills, but that likely would have resulted in some indoor activity. The thought of my sister giggling over a game of dice, batting her eyelashes at Grey, is enough to make me want to burn down the castle.

All those days in the woods, I longed for the quiet comfort of my bedchamber, where I could hide with a book by the window, but today I am restless. I miss Tycho’s quiet humor. I miss Noah’s endless knowledge. I even miss Jake’s surly sarcasm and Iisak’s vicious talents.

Iisak. I do not know my mother’s plans for the scraver, but I do know he was imprisoned before Grey freed him. I wonder how he is handling a return to captivity.

I have new guards waiting at my door. Conys and Bea. Both are female, both stern-faced and cold in their formality. Both chosen by my mother. The warm familiarity I shared with Sorra and Parrish is long gone. I want to find him and apologize. To share in his sorrow. To make things right. Every time I ask to see him, I am told that he has been assigned to other duties on the palace grounds.