The Mirror King (The Orphan Queen, #2)(14)

“From the south. They’re from Indigo Kingdom villages all along the wraithland border.”

“What does that mean?” Meredith’s hands were knots of white knuckles.

The messenger’s reply came gravely. “It means the wraith is moving again. Faster.”





SIX


ACTIVITY EXPLODED ACROSS the room.

James, Tobiah, and I started for the messenger. Meredith looked to the crown prince for guidance. Francesca turned her glare on me, as though this were my fault; maybe it was.

But Tobiah could barely stand, let alone walk, so with a pained groan he crumpled. James switched trajectories and the queen regent rushed around Meredith to help move the prince back to his bed.

While the others were busy, I approached the messenger. “What else do you know about the wraith? How fast is it coming? What towns? How many refugees?”

“Nothing. That’s all I heard.”

I grabbed the messenger and shoved him against the wall. His head thudded. I held my knife to his throat and growled, “What kind of messenger doesn’t get important details and then barges into the crown prince’s chambers? Do you work for Patrick?”

His eyes widened.

“You’re too incompetent to be an assassin. Are you trying to lure Tobiah into public so someone else can kill him?”

Meredith let out a peep of surprise, like she hadn’t even considered that, but then she saw my knife. “Captain Rayner,” she breathed.

From the corner of my eye, I could see everyone looking at me.

“That’s a little excessive, Wil.” James spoke as though I were a spooked animal. “I know him. He’s no assassin and he doesn’t work for Lien.” He met Tobiah’s eyes for a heartbeat, nodded, and came to take the messenger from me. “It’s all right.”

The man’s face seemed caught between fear and excitement. His wide owl eyes darted around the room, taking in the details.

I stepped aside for James, not putting away my knife. “I don’t trust him.”

“You don’t trust anyone.” James opened the door to escort the messenger out. “This way, Alain. We—and all of these men—need to have a talk about the crown prince’s quarters. . . .”

The door shut behind them, leaving me alone with Tobiah, his mother, and his fiancée. A moment later, muffled yelling came from the other room as James dressed down every guard by name.

I shifted my weight to one hip. “I don’t think Alain will keep his mouth shut. The secret is out.” I leveled my eyes on Tobiah. “He saw you standing. A second miracle in as many days.”

“How did James heal?” The queen’s eyebrows drew in. “Princess?”

“I was locked in my quarters.” My glare landed on Tobiah, who’d managed to sit up straight, but his skin was ashen with the effort. “I was allowed to believe James was dead.”

“Regardless,” Meredith said, her cheeks red as she attempted to forestall another fight, “Princess Wilhelmina is correct. The secret is out. There’s nothing we can do right now but hope Alain takes Captain Rayner’s request for silence seriously.”

Good luck.

“In the meantime, we’ll need to make sure there’s room in the shelters for the new refugees.”

“You think we should let them into the city?” Tobiah looked at her across the small distance, his face bland. “The shelters are already so full and food is scarce.”

“They’re Indigo Kingdom citizens.”

“Would you feel differently if they were refugees from another kingdom?”

Her lips parted with affront or indecision—I couldn’t tell. “Of course not. They’re people in need, regardless.”

Tobiah nodded. “Still, with a few noble exceptions”—he motioned at me—“my father didn’t allow refugees into the city.”

“You are not your father and the wraith had not touched the Indigo Kingdom while he was in power.”

The crown prince offered a shallow nod. “The gates will be open, my lady.”

Meredith glowed with her triumph. “Thank you.”

Tobiah pressed one palm to his stomach, over the shirt and bandages beneath. A shadow crossed his face. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to rest before the next emergency. My father’s memorial is in two days and I plan to be fully recovered by then.”

“I’ll leave you to your rest, then.” I replaced my knife and started for the door.

“Wilhelmina?”

I looked over my shoulder to find Tobiah’s glare mixed with something like distaste.

“Please change your clothes into something more becoming of a lady of your station. Parading around the palace like that is . . . unseemly.”

I let my voice thin. “If Your Highness wishes to control my wardrobe as well as my movements throughout the palace, consider supplying something more to your taste.”

He gave a bored sigh and roll of his eyes.

I slipped out of the room and through the busy parlor, and headed into the hall. My fingernails carved crescents into my palms.

Meredith caught up with me a minute later. “He shouldn’t be so mean to you. Not only did you help save his life, you’re a princess.”