The Mirror King (The Orphan Queen, #2)(18)

James handed the key to me. “I have a spare, but I don’t anticipate wanting to use it much.”

I put the key in my pocket.

While James dismissed the guards, I strode toward my quarters once again, keeping my shoulders thrown back and my chin high. Sergeant Ferris followed in my wake.

“He didn’t do anything yesterday in His Highness’s parlor. Or on the way to your apartments.” Ferris’s voice was soft under the hum of men talking and moving about, relief in their stances, as though they’d just dodged a hurricane. “Why the fuss?”

“Were you present when all the wraith in the city came together and formed him?”

“No.”

“Or when he grew larger and leapt across the courtyards onto the crown prince’s balcony?”

“No.”

I opened the door to my room. “He’s not a tame animal, Sergeant Ferris.”

“Indeed he’s not.” James hurried up. “Sorry, my lady. My chance to see your famous pen at work will have to wait.”

“Is something wrong?”

He shook his head. “I’m being called away for coronation security. Many of our allies are coming to attend the memorial and coronation following. I have to ensure their safety. But I should have some free time tomorrow morning if you’d like to visit my new office.”

“New office?”

“It came with the promotion.” James grinned.

“Have a big stack of paper waiting. But let’s make it afternoon. I plan on sleeping late.” I inclined my head toward the bag of Black Knife supplies, which still rested on the table in my sitting room.

“I should have guessed.” James gave a deep sigh. “Afternoon it is. But what I said earlier: you shouldn’t.”

We both knew I would.

I spent the rest of the day with the Ospreys.

Their suite was as grand as I’d expected. Four individual bedrooms, all with fireplaces, fully stocked bookcases, and even a sculpture of an osprey made of Aecorian sandstone.

“Wil!” Carl looked up from inspecting a crystal vase. “Have you seen what they just leave lying around here?”

“Mind your manners.” I grinned when he put the vase back on the large central table. “If you’re going to steal, take something that’s not in your room. You don’t want to incriminate yourself, do you?”

“At least wait until we leave the palace before looting it.” Theresa stepped forward, shaking her head. “Show them a few shiny things and they turn into ferrets.”

“Hey, Rees.” I hugged Theresa, relieved to see that she—and the others—had bathed and eaten; the plates and trays on the table were licked clean. All of their scrapes and cuts had been treated, and they wore clothes that looked as though they’d been borrowed or handed down from other young nobles—a little worn, but still finer than anything they’d had in the last ten years.

“Come to check on us?” Kevin asked, towering over the two younger boys. In the months since Melanie and I had come here, Kevin had grown taller, and now he was all knees and elbows.

“That’s part of it.” I motioned at Carl again as he slipped a fork into his pocket. “Did you not hear what I just said?”

He hung his head and unloaded his pockets onto the table. Silverware, crystals pried from a candlestick, and a jar of ink with gold flecks in it. “That one was for you.” He tapped on the lid.

My heart melted a little. “Actually, I have a job for all of you.” When they took seats at the table, I began. “Crown Prince Tobiah is going to ask me to sign the Wraith Alliance.”

Connor pulled in his shoulders, making himself smaller.

I leaned onto the table, my weight on my palms. “I don’t know why my parents wouldn’t sign, or my grandparents. Even if there’s anyone left in Sandcliff Castle who might know, how could I trust them to be honest or objective?”

“What will you do?” Theresa asked.

I took a steadying breath. “I’m going to sign the Wraith Alliance, but first, we’re going to make some changes.”

“What kind of changes?” Kevin asked.

I drew a folded paper from my pocket and slid it toward him. “These, for now. But I’m sure I will need more than this.”

He snatched the paper and skimmed the list. “So you want us to study the treaty and look for other changes you might need?”

“Exactly.” I’d have to get them a copy, but that wouldn’t be difficult. “Read it. Study it. Ask questions. I want you to become more knowledgeable about the treaty than anyone else in the world.”

Theresa grimaced. “So no big demands, then. Do you want us to run laps around the city wall while carrying packs of rocks?”

I flicked a crumb of bread at her. Carl caught it midair and ate it.

“I’m going to do everything in my power to negotiate for control of Aecor. Tobiah is agreeable, but his uncle is not. Obviously, he doesn’t want to let it go.”

“When will you start?” Kevin stood, my list of treaty amendments in hand as he began to pace. “Now?”

“Our presence here is the start.” I forced encouragement into my voice. “But formal negotiations will begin after Tobiah’s coronation. That’s fine. He’ll have more power when he’s king. And we’ll need it.” I hesitated. “There are some who will try to delay negotiations longer. We must practice patience.”