The Mirror King (The Orphan Queen, #2)(44)

We waved to the boys on our way out.

Sergeant Ferris waited in the hall, as always. The pair of guards looking over the Ospreys stood with him. “Back to your quarters, Your Highness?”

“Yes. And I need Captain Rayner to meet us there.”

“I’m afraid he’s very busy today.”

I pulled myself tall and regal, like Meredith in the courtyard. “Send for him, Sergeant.”

Ferris’s gaze was long and steady, but at last he nodded to one of the other guards. “You. Fetch the captain to Her Highness’s sitting room. Be quick.”

James was already there when we returned, clad in his finest Indigo Order uniform. His sword hung at his side and he perched on the arm of the sofa, gloved hands on his knees.

“Pretty dress.” He inclined his head toward tonight’s gown hanging from a peg.

“Thank you.” The gown was a glorious creation of lavender silk and wool, with flowers and vines embroidered across the shoulders and down the sleeves. A thick sash of white crossed the ribs, and the front split revealed a layer of cream fabric. “I didn’t ask you here to discuss ladies’ fashion.”

“Maybe next time. You have so many more options and I admit I’m jealous.” He grinned and picked invisible lint off his sleeve. “How can I help you, Wil?”

“Prince Colin wants to keep Tobiah from becoming king.”

Every muscle in him tensed, and his eyes grew hard. “Start from the beginning. Tell me everything.”

With Theresa’s help, I recounted the conversation between Prince Colin and Meredith, even the accusations against me.

James’s expression grew darker as I finished the story. “But he didn’t say when he was going to do anything?”

“No, but the threat was clear. He’ll reveal the use of magic when it suits him.”

James nodded. “I believe you. I doubt anything will happen today. It’s too late for him to take any kind of action against the coronation—”

And I doubted that.

“—but I will post extra guards and ensure Prince Colin is being monitored at all times. Would that help alleviate your worry?”

“Some.” But not enough.

James pushed himself up, straightening his jacket. “Wil, Tobiah and I were taking care of each other long before you arrived. I don’t say that to diminish anything that you’ve done for him, because I know your entire future is riding on his taking the throne tonight.”

There was a pause that seemed to last eternity, but the clock ticked only a few times and I added nothing to his reasoning. It wasn’t my place.

“Believe me,” James said. “It’s important to us all that Tobiah take the throne. The last thing I want is for someone like Prince Colin to have control over the Indigo Kingdom—and it must kill you that he has control over your kingdom. But I cannot simply arrest him, no matter the pleasure that would bring me. He’s done nothing besides talk, and unless Lady Meredith speaks up, it’s your word against his. And your word isn’t the best, all things considered.”

I closed my eyes and dragged in a heavy breath. “Very well.”

He stepped forward and held out his hands, and when I took them, he squeezed. “Thank you, though. For telling me. For trusting me. I understand that you’d rather do things on your own.”

“Don’t imagine I was asking for help.” I pulled away and strode toward the door. “It’s only that I want to be able to brag I’d warned you after Prince Colin does something awful.”

James smirked, but gave a small, respectful bow. “I’ll see you at the coronation.” Then he was gone.

“That’s it?” Theresa pulled a tie from her braid and began untangling her wind-mussed hair.

“That’s all we can do.” I glared at the door for a moment before peeling off my day dress. The maid would come soon, and she didn’t need to see what I’d done to it.

Theresa sighed. “I don’t like that man. Colin.”

“No one likes him.”

“Is what he said true? Any of it about you and Tobiah?”

“We’ve learned to overcome our differences, more or less.”

More when he’d dressed as Black Knife and I hadn’t known his true identity. Less when he resembled a prince.

She frowned. “You have a look. Your feelings toward him really have changed, haven’t they?”

“It doesn’t matter. He’s getting married and I can continue to be a terrible influence without compromising his honor.” Further compromising, that was. “There’s only one thing you should have taken from that conversation, Rees, and if you think my feelings have anything to do with it, you’re wrong.

“The most important thing we just learned was that Prince Colin is willing to take the throne by slandering Tobiah. And if Tobiah isn’t king, we will never reclaim Aecor.”





FIFTEEN


ONCE, WHEN I was very young, I’d attended a coronation in the kingdom just north of Aecor. The old ruler of Laurel-by-the-Sea had died, leaving his middle-aged son to inherit the small kingdom known mostly for its seafood and salt exports.

My memories of that event were faded, now only glossy impressions of a banquet and soft dresses and my father tucking me against his side as I began to droop halfway through the ball. The briny scent of the sea sharpened the glittering chamber, replaced by a floral perfume as I’d shifted to press my face into my mother’s gown. She’d held me, swaying with the music as though we were dancing, and I’d drifted off to sleep.