The Wish Granter (Ravenspire #2)(47)

“Thad.” She wrapped her arm around his shoulders, and he leaned against her the way he had throughout their childhood when she was his only source of comfort in the face of a father who expected perfection, peers who treated him like a pariah, and a mother too overworked and overtired to know what to do with a son who was being groomed for a life so far above her own.

“I’m sorry I ever saw Teague. Sorry I made that stupid wish. I just wanted to protect you, but now I can’t even protect anyone in my entire kingdom. Teague is ravaging the streets. He burned down a merchant’s shop. Killed a woman on the docks and took her children. Sent his employees to rob any shop whose owner refused to pay Teague a tax on each item sold. Crime is growing. And I sit here impotent because to lift a finger against him would make my contract instantly due.” He turned to her. “You aren’t going to like hearing this, but I can’t keep standing idly by while Teague ruins Súndraille. I’ve given permission for the assassination plan to move forward whenever Ajax can find the right moment. I’m going to present you as the heir, make sure the alliances I’ve been building with you in the Assembly and with key officials are secure, and then I’m going to set the city guard against Teague’s men. If he’s still alive, he’ll come for me, and you will become queen.”

Panic flared, bright and jagged. “I just need more time, Thad. Just give me a little more time. Don’t do anything rash.”

“It isn’t rash, Ari. Over the last weeks, our people have begun to suffer because of Teague. If I don’t take action to protect them, I don’t deserve to wear the crown.”

Quick footsteps sounded outside the dining room door, and Thad instantly straightened and shoved his last bite of muffin into his mouth. The bounty hunters entered the room, moving with a controlled grace and speed that Ari would never be able to manage even on her best day.

Thad’s countenance transformed into the beaming, genial expression he wore for welcoming honored visitors from other kingdoms. “Hansel. Gretel. I hope you slept well.”

“Like a changeling,” Hansel said.

Gretel just flicked her gaze over Ari and Thad and then turned to get some food from the sideboard.

“I was just telling my sister that the palace is hosting a ball three nights from now. I would be honored to have you in attendance.”

“What would I do at a ball?” Gretel asked, her voice as controlled as her movements.

“You would dance, you absolute infidel.” Hansel laughed, but there was something forced about it. He flashed a grin at Thad and Ari. “She’s spent so much time tracking down beasties, she hardly knows how to do anything else.”

“If you haven’t brought proper attire, I’m sure our seamstress could make something to suit you,” Thad said.

Gretel set her plate on the table across from Ari and said, “We’re leaving in an hour.”

“Oh.” Thad sat back, and Ari understood his disappointment. They’d hoped to have several days to build an alliance with the hunters to get more information about Teague’s history on Llorenyae.

“Business calls.” Hansel sat down beside his sister and took a huge bite of sausage.

“Where will you go next?” Ari asked.

Hansel swallowed. “On to the port in Balavata, and from there a truly wearying camel ride into Akram with the majority of our cargo.”

“Akram?” Thad asked.

Hansel smiled. “Our best customers. Maqbara prison can’t seem to keep their beasties alive for long.”

A page stepped into the room. “If I could have a moment, Your Highness.”

“Of course.” Thad stood and then turned to the bounty hunters. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance. You are always welcome here when you come through Kosim Thalas. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

They stood and bowed—Hansel with a flourish and Gretel with the barest show of respect—and then resumed their seats as Thad left the room.

Ari tapped her fork against the tablecloth. She needed information about Llorenyae, about the fae, that only someone with an intimate knowledge of the place would have. If she could build the beginnings of an alliance on the ballroom floor in the space of time it took to dance a contradanse, she could do the same over a plate of breakfast food.

“These muffins are delicious,” Hansel said.

Ari nodded and glanced at the open door. Staff bustled by on errands and chores, but for the moment, she was alone with the bounty hunters. It was an opportunity she couldn’t pass by.

She looked up and found Gretel watching her with her eerily pale blue eyes. “I’ve always wondered about the fae.”

Gretel’s gaze didn’t waver, but Hansel shifted in his chair. “They’re best left alone, Princess,” he said.

“Yes,” Gretel said softly. “Stay in your safe little palace and leave them alone. You don’t want anything to do with the fae.”

“How did you two end up on Llorenyae? Isn’t it mostly fae?”

“There are human cities scattered throughout, each with its own leader, but all humans acknowledge the royalty of their respective fae court as the ultimate ruler of their half of the isle,” Hansel said.

Ari frowned. “You mean the Summer and Winter courts?”

Hansel nodded. “Half the isle belongs to the Summer Queen and half to the Winter King.”