Defend the Dawn (Defy the Night #2)(100)

I study both of them. “Do you think this was a trick? Was Captain Blakemore a ruse to separate me from Corrick, to remove the King’s Justice before Consul Cherry and Captain Huxley took action?”

“Possibly,” says Thorin.

His answer is quick, and I frown. A spike of fear enters my heart. I believed Captain Blakemore. I was inspired by his eagerness to help the people of Kandala. I admired the loyalty of his crew.

I encouraged Corrick to get on that ship.

But Quint says, “I don’t think Captain Blakemore was a part of this. His documentation was solid. His story seemed sound. It would be an unnecessarily complicated plan if their goal was simply to separate you from Corrick—especially if they have the guards on their side.” He pauses. “To me, it’s more likely that whoever conspires against the Crown realized Corrick was gone, and the rebel leader was gone, so the time to overthrow the king was now.”

“And here I am,” I say bitterly, “trapped in a tiny workshop once again, while others attempt to take the throne.” I scowl and try to ignore the throbbing pain in my leg. “Only this time, there’s a bounty on my head, and the guards have been turned against me.”

“Not all, Your Majesty,” says Thorin.

Not all. I’m grateful for that, but I’m not sure what the four of us are going to do against the entire kingdom.

I think of young Violet, begging me to come back.

I think of Maxon. You’d do the same, I’m sure.

My throat tightens. The kettle whistles.

I don’t know where to go.

Not to Allisander, obviously. I have no doubt that whatever Laurel Pepperleaf is doing is under his direction. Lissa Marpetta has been keeping to her sector since it was determined that she was also working with Allisander to distribute shoddy medicine. At one point I would have considered Arella Cherry an ally—but not now. Roydan Pelham is out for the same reason. Leander Craft died in the first attack.

So that leaves Jonas Beeching, the consul of Artis, and Jasper Gold, the consul of Mosswell.

To reach Jasper, we’d need to travel to the other side of the Royal Sector.

To reach Jonas, we’d need to cross the Queen’s River.

Both options seem impossible.

And even if I could reach either of them, I have no idea whether they would help me. Consul Beeching asked for funds to build a bridge across the river, and his request was denied. I assume he’s still smarting from the way Corrick refused him, because he also hasn’t been present at court very often.

Then again, his lover was killed by rebels right in front of him. Perhaps his reasons for avoiding court are justified.

Still, the majority of the consuls are working to overthrow the throne. Trusting any of them is too big a risk.

Would the rebels help me? That feels like a dice roll that’s weighted against me. Surely any of them would claim the reward being offered by the palace—and that’s if I could convince any of them to believe I am who I say I am. I think of how Violet sang on the palace steps for hours, barefoot in ragged clothes, and no one was willing to listen to her. If I knocked on anyone’s door and claimed to be the king, most people would likely laugh in my face. They knew Corrick and Tessa, but not me. Lochlan is gone, and he’s the only rebel who knows me well enough to recognize me, even in a state of disarray.

My thoughts freeze on that thought.

Lochlan isn’t the only one.

“Quint,” I say. “Do you remember Tessa’s friend Karri? The girl Lochlan kept by his side?”

“I do.”

“Do you know where she lives?”

He frowns. “She lives in Artis, but I would need access to my papers for her specific address.” He hesitates, thinking. Suddenly, his eyebrows go up. “But she worked for the same Mistress Solomon who employed Tessa. Perhaps we could find her there.”

My heart is pounding again. This is also a risk. I don’t know her well.

But Karri would recognize Quint. She’d be willing to listen.

She wanted to make things better. Just like Tessa.

“What do you recommend?” says Quint, pulling my thoughts back around.

“Take Thorin,” I say. “See if you can find her.”

“Your Majesty—”

“No,” I snap. “And this time you will obey, or I will have Thorin drag you by force. Leave the horses so I have a means to escape, if necessary. But find Karri as quickly as possible. Stay out of sight.”

“What shall we tell her?” says Thorin.

I shift my weight and wince. “Tell her that the king needs her help.”





CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Tessa

Once we have a plan in mind, I want to execute it immediately. I meant what I said to Corrick: I’d make a terrible spy. I don’t mind stealth and danger, but I’m not a good liar.

But Corrick steps out of the room to talk to Rocco, and when he returns, he tells me to wait.

“The crew is too anxious,” he says. “Rocco believes he had someone watching our rooms all night. We need to find out if those ships have drawn closer. We need Blakemore to lower his guard again.”

“How are we going to accomplish that?” I say.

While I button my vest, the prince glances at the porthole, which is just beginning to reveal the faint hint of a pink sky. “Why don’t you go offer to climb the rigging with him.”