Defend the Dawn (Defy the Night #2)(20)

I smooth my hands along my skirts, then frown. He could have been killed. He could’ve been the killer. How does he go through every day like this?

I wonder if he’s regretting the way he told the guards to take the man to the Hold. I imagine the King’s Justice from a month ago might have let that blade go another inch, just to send a message. I don’t want to think so—but again, I’m afraid of the answer, so I don’t ask the question.

Corrick is studying me now, and his voice turns very careful. “I know Karri is your friend, but I don’t trust Lochlan.” He pauses. “You shouldn’t either.”

I glance at the window again, because I don’t want to meet his eyes. “Lochlan told her the same thing about me—in regards to you.”

“He was very displeased with the way the meeting progressed. It could have been a trap.”

“It wasn’t a trap.”

“He wouldn’t even have to coerce Karri. She wouldn’t have to know. He just needed to get you there.” The prince’s eyes narrow. “As much as I hate him, he’s not a fool. He could have drugged your drink, made you feel a bit woozy so they’d have to help you outside—”

“Corrick.” I bring my gaze back to his. “It wasn’t a trap. He’s right to be anxious. It’s life or death for them. You remember.”

“It’s life or death for us, too.” Corrick’s eyes don’t leave mine, and his tone is unyielding. “He used you against me once before.”

When we were captured together, and Lochlan figured out that Weston Lark was truly Prince Corrick. They nearly beat him to death. I don’t want to think about that.

I don’t want to think about Lochlan using Karri against me either.

“That was different,” I say.

“Was it? How?”

He’s not challenging me, not really, but my skin feels hot and prickly. I don’t know how the whole day has gone so wrong. I scowl and frown.

After a moment, he says, “Are you frightened?”

I swallow, and my throat feels thick. I can’t look at him, but I nod.

“The guards will take the man to the Hold. He’ll stand trial. You weren’t his target.”

I don’t know how to respond, so I keep my gaze trained on the window.

“Or,” he says quietly, “are you frightened of me?”

I don’t answer, and he makes an aggravated noise and runs a hand over the back of his neck.

“I’m sorry,” I say.

“Lord, Tessa, I don’t want you to be sorry.” He pauses. “He was going to kill me. That was his goal.”

“I know. I heard him. I just—” I break off and hold my breath. Sometimes, I think about my position and what I’ve accomplished. I’m helping the king find a better path to medicine for the people.

But when I think about everything they’ve done wrong, I question whether I’m on the right side.

“I wasn’t going to kill him,” Corrick says. “But I had to make him think it. I had to make them all think it.”

I hate that he made me think it. “Why?” I whisper.

“Because the King’s Justice can’t go soft overnight. The people are already emboldened. No one would have dared to attack me in public a few weeks ago.” He makes an aggravated sound again. “This was so much easier as outlaws.”

I want to disagree with him, but I can’t. It was easier. “No one trusts anyone now.”

He sits back against the cushions. “Welcome to life at court.”

I scowl. My fingers have ceased their trembling, but my insides feel tight and unhappy. “What happened with the ship from Ostriary? Did you really need me for something, or was that to get me out of the shop?”

“Oh. Yes. I want you to look at some flower petals and tell me if they’re truly Moonflower.”

“The palace physicians weren’t sure?”

“They are, but after they didn’t detect the difference in the petals Allisander was supplying to the palace, I still can’t decide if they’re incompetent or traitors.”

“Where did they come from?”

“Captain Rian Blakemore arrived with a chest full of them.”

“The emissary?”

“The spy. His father was supposedly sent by my parents years ago. He says he has two dozen crates of Moonflower on his ship—and the means to get more. He claims that the king of Ostriary would like to begin trade negotiations, because they are lacking in resources for iron and steel. Kandala, of course, has quite a bit.”

There’s a note in his voice I can’t quite parse out. “You don’t believe him.”

“I’m not sure yet. But Harristan has invited him to dine with us.” He pulls a jeweled pocket watch out of his jacket and glances at the face. “We should arrive in time for you to prepare.”

My eyebrows go up. “I’m to join you?”

“I’ve surprised you again?”

“A little.”

“Quint will attend, too. Captain Blakemore has made more than a few references to my reputation, so Harristan felt it would do well to have you attend to keep the conversation a bit more …”

“Honest?”