Rise of Fire (Reign of Shadows #2)(29)

Still the bishop talked. “If you insist that she’s the late king’s daughter, consider what this means for our alliance, for our kingdom.” He did not know when to stop. Even I knew Tebald’s temper was high and he didn’t need to be pushed further.

“Bishop Frand,” the king cut in. “I was not aware that you were appointed to the role of advisor. Nor are you so insightful that you can call yourself an oracle. No, we have not been fortunate enough to have an oracle in over twenty years. An oracle would be someone useful. We are left instead with you and your unbearably long sermons.”

A taut silence fell over the hall. The king’s displeasure became thick, palpable as the steam that rose from the platters of freshly roasted meat that servers had just deposited on the tables.

“Perhaps you need to take leave of us this evening and drop to your knees in prayer, Frand. After deep and thoughtful reflection, your insights might become something more valuable, something that I may require in the future.” The dismissal was clear.

A heavy, awkward pause followed before the bishop pushed back his chair. The legs scraped over the stone floor, discordant and jarring in the silence. I felt his gaze scour me before his tread signaled his departure, his heavy receding steps indicating a man of great girth. In a world where people were starving and eating bats that led them to madness, he was corpulent.

After he left, the hall gradually revived with conversation and the sounds of eating.

Chasan leaned into my side again. “Already making friends.”

I hesitated in tearing a piece of flaky bread that was seasoned with herbs and a flavorful oil that I had never tasted before. “That’s not my purpose here.”

“Oh. You have a purpose, princess? Enlighten me.”

His derision warned me that Frand wasn’t my only enemy. For whatever reason, this boy did not like me either. “Not that it’s your concern, but once Fowler is well, I’ll be on my way.” He chuckled at that. I stiffened. “Am I the butt of a joke?”

“I’m merely amused.”

“Why is that?”

“You just revealed yourself to be the late King Relhok’s daughter . . . the true heir to Relhok. Cullan, the current ruler of Relhok, is my father’s greatest enemy or ally depending on the day.” He paused, and his arm stretched along the back of my chair, brushing my shoulders in a way that made me lean forward to escape him. “You aren’t going anywhere, princess. Possibly ever.”

The food in my stomach suddenly felt like rocks as I turned his words over in my head. It seemed pretty clear then that the only way I was leaving this place was through a calculated escape. First order of business: ferret out information on all entrances and exits into the castle.

“Scribe!” the king called, his voice carrying over the conversation of everyone in the great hall and drawing my attention from Chasan. “Send for the scribe!”

Moments passed, and whisper-soft footsteps scurried over the polished floor. “Here, Your Majesty.”

“Are you ready? Take a missive.” King Tebald didn’t wait for an answer before continuing, “It is with great joy that I share the news of the princess of Relhok’s survival and good health . . .” The scratching of quill on parchment filled the air. “She is safe and well and resides with us where, fear not, she will continue to prosper under our most diligent care and affections . . .”

“Father, are you certain that you should alert him that we have her?” the prince asked, an edge to his voice.

Have her. As though I were a possession.

The significance of this sank in, and hope flared to life in me. Cullan would know I lived. He’d have no reason to continue killing girls in his hunt for me. “Yes,” I blurted. “Do it. Let him know.” Please, please, let him know.

Chasan leaned closer again, his liquid voice turning acidic. “You’re not fully apprehending the situation. If Cullan killed your parents to control Relhok, he will not wish you well. He believes you dead now. Are you certain you wish to alert him to the contrary?”

“He already knows,” I responded, my tone urgent, excited at stopping the slaughter of so many innocents with a mere letter from Tebald. “He’s looking for me. That’s what motivated his kill order. If he knows I live, he’ll lift the kill order. There will be no need for it.”

“He may very well be looking for you, but he doesn’t know where you are.”

“Let him know,” I boldly tossed down.

At my emphatic words, the king chuckled lightly, alerting me that he had been listening from where he sat addressing the scribe. “You do remind me of your mother. She was a fine, spirited lass, too. Kind and full of mettle.” I smiled. I couldn’t stop myself. I no longer had this—no longer had Perla and Sivo whispering of past things.

I listened with a light heart as the scribe finished taking down the king’s message.

“Idiot girl,” Chasan muttered beside me.

I bristled, liking him even less with every passing moment.

“That takes care of that,” Tebald announced. “Cullan will know you live now and that you are here. You and Prince Fowler.”

“How long will it take for him to receive the missive?” I asked, anxiousness making me sit up straighter.

“Not long. We’ll send a courier bird out with it at once.”