The Silent Shield (Kingfountain #5)(56)

He gave her a pointed look that made her throat catch.

It felt as if the warmth of the room was closing in on her.

“You’ve invaded my kingdom,” she said, trying to gather her wits to her. “You’ve threatened my king.”

Gahalatine shrugged. “Yes, I tend to do that. Tryneowy, I implore you to hear my side. I’m sure you realize that I’ve caught you in my little trap. There are no ley lines from the High Tower. My guardians allowed you to wander in here. I didn’t want it to be too easy, for fear you’d fly away like you did the last time. So much of what I’ve learned about you fascinates me.” He swallowed, taking several steps closer to her, not in a threatening way, but like someone curious to know more. It put more distance between him and Lady Evie. One thing he didn’t seem to know about was the Tay al-Ard she had strapped to her arm. He might not have even heard about the destruction of his fleet at Ploemeur.

“I have heard much about you as well,” she said, matching his tone and a little of his haughtiness. “But what I’ve learned has only deepened my concern about the kind of man you are.”

His brow furrowed. “It is not unjust to claim authority over a kingdom by right of conquest. The history of Kingfountain is ripe with such tales. Surely that cannot offend you.”

Trynne shook her head. “You have that right, as does any king.” She paused and added, “We once had a king whose words could influence people. He was known as a tyrant.”

Gahalatine looked offended. “Are you comparing me with Severn Argentine?”

“No, I fear you may be worse,” Trynne replied, jutting out her chin. She stepped deeper into the room, approaching him but keeping Evie within her field of vision. “You can tell a lot about a man by the dogs he keeps on a leash and the ones he lets roam free.”

Gahalatine’s look changed to one of surprise. His eyebrows lifted. He tapped his heart with his finger. “I am the one on the leash,” he growled. He stepped closer to her. They were still far enough apart that he could not touch her. “And I cannot achieve the vision I have without a strong, courageous woman at my side. I seek, Tryneowy, to change the game that has been played out since the world was new and the boundaries of the Deep Fathoms were first established. The people truly suffer with hunger, blight, and disease because of the squabbling of their leaders and those who crave coin more than they do the well-being of their fellows. And you cannot tell me that such tortures do not happen in your kingdom. I pity the weak and the dispossessed. And I firmly believe that the populace of Kingfountain would welcome my benevolent hand if someone they trusted and respected stood at my side. Think on it, Tryneowy. Together, we could remake the world.”

He was using his magic on her. She saw it was not deliberate—he wasn’t trying to manipulate or coerce her. His convictions were so much a part of his character and his nature that the magic simply spilled out of him when he spoke about them. He was utterly confident that he was meant to rule the world.

But the power of his words, his convictions, could not pierce her heart. The magic of his words swept around her, leaving her with a strong sense of herself and what she believed. And she believed that it was King Drew’s right to rule his own lands. That the Fountain had established him as the benevolent ruler who would—and had—brought peace, slowly, bit by bit. Gahalatine was a like a flood that threatened to sweep everything away. Drew was more patient, steadier. His Wizrs had always served him willingly. Gahalatine obviously wrestled with his own.

“You cannot make me believe you,” Trynne said softly, piercing him with her gaze.

“I know,” he said, a smile on his face. “Do you have any idea how far I have searched for someone like you? There are two young women from the Ceredigion Court who are Fountain-blessed. You and another. The Mandaryn have tried goading and coaxing me into taking the Argentine girl.” His nostrils flared. “The daughter of a king. That is who they would choose for me. But I will not heed the Mandaryn or take a wife of their choosing.” He paused, looking into her eyes, then said, “I fear they have abducted your father. I have had my trusted allies searching for him this last year, and if he were in my domain, I would know of it. So I suspect they are keeping him somewhere in your king’s lands. When I attacked at Guilme, I had hoped to negotiate a marriage treaty with your father for your hand. And now you are here and within my power. Do not flee from me, gentle Tryneowy. You may be the only one who can save me from them.”

Trynne swallowed, her ears ringing from his declarations. Was this the husband her mother had foreseen for her? Was that why Sinia had looked so sad whenever Trynne had asked about the vision?

The door of the chamber was yanked open and guardswomen stormed inside, swords drawn. A man with a silver mask stood amongst them.

“That is her!” He pointed at Trynne. “She is the poisoner from Pisan! She will kill the emperor!”

“Stop!” Gahalatine shouted angrily, holding up his hand. “Be silent!”

Trynne had been so caught up in the rush of magic pouring out of Gahalatine that she hadn’t sensed another source of power building up outside the room. The Mandaryn with the silver mask was using the magical device in his possession to control the guardswomen. They were convinced Trynne was a dangerous threat.

“There are blades in her bag!” the Mandaryn shouted. “Kill her!”