The Traitor Queen (The Traitor Spy Trilogy #3)(109)

Then he heard a familiar mental voice and he felt cold rush through his body. It was the same mental voice that had spoken into his own mind months before in Sanctuary, the same presence that had gone seeking information he did not want to give.

—… they’ll blame her. All the deaths. I’ll make sure they do … can’t let Savara rule … better if she dies in battle … arrange that … but how? When she’s weak … Speakers will falter. Tyvara is too young … foolish to pick her … nobody will follow her … better if she dies too … but how?

Lorkin realised he had been holding his breath, and made himself exhale slowly and quietly. I was wrong. Now that she’s not subconsciously hiding her thoughts they are loud and clear. They’ve been amplified by malice and glee. She’s going to make sure Savara dies in the coming battle. Tyvara too, if she can.

Did Savara know? Surely she saw that Kalia would take advantage of any situation that would weaken her position or get rid of her. But Savara didn’t know how far Kalia was prepared to go.

If I tell her, I’ll have to reveal that I can read surface thoughts. Mother warned me not to do that. He had to admit, his mother was right. He wouldn’t like to know that someone could read his thoughts so easily. Not even someone he liked. Even if he understood their ability was very limited he’d still be constantly wondering which thoughts they’d heard. He’d want to stay away from them, in case he let slip something private or a secret entrusted to him.

Would Tyvara feel that way? How would I feel if Tyvara could read my surface thoughts? He looked at her, lying beside him, eyes closed and breathing slowly. I trust her. Then why hadn’t he told her about the slave girl he’d killed? I don’t want her to think I could do that.

But he had. Perhaps it was time he told her. No. One challenging admission at a time. Warning her about Kalia is more important. And I have to warn her, even if it means revealing my ability to Tyvara. If Kalia’s plan works, they’ll both die.

He reached out to touch Tyvara’s arm. She frowned but her eyes remained closed.

—Tyvara.

Her eyes fluttered open. As her gaze met his he felt a rush of affection. She was so beautiful, even in the dim light. She must have sensed it, as he felt surprise, pleasure and then a mix of fondness and, gratifyingly, desire.

—Lorkin? What’s going on? Her mental voice was fuzzy with sleep.

—Kalia is planning to betray Savara.

Her eyes widened and he felt her stiffen under his touch, and sensed alarm sweep aside affection.

—How do you know?

—I can only tell you if you promise not to tell anybody else. She stared at him.

—I promise, but only if it doesn’t endanger my people.

—It won’t. He explained, and told her what he had overheard. Tyvara’s eyes widened as he did.

—You can … how long have you been able to do this?

—Since I was in the palace prison. Mother says people believed my father could do it. She thought it was an exaggeration. That he was unusually observant.

—How often have you picked up surface thoughts from me?

—Not often. When we were reunited I heard a few words. That was when I realised I hadn’t been imagining it before. Since then … not deliberately. Only once or twice by accident. I have to concentrate hard, and it doesn’t seem polite to listen in on other people’s thoughts.

—Except with Kalia. She sounded amused.

—No. I was certain she was planning something. Now I know for sure. Savara is in danger. You are too.

—And you. Savara’s approval and confidence in you goes a long way to convince others that you can be trusted. She frowned as if something had occurred to her.

—What is it?

—How does someone accidentally concentrate hard?

His heart skipped and he sensed suspicion. Was she repelled by him now? He searched for an answer that she might approve of.

—When I’m paying particularly close attention to you.

Abruptly her frown vanished and she grinned.

—There could be some interesting advantages in having someone around who knows when you want something.

He rolled his eyes.

—How about we stop thinking of ways you can order me around and work out what to do about Kalia.

Her smile faded.

—We have to tell Savara.

—Can we do that without revealing my new ability to her? Can we just tell her that we overheard Kalia speaking?

—Lie to Savara? I can’t do that. Besides, she’ll want to know who Kalia was talking to.

—Not lie, avoid telling more than we have to for now. We’ll say she was talking to herself.

—Kalia debating betrayal aloud? She isn’t that stupid. Savara is going to need proof if she’s to deal with Kalia.

—Then she’ll have to prove to everyone that I can do this and that my word can be trusted. Kalia will point out that I’ve kept a secret from them all and say it’s proof I’m a spy.

Savara let out a little sigh of frustration. Lorkin took her hand and squeezed it.

—At least we know Kalia is planning something. We can keep an eye on her. Wait until she makes her move, then stop her.

—That’s not going to look good. Savara will be angry that we didn’t warn her. Kalia will claim we set her up. No. We have to tell Savara. I can’t see any other way. But I don’t think she’ll tell anyone else. It will make people distrust you, and that will cause too many problems for us right now.