Page 47 of Heir to His Court

Faronne’s council gathered.

We closed the war room down to everyone and warded it with a sound shield. I’d told my father that there were things to discuss that could not be bandied about as House gossip. It was my way of warning him to brace for impact.

Juliette, Numair and Édouard—so I’d assume Tereille as well—knew about Embriel. They did not know about the Vow. If Renaud insisted I swear the High Court oath, the Vow would kill me. Even if the Prince did not, for murdering his only son.

Before the council began, I’d taken Baba aside to have the first of a series of difficult discussions, only to learn that he knew at least one of my secrets. “IamLord Regent, Nya,” he’d said gently. “Of course I knew.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I waited for you to be ready to tell me.” And he’d kissed my forehead.

I checked my mental barriers compulsively. I worried that when stressed or drunk my control would inadvertently slip. Nora was silent—knitting, of all things—in the corner of the room. Aunt Fatma enveloped me in a crushing hug.

Lavendre had emerged, and that was enough for me if I died tomorrow. Well, not quite enough. . .but how many met death with every desperate hope fulfilled? At least I’d die with plenty of enemy blood on my hands—and my mother’s peace successfully brokered.

“You good?” I asked Lavendre when she entered and sprawled in a chair. I tried not to hover.

She’d shaved her dusty blonde curls back to a buzz cut, now bright blue, her ear and nose piercings redone. She wore one of Juliette’s colorful broomstick skirts, and one of my more foul snarky tees—civilian clothing. If I cried because I was so happy she was back to looking like herself, she’d gut me.

“You’re the one riding a dragon’s tail. You killed Embry?” she asked in her raspy voice, shaking her head after I was done explaining the little problem with the Prince’s request. “You’re still alive, so I guess my little sister hasn’t screwed that up.”

“Thanks,” Juliette muttered. “Why did we want you back again?”

Why did I love their abrasive affection? I must feel like I deserved punishment. I’d have to discuss it with Susenne. . .oh, wait. Dying tomorrow. Musn’t forget.

“The Prince gave us no warning,” Numair said coldly. “At no point in the negotiations did he ask for bloodgilt. A demand this late is in bad faith.”

Juliette gave him nasty look that said they’d been arguing about this already, probably through the night. “Then maybe you shouldn’t have pissed him off by contesting his claim. This is vengeance.”

“Why’d you do it?” Lavendre asked me, her eyes old. She was only ten years older than me.

I shook my head. “High Lord Embriel did nothing. In fact, he attempted to save me from myself.”

There was no point in withholding that information. I owed Embriel the truth. My House should know he had behaved honorably, according to what I understood of his ulterior motivations.

“How do you mean?”

“When I was fourteen, the Heir approached me with an offer of sanctuary. At that time, he was aware of his father's interest and sought to shield me from it. I rejected the offer.”

My father's hands were on the table in front of him, his expression shuttered. “Nyawira, when exactly did the Prince begin courting you?”

I didn't want to look at him. “It’s. . .complicated, Baba.”

“Nya—“

“Thirteen.” When he had promised me the Cuffs of the Lady of the Lake.

“Thirteen?” Baba stood, his face ashen. “Thir.. .” he turned away.

“Not how you think,” I said, straightening. “He never touched me.Never.”

The training hadn’t been entirely kind, so I amended my words to avoid choking on a lie. His intentions had been good. That counted.

“Your secret trainer,” Édouard said, thoughts swirling behind his obsidian eyes. “We never had that follow up discussion. How long, Aerinne? And how?”

“They are bonded,” Nora murmured. “It must have begun when she was very young.”

I glared at her. “Not helping,Nur.”

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