Page 43 of Knightfall
“If war breaks out, I’m the biggest target. I’m also likely to—” the geas cut me off. I just pushed past it. “We need the second heir. She needs to be prepared.”
There was a long moment of silence. Then a single clap. My mother smiled at me from her bed. “You see? I told you all that four years wouldn’t lessen her strategic thinking. She’s still sharp as a whip.”
I didn’t smile back. I’d never liked these tests or her methods. Instead, I gave her a sharp nod. I didn’t bother to tell her that her look to Johann had given her away. In a true crisis, my mother never made eye contact. Connor taught me that about her. Even when we’d been eight, before his powers had fully developed, he’d been incredibly perceptive.
“Where did the pegasus poisoning come from?” Peter asks.
“Spent some time on a farm with horses,” I shrugged. I turned back to mother. Now that I’d passed her test, I wanted to discuss real issues. “This morning, a fire salamander was in Avia’s room.”
“Declan’s told me,” Queen Gela responded.
“The creature ran after Avia and only Avia. I’d like extra guards on her.”
“Abbas will take that as a personal offense when he arrives. He’ll think we don’t trust him.”
“I’d like a woman who works for Quinn on her then.”
Mother nods. “Done.”
I swallowed a smile and gave her a nod of thanks.
“Good. Well, I believe I have a long list of current events to catch up on.”
“Yes, and the royal dressmaker will be visiting to help create your ball gown.”
I curtsied and Ryan bowed and we left the room.
Back in the hallway, Ryan ran a hand over his buzzed hair. “She always test you like that?”
“Since I was nine.”
He blew out a breath. “Damn. I thought that was real.”
“We’re supposed to treat it as if it is. Once or twice, she’s given me a real scenario and enacted my advice.”
“What happened?”
“Considering the first time, her lesson was that my actions cost lives … nothing good.”
At the corner, I could see Quinn leaning against a wall, nonchalantly reading a letter. But I had no doubt he’d been listening, probably to every word in the Queen’s chamber, too. He pushed aside his black hair when he stood and slipped the letter into an inner vest pocket.
“Hale,” Ryan grabbed my arm and stopped me.
“Yeah?” I turned to look up at him.
His face was earnest. “If you think Dec needs practice controlling his powers, I’ll help.”
I held his eyes. I heard his words. But it seemed like his eyes said even more than his mouth did. He was offering to help me. Me. The bitch who’d left him high and dry for six years. “You’re sure?”
He nodded. “Better for him anyway. If something ever happened. He should be prepared. Right?”
I couldn’t help the smile that flitted over my face. “Thank you … sir.”
Ryan groaned and threw his head back. “You’re evil.”
“Suppose you’ll have to punish me … sir.”
He laughed. “Quinn, get over here and take Bloss away before I drag her back to my room and keep her there for a month straight.”
