Page 72 of Pretense

Edmund hunched under the weight as well. This was why the Mongavarian spies hadn’t moved to assassinate Farrendel and Essie earlier. The spies had been waiting and watching, gathering information as they tried to figure out how best to destroy Escarland’s alliance with Tarenhiel.

When they had stumbled across the information about Farrendel’s illegitimacy thanks to their spying on the Times, they had seen their chance. They had leaked the information that the truth was going to get out, knowing it would draw Farrendel and Essie to Escarland at a time of their choosing. They knew the scandal would cause Averett to call a press conference, giving their head editor—and most likely chief spy—the chance to raid the records of the Intelligence Office.

Mongavaria didn’t have the information to pull off a mass assassination of the elven royalty. But Escarland’s Intelligence Office did.

An assassination of the entire elven royal family was the only way to break the alliance to the point that Tarenhiel would stand aside while Mongavaria got its fingers into Escarland, one way or another. Perhaps, once Escarland was in its clutches, Mongavaria would turn its sights on Tarenhiel next, gobbling up one kingdom after another.

As to why Mongavaria seemed to intent on expanding their kingdom now, Edmund didn’t know the answer to that. Not yet, anyway.

“We aren’t going to let that happen.” Averett straightened, the weariness dropping away. “Escarland caused this mess, and we’ll stand by Tarenhiel while we fix it. Edmund, report to General Bloam and let him know what you discovered. I’m going to send a message to Weylind and warn him. Julien, rally the guards. I want every worker, reporter, and editor at the Sentinel arrested by morning.”

Edmund slumped against his desk, his stomach churning as much as it had the moment Essie had been shot in front of him.

He had caused this. His plan—a plan that was never supposed to be implemented—was now in the hands of enemies of both Escarland and Tarenhiel.

And it was all Edmund’s fault. He was a spy, and yet he had not managed to catch the spies in his own backyard.

“I’m going to track him down.” Edmund met Averett’s gaze, holding it. “After I report to General Bloam, I’m going to follow the spy to Tarenhiel. Weylind can prepare all he wants, but I know the plan. I know the locations of the safe houses. It will take a spy to catch this assassin before he kills anyone.”

Averett gave a sharp nod. “Understood. I’ll let Weylind know that help will be coming.”

As Averett and Julien headed for the door, Jalissa turned hard eyes on Edmund. “I am coming with you.”

Edmund shook his head. “No. I will move faster alone, and I’m trained for this.”

Based on how easily this man pulled off a heist inside Winstead Palace, he was good. Very good.

Jalissa raised her chin. “I am coming. This is my family.”

“I know.” Edmund dragged his hand over his face. “But it will be dangerous, tracking him. I can’t risk having someone inexperienced with me.”

Jalissa crossed her arms, holding his gaze. “He knows you are a spy. After all, he knew to search for the information you gathered. He will be watching for you. But he will not be looking for a couple. I can be a part of your cover.”

That was a good point. Something unexpected could be the difference between spooking the spy and catching him.

There was one other concern, however.

Edmund put on his light-hearted persona, and a smile eased onto his face. “If you spend that much time alone with me, you’d have to marry me.”

Jalissa huffed and waved his words away. “Sarya will come too, of course.”

Great. Another person who could slow him down.

Yet, both Jalissa and Sarya had caught on quickly over the past week. Jalissa had not been a hindrance, and her presence would make getting across the border into Tarenhiel easier, if they were stopped by any border guards.

Besides, he knew her deepest fears. If she stayed behind, she would struggle with the crushing worry for her family.

“Can you guarantee that your brother won’t kill me when he finds out?”

“Which brother?”

“Weylind.” Edmund shrugged. “I’m Farrendel’s favorite brother-in-law.”

A slight smile creased Jalissa’s face. “I told you, I can handle Weylind.”

He probably shouldn’t agree. He would put her in danger. Both physical danger and the danger of scandal.

But a large part of him wanted her at his side. She had proven herself again and again. During the war. During this past week. While she was not a warrior, she was smart, observant, and tough in her own way.

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