Page 37 of Royal Rebel

“This ring meant a great deal to him. I never saw him without it.” Tamar fingered the silver band, moisture shining in her eyes. “This is a kind and beautiful gesture, Princess. Truly. But I cannot take this from you. He loved you so much. In many ways, you were like a daughter to him.” She passed the ring back and wrapped Serene’s fingers around it. Squeezing gently, she said, “Keep it. And perhaps one day, give it to your son or daughter. Let his legacy live on in the future he dedicated his life to protecting.”

Serene’s throat grew tight. She fisted the ring, the metal digging into her palm. “Thank you.”

Tamar’s smile wavered with emotion. She leaned in and pressed a kiss to Serene’s forehead. It was an almost motherly gesture, and Serene hadn’t felt that kind of comfort or affection in far too long.

As Serene slipped the ring back onto her thumb, Tamar asked, “How is Princess Imara?”

“Awake and alert. We don’t know yet how lasting the damage will be.”

Tamar sighed. “There have been too many tragedies lately.” Her eyes drifted across the room, and she almost smiled. “I’m glad today was a victory.”

Serene followed her gaze and found Desfan had moved away from the two council members, and he was now laughing with a group of his sailor friends.

One of Desfan’s greatest strengths seemed to be his personable nature. Whether he was talking to sailors or high-ranking nobles, he seemed perfectly at ease.

As Serene watched, one of the sailors linked arms with Desfan and Karim and began belting out a song. The man sang horribly off-key, but Desfan joined in almost at once, and the other crewmembers followed suit. Karim—after a shake from Desfan—began to sing as well.

Serene and Tamar weren’t the only ones looking on as the new serjan sang with his old crew. And, Serene was pleased to note, she didn’t see any looks of disapproval. Then again, she didn’t see Serai Yahri.

Razan moved to stand on Tamar’s other side, her lips twitching as she followed their gazes to the singing men.

Desfan was grinning, and even Karim was smiling now. Fates, the bodyguard was handsome. He should smile more.

Tamar looked at Razan. “How goes your attempt to win back the illusive Karim Safar?”

Razan lifted one slim shoulder, which sent a ripple through the shimmering fabric of her scarlet sari. “Progress seems to come and go like a wave.”

The men hit an excruciatingly high note, and several nobles winced.

Razan chuckled. “Considering the fact he’s singing, Desfan probably convinced him to drink something, which means I might make a little more progress tonight.”

Serene had seen some of the interplay between Razan and Karim since the woman had arrived in Duvan. She’d been recently appointed to the Mortisian council, and it had quickly become clear that she and Karim had a history. Serene didn’t know their full story, just that they’d met years ago, and they hadn’t parted on good terms.

“I thought you were making real progress after that dance you shared at Eyrinthia’s Ball,” Tamar said to Razan.

Serene’s cheeks warmed as she recalled that night. She was suddenly very aware of Cardon, though he hadn’t moved any closer.

“That dance wasn’t quite as loving as it may have looked,” Razan said, a bit dryly.

Tamar laughed. “Oh, he looked quite angry. But then, so did you. And any dance with high emotion is interesting, at the very least.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Razan admitted. “It was . . . interesting.”

Serene met Razan’s gaze. “What exactly is keeping you apart, if I may ask?”

She bit the inside of her cheek. “It’s quite a long story. The important parts are, years ago I found myself on thePhoenixwith Karim and Desfan. Karim and I grew quite close. The only problem was, I betrayed him and Desfan.”

Serene’s eyes rounded.

Razan nodded. “I’m sure that comes as a surprise, considering everything.”

Yes, like the fact Desfan had appointed her to the council.

The Mortisian woman fingered the long stem of her glass. “I didn’t think I had a choice at the time, but my betrayal put them both in danger. Desfan forgave me. Karim did not.”

“He cares for you,” Tamar said. “Anyone can see it.”

“Except for him,” Razan muttered.

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