More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
laughed. I thought perhaps I’d be miserable in my duties. The first time I saw you smile, I thought, ‘I should write down the date because this will likely never happen again.’ So I did. Then it did happen again, a month later, and I wrote that down, too. And then again, six weeks after that. It became a . . . a habit.
“Every time you smile, it’s a reminder of how much of that you lock away. And that’s what I was falling for.”
“No more talking,” I say roughly, because as usual, he’s spun me past irritation and captured me with devotion. If he keeps going, there’s a chance I’ll reveal any secret, swear to any oath, and offer him the entire kingdom.
He was writing down the dates when I smiled. Good lord. It’s the most insane thing I’ve ever heard.
Corrick ordered a lot of terrible things as King’s Justice, but there’s a difference between execution and torture. A difference between justice and torment.
“Because that ambush killed off most of our traveling party, and you retaliated. That boy Nook has been telling everyone that you called a guard off him so he could escape. You stood with the people in the Wilds against men who were once loyal to you.” His voice turns solemn. “Everyone who was there saw how much it cost you.”
“Because you’ve won them over.” He nods at the man splitting wood, and the man looks startled at the acknowledgment, then nods back. “None of these people are turning us in now. We’re safer than we ever were. I wouldn’t leave Leah and the kids alone if I were worried.”
“If you threw yourself in front of a guard to protect a boy—as the story goes—then no one here is ever going to be convinced you were poisoning the people. No matter what the consuls say, you’ve won over the Wilds.” I’ve won over the Wilds. My heart pounds. Now I just need to win over the sectors.
“Lord,” I say, and I have to run a hand down my face. “Not the taxes and shipping levies again. As much as they like to ignore it, they must realize it costs silver to run the kingdom, surely. Where exactly do you think your own pay comes from, Sommer?”
“You want to know what I think? On the day we escaped your execution, I think you wanted it to happen. I think you were relieved.”
The cruelty is an illusion. Because you’re right: I don’t want to do any of it.” I pause. “But who else is there?”
A quick death might be a mercy on the dying, but it’s usually not for anyone else.”
“Still breathing, Cory.” I give him a nod. “Still breathing.” Then I reach out and clasp his hand.
“Rian and I share a father.” She scowls and takes a sip of her coffee. “And a horrific uncle. Faithfulness and honor don’t seem to be qualities that run very clearly through the family tree.”
I trust Erik, but this is a different kind of comfort, to share grief with someone who can understand it so acutely. “No. I’ll tell you everything.”
“The loss hits you over and over again, and always when you least expect it.”
Everyone in Kandala hid so much: what they wanted, what they felt, who they really were.
I try to imagine King Harristan walking among the people, and I can’t even picture it.
He was twice your size—” I give him a withering look. “That’s quite impossible.” “Please don’t ruin my memory. He was possibly three times your size, and you—” “That’s enough, Palace Master.”
Go ahead, I think. Enjoy ruling while the country is at war. But no. I could never do that to my people. Sallister would hand over the keys to the kingdom if it meant he got to hold on to his silver.
I simply cannot comprehend how he manages to be so kind and so vexing and so determined—and so optimistic.
When the afternoons were quiet, he’d ask me to read off my notes, and I began to realize that writing things down actually helped me remember a great deal—instead of allowing me to forget.
He said, ‘Quint always knows every detail. You’ll do whatever he tells you needs doing.’
I remember what I was like before my parents were killed, before I was forced to rule a kingdom that seemed determined to tear itself apart. I very likely would have fallen for him on the spot.
And maybe Rian has made mistakes, but so did Harristan. So did Corrick. So have I. We’re all just doing our best with the information we have.
Then he says, “Tessa?” My heart stops. I can’t breathe. The dagger falls out of my hand and clatters to the floor. It’s impossible.
I have Corrick back, and I can face any challenge.
“Was this a trap for me the whole time?” says Corrick. Rian shrugs. “Only since I knew it was really you.”
If you wanted steel so badly, you could’ve worked with me, trapped Oren Crane, and again, I would have been willing to negotiate with my brother on your behalf.” He takes hold of my hand. “Now, I will not.”
But Jonas immediately looks to his guards. “Send word to the border at once. Let’s remind Sallister that he doesn’t control the king’s army yet. Wake my medical team. I’m certain there will be injuries.”
“As I said, I don’t want your surrender.” Jonas looks between us both, then taps the letter. “This girl has spent the last few hours convincing me to be your ally.”
“Thank you,” he says. “You’re welcome, Weston. Thank you for the muffin.”
“No!” he shouts. “Weston Lark is our captain now. You will surrender to him or I’ll throw you over the side.”
“Would you be willing to allow Princess Olive to act as liaison for negotiations with Ostriary?” Corrick smiles. “Ah, Tessa.” He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles, then gives Olive a nod. “Princess Olive, I would indeed.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ve seen the way the people from the Wilds look at you when you walk among them. I think they would all hug you like that if they could.”
I’m so grateful for his presence, and I realize I’ve always been grateful for his presence.
“So are you saying that you will join Consul Beeching? You will support my claim to the throne?” “I will,” Roydan says. Arella nods. “As will I.”
They’re prepared to destroy the ship upon arrival unless you surrender to them at dawn tomorrow.”
“So I am to sacrifice myself or I am to sacrifice my brother,” I say quietly. She nods. It’s no choice at all really. Cory has been sacrificing himself for me for years. I know what I have to do.
He’ll hang anyone who comes with me, you know that—” “I do know that.” His voice is so quiet, his hands so gentle against my wrists. “I’ll go with you.”
“But this is the most regal thing you’ve ever done.”
Or maybe I’m just . . . allowing myself to see it. New information, like Erik said that day in the woods.
“Haven’t you learned? Love changes things.”
“That’s not all I wrote.” “You didn’t write nearly enough.”
“I’m going to hide in the servants’ hallway and light the explosives behind the throne room.”
“Quint. Corrick needs you—” “No, Harristan.” He takes my hand. “You need me.”
Lord. No. I forgot matches.
Quint’s hand never leaves mine. I’m gripping so tight. So is he. I kiss him one last time, pulling his hand to my heart. Then I find the box of matches. My hands are shaking so hard that I nearly drop them all. Quint reaches out and steadies me, his fingers supporting mine. “For Kandala,” he says. I nod. “For Kandala.” Then I strike the match.
“Miss Karri stands with Consul Beeching,” says Rocco, when no one answers Lochlan’s question. “Along with Thorin and Saeth of the king’s guard.”
I know who he’s looking for. I don’t say a word, but I look for him, too. So does Lochlan.
