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“Sixteen,” I said mildly.
Confusion and irritation fought for dominance across Tymedes’s face. Confusion won. “Excuse me?”
“Sixteen generals. That is how many men have been in your place since I married Sabium. All of them were in charge of the king’s guard. Just as you are now.”
He opened his mouth, and I merely held up a finger.
“Four were poisoned. You see, they were popular enough that Sabium couldn’t outright order their deaths—he had to be subtle. And you can be sure His Majesty vowed to avenge them once they were buried. Three generals were victims of the battlefield. Five were publicly put to death for failing Sabium. Three died in skirmishes with the fae. And one had the unlucky task of telling his king that the hybrid queen had destroyed his capital city after Sabium attacked their kingdom.” I pretended to wince. “His death lasted for days.”
Tymedes’s face had gone very pale. I gave him a sweet smile. “So, General, believe me when I tell you I care not for what you think of me. Unlike the sixteen before you, and the many who will come after you, I have lived in this castle for years, witness to its horrors but safe in the knowledge that Sabium needs me. When the day comes and he orders your death, I promise to act very shocked.” I lowered my voice as if we were sharing secrets. “But we both know I will be celebrating.”
A muscle twitched in his cheek. With a grim nod, he unfolded his body and left my carriage, stalking back into the castle.
I waited until he was gone, and then I shuffled over to the door, holding out my hand. One of my guards instantly appeared, helping me from the carriage.
“Thank you.”
I took dinner in my rooms, then paced, waiting for Pelysian. When my eyes had grown heavy and I’d accepted that he wasn’t coming, he strode into my room with lithe grace. His hair was ruffled, as if he had just shoved his hand through it, while his dark eyes remained as inscrutable as ever.
“Where were you?” I demanded.
“I heard of the hybrid heir’s capture. I assumed you would want me to attempt to locate the prison.”
My heart thudded. “Have you found it?”
“No, Your Majesty. But our spies are doing everything they can.”
My hands were twisting together, and I forced them apart. “If she dies…”
“I know.” He took a step closer. “There are only so many places that would make sense for it to be. It needs to be close enough to the caves that she could have been transported there quickly—without drawing attention—while far enough from the nearest village to avoid curious eyes. The guards would need to take her along quiet trails that are both wide enough for a carriage but quiet enough that sightings of the king’s men won’t spread across the area. We will find it, Your Majesty.”
Pelysian had never disappointed me before. But the stakes had never been this high either.
“What can I do?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Stay calm, ensure Sabium does not suspect you.”
The usual. I was so tired of playing my part.
Pelysian was still watching me closely, his expression thoughtful.
I waved a hand. “Clearly, you have something to say. Speak.”
His mouth curved. “I heard about the…situation in your carriage,” he said.
“And?”
“Do you believe it is wise to make an enemy of the man currently overseeing the king’s guard?”
“Currently is the word to pay attention to in that sentence. Besides, if there is one thing I have learned, it’s that it is better for a man to make you his enemy than for him to believe you are helpless. Men respect their enemies, but they prey on the weak.”
“I’m not sure he is an enemy you wish to make.”
I ignored that. “Tell me, what do you know of the pirate queen?”
His gaze turned intent. “I’m unsure what you mean.”
“Sabium ordered her death months ago. And yet she lives. I want to know how, and if she would ally with us.”
