I told her about Luna’s visit and our discussion and my new-to-me title.
“Does anyone get to tell the gods-damned truth anymore?” she muttered.
“Not where the Aetheric is concerned.”
“How are you feeling about it?”
I rubbed my temples against the burgeoning headache. “Unsettled. Right now I have all the danger and none of the benefits.”
“Here,” she said, shifting over in the bed and patting the empty space. I kicked off my boots, climbed onto the bed beside her, dropped my head to her shoulder, and tried to let some of the fear go.
“Have you told him?”
“About the seal. Not about the title.”
“Are you going to?”
“Not today. If the prince doesn’t know the whole truth, he won’t have to lie about it.”
“So you’ll lie about it on his behalf?”
“I don’t think you should take the side of a Lys’Careth.”
She cozied down into the nest of blankets. “Royals do have some benefits.”
I made my way to the throne room, blissfully absent of aristocratic daughters lying in wait to berate me. He sat on the throne, alone but for Galen, one leg crossed over the other and staring pensively into the distance.
“Are you searching for answers?”
He blinked out of his reverie, focused on me, and smiled a little. “Yes. And finding none.”
“Tell me the question,” I said, stopping in front of him.
“How do we catch a man who can disappear into Aether?”
“The way I told you before—use me as bait.”
“Absolutely not.”
“It’s the best way.”
“Not now,” he said with a hint of amusement. “He’s probably terrified of you.”
“Or thinks I’m definitely worth the trouble. It’s the best way to control how and when. And I can take care of myself, as you’ve seen.”
“I don’t sacrifice my soldiers.”
“I’m not one of your soldiers. I’d travel through the Aetheric to find him if I could, but I can’t.”
“Yue has garrison soldiers searching the stronghold and outside it. She’ll find something.”
That put a smile on my face. “That’s probably more work than they’ve done in months.”
“I’ve already gotten complaints.”
“Their tears are like the finest wine.”
“Your Highness.” A servant hurried through the side door. “A message for you.” He bowed and offered the prince a sealed fold of paper.
