“You didwhat?”
“I put your name forward as a candidate. They’re reviewing applications now, and I expect you’ll receive a summons within the week.”
Finn stared at him. Behind him, Trent made a strangled sound that might have been laughter.
“Have you lost your mind?” Finn found his voice, though it came out higher than normal. “Jericho, I’m not… I can’t… Do you have any idea how terrible an idea this is?”
“Actually, I think it’s brilliant.”
“I’ll be banished from Safe Harbor within a week!”
“You’ll be perfect.” Jericho leaned against his horse, completely unbothered by Finn’s panic. “The king is looking for honesty and someone who won’t bore him. Having a solid work ethic would be helpful, and most of all, a person who is not afraid to be themselves.”
“They also need someone who knows how to behave in court, someone with actual credentials.” Finn gestured wildly at himself. “I’m covered in wood shavings and roof tar, and for me that’s a normal day.”
“The king builds ships, Finn. He’d probably approve.”
“This isn’t funny.”
“It’s a little funny.” Jericho’s expression softened slightly. “Look, just go meet him. Talk to him. If it doesn’t work out, you come home, and life continues as normal.”
“When I come home,” Finn corrected. “Not if.When. Because there’s no possible universe where King Darragh looks at me and thinks ‘yes, this is the person I want representing Safe Harbor to the entire World Council.’”
“You might surprise yourself.”
“I might insult the king and end up in prison. You’d better make sure you’ve got the right contacts to get me out.” Finn ran both hands through his hair, dislodging bits of wood. “Actually, you know what? Fine. I’ll go. I’ll be completely honest about how unsuitable I am, he’ll dismiss me immediately, and then I can come home, and you can feel appropriately guilty about wasting everyone’s time.”
“If you say so.” Jericho’s smile hadn’t dimmed one bit, which was annoying and slightly concerning.
“I do say so. In fact, I’ll make sure I’m extra honest. I’ll tell him exactly how terrible I’d be at all the royal duties. The summit hosting, the diplomatic dinners, all of it.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Why are you being so calm about this?” Finn demanded. “Why aren’t you trying to convince me to actually try?”
Jericho swung back into his saddle. “Because I know you, little brother. You’ll go in there planning to fail, but you’ll still be yourself. And yourself is exactly what the king is looking for, whether you believe it or not.”
“You’re insane for even submitting the application in the first place.”
“Probably, but you’ll go anyway, so thank you for that. Mother wants you at dinner tonight, by the way. She’s very excited about the news.”
“You toldMother?”
“Of course I told Mother. Who do you think helped me write the application?” Jericho gathered his reins. “Wear something nice. Try to get the wood shavings out of your hair.”
He rode off before Finn could throw something at him.
“Well,” Trent said into the silence. “That was unexpected.”
“That was a nightmare.” Finn slumped against the cottage wall. “I’m going to meet the king. I’m actually going to meet King Darragh, and I’m going to make a complete fool of myself, and then I’ll come home in disgrace.”
“Or you could try to make a good impression.”
“Why? So I can end up married to a man who’ll realize within a week that I’m completely unsuitable for royal life?” Finn shook his head. “No, it’s better this way. I’ll go, I’ll be honest about myshortcomings, and we’ll both be spared a lot of trouble down the road.”
Mrs. Weatherby appeared in the doorway, holding a plate of honey cakes that smelled like heaven. “Did I hear correctly? You’re going to meet the king?”
“Apparently, my brother has a twisted sense of humor.”
