She lets out a noise somewhere between a gasp and a choke.
“There were more rebel attacks close to the palace last night, allegedly.”
“That’s true,” she says, frowning. “I gathered as much from conversations I overheard. And everyone in the palace seems on edge still, even though I think Mouren’s soldiers dealt with things well enough.”
We’re silent for a minute, the same edginess settling over us.
But, in true Briar form, she ultimately steers the conversation toward far less serious territory, a sly little grin spreading across her face as she says, “We keep no secrets between us, so you know what I have to ask you next.”
“…I do, unfortunately.”
She clears her throat dramatically. “Arowyn Vhale, did you actually sleep in the same bed with the King of Mouren?”
My cheeks heat. “Yes, but?—”
“Yet another bold strategy in your quest for answers.”
“I suppose I am nothing if not bold,” I say, dryly.
“Let’s just hope this boldness doesn’t end in disaster.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time if it did.”
She looks entirely too amused at the sour expression spreading across my face. “Well, since it’s already happened, and there’s no going back, I’m going to need more details.”
“Doyou reallyneedthem?”
“How was he?” she presses. “Wild? Gentle? Are the legends about his generous…endowmenttrue?”
“I wouldn’t know. I was unconscious for most of the time I spent in his room, and when I wasn’t, we just…talked.”
Her lips form a little pout—the kind she always gets when she thinks I’m holding out on her about something.
“I’m serious. He didn’t touch me.”
Unless you count tending to all of my wounds.
I suppress a shiver as Briar continues to regard me with disappointment and skepticism.
“I just recuperated in the safety of his room, and then this morning…well, I guess somethingdidhappen this morning.”
“Oh? Do tell.”
“He…he asked me to attend the Sun Harvest Feast at his side. He said it would inspire confidence and boost morale in the wake of the attacks this city has been enduring. Attacks that he thinks are being coordinated by other kingdoms because of me and the growing power of my bond with Blight.”
Her frown resurfaces. “It sounds more like he wants to flaunt his hold on you in front of any enemy insurgents who might be watching.”
“Yes…that’s what I thought, too.”
She gives me a long, searching look. “Isthat what you thought?”
“I—yes.” My voice trembles a bit, though I’m not sure why. “What else would I think? I know I’m just a political piece on his board. Nothing more.”
She’s quiet for another long moment, and her tone is slightly more serious when she finally asks, “Whatreallyhappened between you two in his room? It’s not like you to keep all the luscious details from me.”
“There are no luscious details to tell. Because nothing happened, aside from what I’ve told you.”
She still looks skeptical, but she moves on, guiding me toward a small bench in one of the gardens, which is relatively secluded and surrounded by flowering pear trees. After a quick, furtive glance around the space, she pulls a piece of paper from her coat pocket.
