“And so did you,” Kai said, before he could stop himself. It was hoarse, but not quiet.
Silas met his gaze, unblinking but sorrowful. “I have known both Selma and Edward for many, many years,” was all the explanation he offered.
“I didn’t mean –”
Silas waved him off. “I am not slighted, but I will call on your remorse to ask a favour of you, Your Majesty. Your carriage leaves just after dawn?”
Kai nodded. Adeline stiffened in her chair, apparently already knowing what would come next.
“Take my daughter with you.”
“No.”
“I would love to, Your Grace, believe me. We’ve discussed it. But Adeline makes her own decisions.”
Silas slammed his fist into the armrest and Kai surprised himself by jumping. He couldn’t help but be startled at such an impatient gesture from this gentle, quiet man.
“We don’t have time for this,” Silas said, a quiet fire giving volume to his words.
At that moment, Imogen swung around the door frame, hauling a trunk behind her.
“Alright - your trunk was half-packed already, but I’ve rearranged it so you have enough for the journey, and the Empress will surely see to it that you’re fitted for a new wardrobe once you arrive in Dhalias.”
“I’m not going to Dhalias.”
“Of course you are,” Imogen tutted, then scowled when Adeline shook her head. “Ofcourseyou are, don’t be stupid.”
Adeline was on her feet, but Silas immediately blocked her way in a quick, catlike movement that had Kai wondering just how many ways he had misjudged the Duke.
“Ade, please be reasonable. Edward has an ancient power in his possession, an army at his feet, a brand new grudge to settle, and he has just tried to have you murdered in your bed.”
Adeline glared at him for a long moment, before her face began to crumple.
And she began to cry.
That was how Kai knew she saw the sense in what Silas was saying; she wasn’t fighting him anymore. Just giving in to her fear and heartbreak.
She was coming with him, just as he’d wanted. But Adhlas above, he hadn’t wanted it like this.
At the sound of footsteps in the hall, Silas whipped Adeline behind him even as Kai and Imogen moved to shield her too – but it was Ger who hurried through the doorway. He beelined for Adeline, bowling impatiently past the others in his way and bundling her into a bone-crushing embrace.
“Ade, Ade, Ade,” he murmured again and again, while the Princess sobbed into his chest.
Kai stepped away, trying to ignore his own chest aching. She was comforted; it shouldn’t matter whether that comfort came from him or not.
He was glad for the distraction of Simon peering sheepishly around the doorway.
“Thank you,” he said quietly, with no preamble. “If you hadn’t been – well. Whatwereyou doing?”
Simon ducked his head, mumbling. “You said your carriage would leave at dawn. I’d come to bring you some oats to break your fast for the journey and – and to ask – ”
The lad flustered and hummed, until Kai nudged him with a gentle; “To ask?”
“If you might need a footman in your service, Your Majesty. In Dhalias.”
Kai blanched. “You want to come to Dhalias to wait on me?”
The boy nodded.
