Bertrand’s face flashed in his mind. But this felt too grand, too meticulous even for a steward’s greed. This was the work of a player who moved kings and princesses like pieces.
Tedric continued, “Sir Darion stayed at Parandor as you instructed. Conrad and I came to meet you. The king is summoning his most trusted knights and lords to the palace. He fears Omega traders may be involved.” His gaze slid toward JingYi, concern etched in his expression. “If that’s true, the capital will be no place for the princess.”
Alexander’s jaw set. Bertrand remained a danger in Blackwood-Veyrde. Darion needed to stay with Yrenna. Conrad was young, inexperienced, and shouldn’t be sent away without Darion or himself to watch over him.
“Conrad will come with me to the palace,” Alexander said. “Tedric, escort Princess JingYi to the Golden Hare Inn on the city’s outskirts. Wait there until I send word.”
Conrad’s head snapped toward him. “Letmeescort the princess, my lord.” The urgency in the boy’s tone was enough to draw JingYi’s eyes.
He bit down on the inside of his cheek. So, Conrad’s jealousy of Tedric hadn’t cooled, and whatever lay between the two still bristled. A fleeting memory surfaced: Conrad’s voice, weeks ago, tight with suspicion.Not enough dirt under his nails. Slips the line.The boy had been watching Tedric like a hawk ever since.
Jealousy, Alexander had concluded. Nothing more.
He pushed the thought aside. Now was not the time for petty rivalries. Tedricwasolder. Hedidhave more field experience. In a crisis, those were the facts that mattered.
He held his ward’s gaze. “I need you with me when I face the king. You’re a lord of the realm. It’s time you start acting like one.”
A smile touched Tedric’s mouth, and he bowed. “The princess will be under my constant watch, my lord.”
A muscle ticked in Conrad’s jaw. His eyes flicked to Tedric before he forced them away. He ducked his head and muttered, “As you command.”
Alexander turned to JingYi. “The city will be in chaos until Princess Adelise is found. You’ll be safer away from it.”
He watched her face, braced for the flicker of doubt, the shadow of old wounds. He was asking her to go where he directed, to be separated from the action on his word. Instead, she met his gaze. After a moment, she gave a single, accepting nod. She was trusting his judgment—both in the destination and in choosing her guardian.
The weight of that trust settled in his chest, heavier and more precious than any oath. After all his failures, she was still willing to give him this.
She inclined her head. “Then, I wish you safety, my lord.”
CHAPTER 47
JINGYI
The carriage swayed, the clip of hooves muffled beneath the rattle of wheels. She sat with her hands folded in her lap, gaze fixed on the passing fields. The sun slanted low, gilding the grass in warm light, but memories of the sea, of their board game during voyage, kept returning.
She hadn’t meant to ask him. Not like that. And yet the moment she captured his tile, the words had slipped out: ‘Did you change your mind about sending the annulment request because you felt . . . sorry for me?’
He could’ve lied. Said what she wanted to hear. But he hadn’t.
Because he was, at heart, an honourable man.
She didn’t think she could despise him at all. Alexander Wulfbane had looked her in the eye and admitted to pitying her—and in that same breath, had spoken of admiration and fear. And something else that never made it to air, poised at the edge of his tongue.
She didn’t know what it was. But it made her chest ache all the more.
Her gaze drifted toward the window. The road had narrowed, hedged in by shrubs and unfamiliar fields. The Golden Hare Innwas supposed to be on the outskirts of Niewberg, but why did it seem as though they were veering farther from civilization?
“Is this truly the road to the inn?” One of the soldiers called. “It looks like we’re heading north.”
Tedric’s voice answered easily, “The road ahead was blocked. This way’s quicker.”
“Is that so?” The soldier’s tone held more bite than belief. “Doesn’t look quicker to me.”
Shadows pooled across the road. JingYi’s palms dampened as she gripped the door.
Then, the carriage lurched to a halt.
The driver’s shout was cut short by a metallic rasp. A sharp command followed, too fast for her to catch. Voices erupted outside.
