Page 24 of The Crown’s Temptation

"That is what I cannot yet account for cleanly. The orders came through several channels. Not one source."

Colsar looked at him. "Find the source."

He stopped. "My mother and Tamal of Yorali. Where are they?"

"The Queen Dowager is at Filar House. Prince Tamal left Veynar the night of the dinner. His whereabouts are unknown."

"Find Tamal," he said. "Until a killer is named he does not move freely." He paused. "My mother stays at Filar House. She does not return to the eastern court. I want people watching her, quietly, people she will not recognize. And I want Filar House searched for any signs of poison."

Arabar looked at him. "Your mother, Majesty?"

"She was the last person I spoke to before Asharin was poisoned. She told me something that sent me running back to the palace." He paused. "I do not know yet whether that was intentional. Until I do, she does not leave."

Arabar nodded.

"Our first order of business is eyes on Asharin," Colsar said. "Teorin cannot be trusted. I did not send Asharin to Morrath because I trusted him. I sent her because I had no choice." He stopped and grabbed Arabar's arm. "Eravic Vaelor is known for his honesty. I have never liked the way he looks at her. But that is my problem and right now I need someone who will not lie to me about what he sees." He paused. "Travel directly to his ship. Find him yourself. Give him the news in person. Tell him I need eyes in Morrath. I assume he can enter. They always say there is nowhere a Vaelor cannot go."

Arabar nodded.

"Junis should be on board with him. I assume he will bring Vaelor’s ship to dock here in Veynar. Once he arrives, he can help. He is one of the few people left that I trust.”

"And Alarna?"

"Send word to Syle and Uralish. Quietly. Tell them the regent of Veynar is requesting their presence and their assistance bringing the killer to justice. They will understand what I am asking."

"And the Fyrekin council?"

"I need more of them here. More council members. Send word." He paused. "Do it through channels I can verify."

Arabar nodded once and went.

Colsar stood alone in the corridor.

He closed his eyes.

The Wanderer came without sound, which was not how things that large usually arrived. It filled the corridor with heat and the smell of something ancient, its red wings folding as it landed, its eyes finding him with the intelligence of creatures that had been doing this longer than anyone alive could account for.

He opened his right palm. The mark Kentan had pressed there was faint but present, the burn long since healed into something permanent. He held it up.

The wanderer dipped its head.

Then it was gone, through the palace wall and into whatever was between here and Urasal, carrying nothing and everything, its wings leaving a warmth in the corridor that faded slowly.

Colsar looked at his empty hand.

Then he started walking.

He walked back through the palace with his face arranged into nothing. Guards straightened as he passed. Servants moved out of his way. He did not look at any of them.

He walked past the throne room. Past the Great Hall with its boarded window, the glass still not fully cleared from the floor. Past the corridor where Wyn had been found. He did not look at any of it.

Their chambers were at the end of the east wing.

He went in and closed the door behind him and stood in the dark for a moment. The room smelled like her. He had not expected that. He did not know why he had not expected that.

He crossed to the bed and sat on her side and pressed his face into her pillow and stayed there.

It smelled like her hair. Like the warmth of her skin in the mornings when she had not yet fully woken up and would reach for him without opening her eyes.