Page 97 of The Crown’s Temptation

“Majesty, General Rorin remains missing. No one has seen him since the incident.”

Fuck. He furrowed his brow. Regardless of the Alarna suspicion, the overt attackers had been Yorali. If he had conspired with them, then surely he would be there.

He looked at Arabar. “Find someone trustworthy to go to Yorali. Send an official summons requesting they hand over General Rorin.”

He found it hard to believe that Rorin was responsible. But if he was, he would certainly enjoy killing him personally.

Arabar bowed.

A soft knock interrupted them.

Iavis entered, his expression grave. He rested a hand on Colsar’s shoulder. “You need rest, Majesty.”

Colsar gave a bitter laugh. “I will not rest until I find out who hurt my wife.”

His voice cracked despite himself.

He looked up. “You should go home to your wife. She just had the babe, did she not?”

Iavis smiled despite the circumstances. “Yes. Another boy.” Pride softened his features. “Two boys now.”

Colsar managed a nod. Two.

He and Asharin were supposed to have more.

He had told her they could wait. Truthfully, he had never wanted to.

Not because he simply wanted a larger family, but because he wanted another chance. A birth where she wasn’t screaming through an undead siege. A beginning where he could give her every ounce of attention she had been denied the first time.

He wanted to watch her smile as he surprised her with every strange fruit the world had to offer with each passing month of pregnancy. Whatever she wanted, she would have. In truth, this was the case whether she was pregnant or not.

Now he might never have that chance.

“Find Tamal of Yorali,” Colsar said abruptly.

Arabar blinked. “That is the crown prince of Yorali, Majesty. We cannot simply command him⁠—”

“We can.”

Colsar met his eyes. “The King of Yorali has heirs enough to replace him twice over, and everyone already believes grief has driven me mad.”

A humorless smile touched his mouth. “Questioning a foreign prince is exactly the sort of thing they expect from me.”

Arabar inclined his head. “I will send someone at first light. Although, Majesty, the prince of Yorali is likely not in Yorali. The word is that he travels frequently, and follows the Vaelor girl most places.”

“What Vaelor girl?” Colsar paused, realizing he did not care. “Fine. Send scouts. If he is not in Yorali, check elsewhere.”

Iavis glanced between them. “I am going to the tavern tonight with the Avanki. I am hoping one of them drinks enough to become loose-lipped about General Trophi. He remains high on my list.”

Colsar nodded.

“Dismissed.”

Iavis lingered for only a minute before leaving. The moment the door shut behind them, Colsar looked at the marking in the palm of his hand, then closed his eyes and imagined it.

Urasal swallowed him whole. He refused to stay away from the children any longer than necessary.

They were all he had left of her.