Page 6 of A Crown of Hopes and Sorrows

“Hyacinth and Emrin,” she interrupted, “both got to do a tour of the continent when they were my age. Why can’t I do the same?”

Father stood and walked over to her. “Women don’t go on tours.”

She thrust her lip out. “Is that your stance then, Father?”

He released a breath and brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “You have your mother’s spirit. Gods help you.” She raised her chin, her eyes shining as if she’d already won. Father sighed. “Sappho is… a complicated character.”

He shifted towards me, and I nodded. “I didn’t trust her in the least when we met her at the decade dedication.” That had been five years before, though. I wondered if Apollo might have more recent insight. But he probably didn’t know her well; he avoided gods and those around them.

Father tilted his head, his eyes growing distant. “Yes, but she has been a powerful ally of our kingdom for over a decade. I don’t believe she’d harm your sister.”

Epiphany bit her lip like she clamped back a smile. But I stood. “Can we trust her with Pip’s life, though?”

Epiphany frowned at me. “You heard what Father said. She’s an ally.”

“A flaky one who it would not surprise me if she turned on us.”

Father walked up to me, patting my shoulder. “That may very well be so, son, but your sister is right. She hasn’t had the opportunities you and Emrin both have.” I parted my lips to speak, but he shook his head. “And let’s not act as though our city might not have its own dangers soon.”

I clenched my teeth. “That’s true.”

“You may go.” Father shifted back towards Epiphany. “On two conditions. First, guards join your party, and you stay with them.” He emphasized the words. Pip fisted her hands together, her eyes sparkling, but he gave her a severe look. “I mean it, Epiphany Cressida Lysandra.” Her expression stilled at him using her full name. “It could be dangerous. I want you to heed your guards if you travel.”

“Yes, Father,” she whispered, as though she worried he’d reverse his opinion. “And the second condition?”

“You remember you’re a princess, representing Niria and our family.”

She winced, but nodded. “I promise. I will.”

He sighed. “We’ll need to gather a traveling party, horses and someone to mind them.”

“Valerian,” I said. “Epiphany and Temi spent the summer under his tutelage with horseback riding.” And gods knew what else, but I kept that thought to myself. “We have no other horseman who is as trustworthy, and they are already both at ease with him.”

Epiphany’s eyes had widened with this speech, but she remained quiet. Father grazed his fingers over his jaw. “Won’t you want him for your own journey?”

“I’d feel more comfortable”—I inclined my head to Epiphany— “knowing that Pip was in reliable hands.”

Father nodded. “All right.”

Epiphany scrunched her fists into the lilac of her dress and then jumped towards us, giving hugs before exiting the room, pulling the door shut with her.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I asked.

Father squeezed my shoulder again. “Cyn, our world is about to change. It’s going to be less safe for a while. And…” He released a breath and walked back behind the desk. “As Epiphany won’t marry and move farther north where she might be safer, and I can’t bear to force her to do so, she’s probably in no more danger traveling to Lesbos than she would be at home. Perhaps having a member of our family touch in with Sappho may be wise. It could be good for Epiphany to have a more active role. And Valerian as well, actually.” He frowned, deep lines forming around his lips. “I’d always hoped Lord Lucius would claim him.” Father clicked his tongue. “But we can’t manage others, can we?”

“It would make life a hell of a lot simpler if we could, though.”

Father chuckled. “That may be so. But in the end, the only thing we actually have control over is ourselves.”

“And if others betray us?” I gestured to the door Epiphany had just left through. “If Sappho hurts her?”

He blew out a breath. “If I truly believed that to be a possibility, I wouldn’t allow her to go. But there are risks in everything. All these pacts we’re making, there’s a chance some may deceive us or not follow through once they’ve agreed.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

He smiled and clasped his fingers together across his stomach. “No, I’m not. Some countries we look to make alliances with have let us down in the past, even. But, as I said, we must do our best and move forward as we’re able. Any relationship will have troubles. That’s inevitable.”

I crossed my arms. “I suppose.”