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“We need more proof. I’m sorry, Essie. I don’t like it either. Believe me, I don’t. If it were up to me, I’d march the army to Kostaria and wrest our weapons from their hands myself if I had to. But it doesn’t work that way. Thousands of Escarlish soldiers would die. I need—and the kingdom needs—a very good reason before I give that order.”
She nodded. She understood that. Of course she did. And after Father’s war with the elves that was, afterwards, portrayed as hasty and costly, Averett would be doubly cautious. He didn’t have a choice.
Averett turned to Farrendel. “We reported this to Jalissa earlier this afternoon. I also wired an abbreviated version to your brother, and he would like you to return to Tarenhiel as soon as you can. If possible, I want you to stay through tomorrow night. Officially presenting you to the Escarlish court as Essie’s husband might be more essential than ever if I’m to convince Parliament that we should aid Tarenhiel.”
Farrendel nodded. Essie swallowed back the lump in her throat. Just two nights and a single full day. Then Farrendel would leave.
Would she ever see him again? He was powerful, but he would be one elf against an army with firepower unlike anything the elves had ever fought before.
It would be a slaughter.
“But don’t give up hope just yet.” Julien crossed his arms. “There will be a raid on Charles Hadley’s factory and office while he’s at the ball tomorrow night.”
“While that happens, the rest of us are going to keep an eye on those Charles Hadley interacts with. We have already been looking into his contacts and business associates, but we may observe something in person he hasn’t committed to paper.” Edmund glanced between them. His gaze was sharp, his tone professional. This was Edmund, the spy.
“If Charles Hadley is the traitor, then he’s most likely behind the protestors. He won’t want Farrendel’s official presentation to the court to go smoothly.” Averett huffed a sigh. “We don’t know what he has planned. I’d prefer to arrest him right now, but he would just use a premature arrest to his advantage. So we will all need to be alert and prepared for anything.”
“It still probably isn’t considered proper for Farrendel to walk around with his swords strapped to his back.” Essie grimaced. Even if he’d still have his magic, she’d prefer to have him armed.
“Nor would it be proper for you to try to stuff a rifle down the back of your dress.” Edmund smirked.
“I was thinking a nice leather carrying sheath, matching Farrendel’s for his swords. We could be a matched set.” Essie grinned up at Farrendel. His hard expression didn’t so much as twitch.
Averett coughed. “No swords or rifles. But if you have any knives or pistols you can hide out of sight, then do it. Essie, you still have that derringer we gave you when you were twelve, right?”
“Yes, I still have it. I’ll wear it.” Essie preferred her rifle to the small pistol, but she’d rather be armed if the traitor decided to try to kill Farrendel.
“If you need any knives or pistols, the royal armory is at your disposal, Farrendel.” Julien patted his ankle, where he kept a derringer hidden. “Seriously, if you need anything, just name it. We don’t want to lose our favorite brother-in-law now that we have him.”
“I have a knife.” Farrendel shrugged, a small lift to his shoulders. “And I have my magic. I will be fine.”
His magic was their best protection. Unless the traitors managed to haul a repeater gun into the palace’s ballroom, Farrendel could hold off whatever the traitors had planned.
As her brothers stood to leave, Averett rested a hand on her shoulder. “Sorry to bring bad news.”
“At least we have some idea who one of the traitors might be. That’s the main thing.” Essie stood and hugged Averett. “We’re going to stay in tonight since tomorrow will be busy. It’s my second to last night with Farrendel before he leaves.”
“I understand.” Averett patted her back. “Julien and I are going to review the security at the palace again to make sure we’re ready. We’ll keep him safe.”
“Thanks.” Essie walked her brothers to the door, shutting it behind Edmund. She turned to find Farrendel had followed her. She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned against him. “What do you want to do for the rest of the evening?”
Farrendel held her for a moment. Then he stepped out of her embrace. “I will be back. I need...space for a while.”
“Oh. All right.” Essie tried to keep her smile pasted on her face as Farrendel slipped out the door. She stayed in the doorway, watching as he dashed to a tree with a low-hanging branch and swung himself onto it. Within seconds, he disappeared into the upper branches.
After shutting the door, she leaned against it. She shouldn’t feel this sinking feeling in her chest. He’d spent most of the day surrounded by far too many people, and now even being around her was too much for him. She didn’t understand it, exactly. She needed people around her in a way Farrendel didn’t. And he needed space and quiet in a way she didn’t.
Still, even knowing that about him didn’t make it easy to sit by herself while he went off to do his thing.
She gave herself a good shake. No reason to sit around moping. She hadn’t done that in Estyra, and she certainly wasn’t going to do it in Buckmore Cottage.
Since she wasn’t much of a cook, she tracked down a servant to bring them some of the food from Winstead Palace’s kitchen. She checked on Jalissa. It seemed Farrendel’s sister also needed space after a day in Aldon’s market, so Essie left her to her book.
As Essie started the milk heating for hot chocolate, she heard a soft thump above her head. Moments later, the door to the water closet closed, and water started rushing through the pipes.
Essie smiled, though it felt small and weary after the long day. She’d checked, and the castle staff had finished installing the new water spigot while she and Farrendel were at the market. Farrendel would appreciate being able to wash his hair without hunching over the bathtub.
Just as she was pouring the hot chocolate into her and Farrendel’s new and freshly washed mugs, arms wrapped around her from behind. She breathed in the minty scent of Farrendel’s shampoo and conditioner, extra strong after his wash. She leaned back against him. “How does the new spigot work?”
