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“I helped him,” Tarley replied, her eyes wide with the surprise of confirmation. She turned to the queen.
“She saved me,” Lachlan corrected. “I wouldn’t be here had she not taken the risk.”
Keyanna looked from Tarley back to Lachlan. “It would seem we both owe our lives to a Fareview.”
“I’ll leave you to talk,” Tarley bowed.
“Stay,” Lachlan asked. “I mean, one of us could collapse, and we’d need a Fareview to bring us back.” He grinned at her. “Besides, you’re owed the truth–’”
She dipped her head. “Very well…”
“Lachlan,” he said.
“Lachlan Excelsior Orion Nikolas,” the queen finished. “So many names. Tell us what happened.”
So he did.
“Ambushed as well?” the queen asked. “Probably best you keep Ollie as your name for now.”
At Ollie’s name, Tarley’s eyes shifted to meet his.
Lachlan looked back at the flames in the hearth. “Yes.”
Keyanna groaned. “Miss Fareview? Help me adjust my pillows?”
Tarley jumped into motion, helping the queen, stuffing pillows behind her back. Her eyes remained fixed on her job, and Lachlan wished she would look at him again. She didn’t.
“My whole party was murdered. The captain of my guard made it out with me, but–” The queen cleared her throat of emotion, but it didn’t leave her eyes. Lachlan recognized her sadness, understood the way the people closest to you, who put their lives at risk, were like family.
“Are you in pain… Rose?” Tarley asked.
“Yes, but I need all my faculties,” she said. “There are decisions that need to be made and time is critical, it would seem.” She took a deep breath and turned her head slightly so she could see Lachlan at the end of the bed. “I’m afraid your attack, Lachlan, along with mine, was committed by the hand of a group called Fiedel.”
“How do you know?”
“When my father died, I inherited his cabinet. And as I’m sure you’ve gathered, Kaloma isn’t as forward thinking as other countries on the continent.” She winced.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t like something for the pain?” Tarley leaned over the queen. “You need to rest and heal.”
Keyanna looked at Tarley. “What I need is to get a message to my sister immediately. I fear her life is in danger. Is there anyone you trust to deliver it?”
“I trust my brother,” Tarley said.
She nodded. “I’ll need a pen and paper.”
Lachlan watched Tarley leave the room.
When the door closed, he turned to Keyanna. “How did you know it was me?” he asked.
She offered a smile, macabre with the wounds on her face. “Did you not think I would have spies in Jast? You have them here.”
He’d seen her likeness, so he nodded. “My father wanted this to work. For many reasons.”
“We have a lot going against us now.”
He nodded. “Tarley suggested your cabinet isn’t supportive of your leadership.”
“Smart girl.”
