7. Chapter 7
Chapter seven
I wake from half-remembered dreams the next morning with a pounding headache and a conviction that I’ll never drink ale again—or at least, not for a while and definitely not as much as I did last night. My only consolation is that Samis must be feeling the same way too, unless he’s found a way to magically rid himself of a hangover and never told me. I wouldn’t put it past him.
It’s not until I’ve gotten dressed and shuffled over to my dining area to eat breakfast that I realize there’s something else stuck in my mind alongside the nausea and dizziness. Samis was right. I just need to tell Tag how I feel, and hope he feels the same way . It seems so obvious now, in the light of day—although I do wish the sun would do me a favor and be just a little less bright today—and I’m determined to act before I lose my nerve.
Of course, I’m not going to march to the Learas’ chambers right now and declare my feelings for him, like Samis suggested. Even if I wasn’t hung over, I’m not sure I want to go about this too assertively. I think— I hope —Tag will be interested, but I still can’t forget the way he pulled back when I touched his hand a few days ago. Besides, he doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would respond well to that kind of directness. I’m afraid that if I go up to him without any warning and put him on the spot, he’ll just turn me down out of reflex. But if I wait too long, I might miss my chance. No, I need to figure out a way to get him alone—and in a good mood, preferably—without spooking him.
I ruminate on this problem as I finish breakfast and continue to think about it even after I’ve retreated to my study to work on today’s papers. My thoughts go in circles for what feels like hours, barely paying attention to the pile of reports and petitions in front of me while I come up with options, only to discard them a moment later.
I could ask Riella if he’s said anything about me to her . No, that’s too indirect. Not to mention rather awkward. I can do better.
I could ask him if he’d like to attend a ball with me or something . Not a bad idea, but he might just think I’m introducing him to court like I promised. Plus, I know I’ll have enough trouble telling him how I feel when it’s just the two of us; I can’t imagine doing it when we’re around hundreds of strangers.
I could get Ivy to befriend him and learn his innermost secrets . She could probably do it. But deceiving him probably isn’t the best way to start a courtship, and it would take too long anyway. What to do, what to do …
Nothing feels right, and I’m about to give up and go about the rest of my day when I remember something Samis said last night, and, just like that, the perfect answer slams into me like a sledgehammer. That’s what siblings are for . A plan—one that’s simple yet shrewd—builds itself in my mind with stunning speed. I sit here, barely moving, trying to figure out if there’s something I missed, some factor I’m not seeing that could doom this new plan, but I can’t think of any. After all, if my guess is right, I’m not the only one who wants us to start courting.
It doesn’t take long before adrenaline hits, and as soon as it does, I immediately go off to find Ivy, my hangover forgotten in the rush. I need her assistance. Plus, if she can’t help me for whatever reason, I can at least vent my frustrations by throwing some of her knives at the straw target she uses for practice. It’s basically a win-win situation.
She’s in her rooms when I get there, which is good because I’m so energized right now, I feel like I might burst. In fact, we’ve barely sat down before I start talking.
“Can you do me a favor? I promise it isn’t too onerous.”
She leans back in her seat and tilts her head slightly. “You’re not going to ask me to stab anyone, are you?”
I gape at her, my train of thought briefly interrupted. “No, Ivy, I’m not going to ask you that. Not right now, at least.” She just nods, so I continue. “You know Riella Leara, right? I think you and she have met before.”
“That’s right. I wouldn’t say we’re, like, best friends or anything, but I certainly know her. Why do you ask?”
So far, so good . “Would you mind inviting her to join you at some event or activity or something within the next couple of days? I don’t really care what it is, but preferably something in the morning, or maybe around lunchtime.”
She thinks about it for what feels like hours. “I … suppose I can do that,” she finally says. “Actually, now that I think about it, there’s a visiting Verreenese scholar who studies different martial arts techniques. She’s planning on giving a demonstration two days from now at noon at their embassy. I could invite Riella to come with me.”
I let out a relieved breath. “That would be wonderful. Thank you.”
“Of course. But can I ask what the point of all this is, exactly?”
I debate whether or not to tell her, already feeling self-conscious about the whole thing. “I can’t tell you why just yet. I don’t want to jinx it. I promise you it’s nothing nefarious.”
“I’ll take your word for it, I suppose. But you owe me one.”
“Don’t worry,” I tell her. Even though that’s only the first part of my plan, it still feels like a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders. “I think I know how I can repay you.”
The next afternoon, I send a message to Riella, asking her to stop by my study when she gets a chance, and about half an hour later, Joram lets me know that she’s arrived. I tell him to send her in, my heart pounding.
“What do you need, Darien?” she asks as she walks over to my desk. “The messenger just said you asked to see me, but he didn’t tell me why.”
I gesture to the papers on my desk. “I have a report from our ambassador in Raktos. She mentioned something called a ghoriam , and I had no idea what she was talking about. I figured it would be best to just ask you rather than go research it for myself.”
Riella’s eyes light up. She loves studying foreign affairs almost as much as I love history. “I can see why you might be confused,” she says, taking a seat on the couch across from me. “It’s not really a common thing, even in Raktos. In short, a ghoriam is someone who advises a noble, but it’s a bit more complicated than that. They tend to be around the same age as whoever they’re advising, so they’re usually more of a companion than an advisor. More than that, though, they’re supposed to always tell the truth, even if it’s not what the noble wants to hear, and they can’t be punished for it. At least, that’s how it works in theory. But in practice…”
I tune her out, paying just enough attention so I don’t arouse her suspicion. The question I asked her isn’t really that important. I just needed some pretense to talk to her that wouldn’t risk me running into Tag in the process. Meanwhile, I’m focusing on not giving away too much when I get to the real reason that I asked her to come here—and also on trying to keep my anxiety down. This should work , I remind myself. But if it doesn’t, it probably won’t be too much of a setback .
At least, I hope it won’t be. Either way, I’ll find out soon enough.
After what feels like an interminable amount of time, Riella wraps up with, “So, that’s probably why the ambassador brought up the subject. Does that answer your question?”
“It does,” I confirm. “I get it, now. Thanks, Riella. I appreciate it.”
She nods and stands to go, but before she can get to the door of my study, I call out to her, trying to sound as though a thought has just come to me.
“Sorry, but I almost forgot—would you have any interest in going riding with me tomorrow around lunchtime? I was planning on going with someone else, but now he can’t make it. I haven’t really gotten to catch up with you since you got back to court, and I know you love riding.”
She stops and turns back toward me, frowning lightly. “I would love to, but I told Ivy I’d go to an event with her tomorrow afternoon—some lecture on how to stab things better, I’m assuming. Perhaps another time, though?”
I let my face fall a bit. “Oh. That’s too bad.” I pause for a moment, pretending to think. “In that case, could you maybe ask Tag if he’d like to go instead? I really was looking forward to getting out of the palace for a little while, and I don’t want to go by myself.”
She gives me a real, genuine smile. “That’s a great idea! I don’t think he has anything going on tomorrow, but I’ll ask. I’m sure he’d love to go with you.”
A wave of relief washes over me at her words, and I let a bit of it show. “Excellent. If he does want to come, tell him to meet me at the stables tomorrow at eleven.”
“Of course. Hopefully he’s available—I’m sure the two of you would have a wonderful time together.”
A wonderful time, huh? She really has no idea just how much I hope she’s right. I thank her, holding back a sudden onrush of exhilaration. With that, we say our goodbyes, and as soon as she’s gone, I lean back in my seat and exhale deeply, feeling a small smile creep onto my face. Part two, check .