Chapter 55
Fifty-five
James
I didn’t sleep that night.
I tossed, turned, dozed until I was sucked into nightmares, then woke again with a start.
After waking Edwin twice with my nightmares, I waited until he was sound asleep again before sliding stealthily from the bed.
I didn’t want him sleep deprived with me.
It was bad enough I’d be shuffling about like a zombie.
The sun wasn’t even up yet, only the barest hint of a lighter blue hovering on the horizon. I threw on clothes haphazardly, begged for a cup of tea from a maid, and damn near hugged her when she brought a full pot, plus muffins still warm from the kitchens.
I did not deserve the many kind, patient staff who worked in this palace. If I could, I’d give raises to all of them.
I drank most of my first cup standing up.
I stood at the footboard and watched my Edwin sleep for a while.
He was so peaceful in slumber, one hand under the pillow, as snugly tucked into bed as a worn-out child.
Much as I adored making love with him, sometimes true intimacy felt like this: having him in my bed, being able to sleep next to him, enjoying the way he fit into my arms.
I couldn’t take such moments for granted.
Not after years of dreaming with no hope of realization.
There had been times in my first life I’d have cheerfully lost a hand if it meant escaping my wife, the throne, and all the responsibilities—just so I could have Edwin.
Thankfully, I’d managed it this time, being able to confess my heart and keep him close.
But for how long?
This thought plagued me more than anything else.
Edwin had sworn that no matter what happened, political marriage or not, he would not leave my side.
I appreciated his promise very much because it held all the weight of a marriage vow to me.
I was in no doubt about where I stood in this man’s heart.
That said, I couldn’t put my Edwin on the same level as a mistress. I wouldn’t.
Maybe it was shortsighted of me, Paradise itself being on the line, but I stood by what I’d said. Paradise without Edwin was no Paradise at all. I’d repeat multiple lives if I had to, but I would not betray either my heart or him by letting another person call me spouse. I couldn’t.
I just couldn’t.
It galled me that I hadn’t been able to propose last night. The mood was all wrong, and I just hadn’t thought it wise to push my plan forward. I hated putting it off again, but I had to get rid of Valentina first if I was to have Edwin. Of that, I was sure.
Which meant I had to get rid of her very soon. As soon as possible.
I stifled a sigh, moving quietly to avoid waking him, and left our room altogether, closing the bedroom door carefully behind me. Let him sleep. One of us needed to be functional later today, and it likely wouldn’t be me.
I retreated to the far side of our suite of rooms, the receiving room, in part because I wanted to put distance between me and my sleeping lover. Also because if I just sat here and waited for the workday to start, I’d go mad. Better to get things in motion.
Snagging a runner, I sent two messages in quick succession.
First to Ramsey, my queenly mother’s retainer, asking him to meet me at his convenience.
Who knew if the man was even awake now. Second message to Tremon, to see if he had any kind of update for me.
I’d snuck him into the ball last night as staff so he could eavesdrop on conversations, so he surely had something to report.
He’d stayed in the palace last night, so hopefully he could report in soon.
Of the two men, he was likely the only one awake and moving at this godsforsaken hour. I expected him first.
Ten minutes later I heard a light knock at the door.
“Enter!”
Sure enough, Tremon had beat Ramsey here. He entered, looking a touch tired, hand fused to a cup of khavé. I couldn’t blame him there. He bowed. “Your Highness.”
“Tremon, sit, sit, have a muffin. Tell me everything you’ve learned, if anything.”
He snagged two muffins before sitting, then bit into one with a sigh. “Excellent blueberry muffins. Well, to be blunt, I haven’t learned much despite my efforts. Lord Victor and Princess Valentina are keeping information very close to their chests right now.”
I paused, thinking his words over. “That says a great deal. I didn’t think Victor could keep his mouth shut.”
“Surprised me too but he’s doing it now.
He won’t even explain exactly how he and Princess Valentina met, as she’s never been here before and they’ve never been formally introduced.
The story he fed his parents was that his ship had docked in Ascor for a few days—something about a ripped sail needing repaired, which I also haven’t been able to verify—and they chanced upon each other. ”
“Bullshit.”
“Agreed.”
I sipped more tea and tried to think. Difficult when I’d gotten perhaps an hour of sleep. “This smacks of being orchestrated.”
“Again, agreed. I did verify that Lord Victor hadn’t received any foreign correspondence prior to his leaving. So whatever happened, it must have happened while he was docked in Ascor.”
Had he somehow managed to escape his guards on the ship and slip into Ascor’s palace?
Charmed his way in somehow? Victor could be lethally charming when he put his mind to it, hence his body count being so high.
It didn’t really matter how those two met.
The problem was, they had, they were in league with each other, and they were bound to be up to no good.
“Are they actually engaged?”
Tremon waffled a hand back and forth. “Not officially, not from what I gather. I spoke with Lord Victor’s retainer, and he claims there’s nothing in writing.”
“There’s that.” For what it was.
Tremon leaned in to add, “Here’s where it gets fucky.
I spoke to several of Lord Victor’s staff, and no one seems to know how this happened.
They’re also not sure how they ended up coming back here, as they were under firm orders to send Victor away for a year to sea.
But they all obediently came back here on Lord Victor’s order and even they’re not sure as to why.
I asked about Princess Valentina’s parents, how they felt about the engagement, and was met with shrugs.
I’m not sure if they even know the princess is up here. ”
“This situation is incredibly strange. I don’t like the sound of any of this.” I made a mental note to investigate further when a horrifying thought occurred. I blurted out, “Please tell me he didn’t actually bed her.”
“Well, they claim he hasn’t. But they also shared a ship cabin on the way up here, so…”
I crammed the rest of the muffin into my mouth, because at least the muffin brought me happiness and not more stress.
“Ah, I did nose my way around Lord Victor’s cronies, but I don’t think they were involved in the attack on you and Edwin.
Everyone denied any knowledge of it, and some were worried they’d somehow be blamed since they’ve been on Lord Victor’s side before.
I think it’ll take much more digging to get to the bottom of your attack. ”
I groaned. I’d wanted a clear resolution to the attack, at the very least. Wonderful. Now I had fear of Edwin’s safety hanging like a sword over my head. With the way Tremon rattled off information, though… “What did you do, buy drinks for everyone?”
“They all needed it by the time the shitshow ended last night. I’ll submit the expenses to Edwin once he’s awake. I assume he still sleeps?”
“Yes, and don’t wake him. I did that too many times last night.”
Tremon’s expression turned sympathetic. “I’m sure you’re at your wit’s end. Rumor has it King Patrick was going to announce your new position as crown prince last night before Lord Victor waltzed in.”
“Vuheia smite him. I had a feeling but hoped I was wrong.”
“No, the paperwork for transferring the title to you has been done, from what I’m told. They were waiting on your agreement. No doubt they thought you wouldn’t tell them in public to go fuck themselves.”
“They’re wrong. I would have.” I let out a long sigh and tried not to feel overwhelmed. Rather failed. Fuck, I wasn’t sure who I hated more right now, Victor or Valentina. I’d cheerfully attach ball and chain to both before tossing them into the deepest stretch of sea I could find. Ah, if only.
Tremon spread his free hand, the one not occupied by khavé. “What do you want me to do?”
“Slip poison into their foods.”
He gave me quite a look.
“What? It’s what I actually want done. Those two dead will do the world all sorts of favors.”
“I can’t disagree, but I’m not putting my neck on the line.”
“Spoilsport.” I tried to take his question more seriously. “I suspect Valentina is much like Victor—a problem child—so her parents are eager to off-load her on someone else.”
Knew that for a fact, actually.
“Dig into her more. See if I’m right. It might be the best way to sway my parents into dropping this whole idea of an engagement. The last thing we need is another Victor in-house. I want to know who actually let Victor off his naval vessel, too.”
“Understood. I’ll get on it.”
“Go sleep first.”
“Heh. I’ll sleep when I can.” Standing, Tremon gave me a bow before turning and leaving as quietly as he’d come.
Sipping more tea, I let the warmth soak into my mouth for a moment before swallowing.
Tremon’s information wasn’t completely unexpected, but there were too many holes in the story.
Men not knowing why they’d followed Victor’s orders?
Were they telling the truth and magic of some kind was at play?
Or had they been bought out? It made me think I was missing something, but something serious? Trivial? No way to know.
Another knock at the door and, this time, I’d bet it was Ramsey. “Enter!”