CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO ISI #2
“Protection comes in many forms.” His voice dropped, taking on an intimate note that made my skin crawl. “A strong alliance could protect you from many things. Threats from without and threats from within.”
He could protect me from my father, or he could expose me to him, assuming he felt I had anything to expose.
“I appreciate your concern,” I said.
His eyes narrowed as he studied me. “Do you understand the precariousness of the position your father has put you in?”
Trew shifted near the door. His tension was a living thing, and I sensed he was calculating distances and assessing threats, that he would move on the lord if he pushed too far.
“I couldn’t presume to know his strategy,” I said.
A servant interrupted us, bringing the next course, roasted fowl with herbs and root vegetables. The aroma made it appealing, but my belly had knotted too tight to appreciate the delicate flavors.
Lord Alfred sliced into his meat. “I must express my deepest sympathies for your sister’s death. Such a tragic loss.”
I let my fork tremble in my hand before setting it down. “Thank you. Addie’s death has been difficult for us.”
“I cannot imagine.” His voice softened with what might be genuine sympathy. “And in such a horrible manner. The rebels murdered her and delivered her torn body to your court.” He shook his head. “It’s simply barbaric.”
I pressed my lips together and looked away, letting tears gather in my eyes. There was no need to pretend. The thought of Addie in pain, of what my father had done to her, brought genuine grief.
“Forgive me,” Alfred said. “I shouldn’t have been so graphic.”
“No, it’s…” I dabbed at my eyes with my napkin. “It’s hard to think of her suffering.”
“I’ve heard whispers of strange maladies affecting certain bloodlines. Hereditary conditions that manifest unexpectedly.” He’d done it so smoothly, pivoting from sympathy to his earlier probing about the same possible “taint” Lord Crestin had spoken of.
“I’m not aware of any such conditions,” I said, my voice steady.
“No?” Alfred’s eyebrows rose. “How fortunate.”
“Yes. Fortunate.”
Pherin sent me an image of Alfred’s throat between her firecat jaws. It was all I could do not to smile, though it would’ve come out feral.
Finally, the meal ended, and he stood.
I rose as well.
“Thank you for your time.” He took my hand and kissed the knuckles again. “I hope we can speak again soon. There’s so much more I’d like to discuss with you.”
Trew was right. This man was as conniving as Crestin. His earlier talk about horseflesh and bloodlines was a facade. It made me wonder more about Lord Finley who seemed more interested in studying his appearance than courting me.
Was he also hiding a part of himself behind the shell?
“I’ll consult my schedule and send word of when I’m free,” I said.
He released my hand and strode toward the door.
As he passed Trew, Lord Alfred paused. “Your bodyguard is quite devoted. One might almost think him more than a hired man.”
Trew’s expression didn’t change, but I saw his hand tighten on his sword hilt.
“I pay well for loyalty,” I said.
“As one should.” He bowed my way. “Until next time, Your Highness.”
The moment the door closed behind him, I dropped into my chair. Pherin launched from my shoulder and flew around the room before returning.
Bad man, she sent. Bite next time.
I couldn’t argue with that.
Trew quickly warded the room and came over to stand behind me, his hands gripping my shoulders. “Are you all right?”
“He knows something about the veil, about doorways between realms. He’s been studying it. He’s dangerous, Trew. More so than Crestin because he’s patient and calculating. He’s not going to attack with a blade in the moonlight. He’s going to slowly tighten a noose until I have no room to breathe.”
“Then you’ll move faster than he expects.”
Footsteps echoed in the corridor, and he stepped back, putting proper distance between us as a servant entered to move the plates from the table to a cart. She lingered a moment, glancing between Trew and me, before finally departing.
“We need to tell the others,” he said after the door had closed. “They need to know what he’s looking for.”
I nodded.
“I’ll send a coded message back to Syllavar with Gavelle,” he said.
“I’ll not only inform Grayson and my aunt about the army’s timeframe, but I’ll also have them ask them to scour the archives for pre-wasteland maps of the southern territories and put the maps in my office.
If your mother owned property there, a record might exist. We’ll know where to look before we even leave for that area. ”
Before I could respond, a knock rang out on the door.
A guard entered, bowing. “Your Highness, Lord Alfred left a message for you. He asked me to deliver it personally.”
My stomach sank as the guard handed me a folded piece of paper sealed with Alfred’s crest. How had he found time to prepare this so fast?
Unless he’d already had it ready.
After the guard left, I broke the seal and unfolded it, reading the elegant script.
Your Highness,
Thank you for an enlightening lunch. I hope you find what you’re looking for before certain barriers can no longer be repaired.
Your devoted suitor,
Lord Alfred
My hands shook as I stared at the words.
Barriers can no longer be repaired.
He knew about the veil. He had to.
And he’d just told me, in the politest possible terms, that time was running out.