Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
FYN
She simply agreed to it. There wasn’t even a moment when she contested it.
I braced myself for her outrage at the invitation—I expected that.
But she didn’t even flinch.
Ashlyn was planning a life beyond Nythrel.
Aelira paced the edge of the study. “We kept her here, and now she’s resorting to a marriage pact to escape Nythrel.”
Lioran traced his jaw. “If she wishes to explore the possibility, then you must let her.”
“It was as if she was in a rush to decide it.” Aelira’s hands quaked as she raised them.
“Your sister isn’t the patient type.” Impulsivity was where Ashlyn excelled.
She asked to be trained to wield a sword. I was far too amused to dismiss her request.
No matter how much she practiced, she faltered. Each swing was made in haste. Her anger made every movement more volatile.
Beneath it all lay a quiet strength. I wished she would see it the way I did.
“And you think you know her better than I do?” Aelira folded her arms across her chest.
I knew a trap when I heard it. And I was absolutely not about to partake in it. “Not at all, my queen.”
“Don’t start with me, Fyn. I know exactly what you’re doing and will have none of it.” She glared at me. “You could have talked her out of this.”
My hand wrapped easily around the back of my neck, pinching my skin. “Are we talking about the same woman?”
I shouldn’t have said that. I absolutely should have kept my thoughts to myself, but sometimes I’d forget to stop myself.
“He spends a lot of time with her,” Lioran said.
“I only train her. We don’t discuss her future marriage ambitions.” I preferred it that way. “Perhaps it was all the beautiful textiles Estlen’s been trading that piqued her interest. Your dress is absolutely stunning today, my queen.”
Aelira’s eyes narrowed on me. “My sister wouldn’t arrange a marriage for luxury goods.”
“Well, technically, it hasn’t been arranged yet.” Her mind could still change.
Lioran studied me carefully before he turned back to his wife. “My love, I have every intention of assuring her safety as she travels there.”
There were already too many feelings involved and too little logic. I was never good at feelings.
I’d rather be forced to inventory all of Aelira’s gowns than face this conversation a moment longer. “The three of you can figure out the plan. Let me know when it’s final so I can assist with the arrangements.”
“Maybe I should check on her.” Aelira yanked the obscene amount of fabric that flowed behind her as she rose.
“I’m sure she went to Cora’s.” Ashlyn usually did on the third day of the week.
“Can you wait to send the response a little while longer?” Aelira asked.
“I will await your return,” Lioran said as she pulled the door back.
“I assumed you talked to your wife about this plan before you presented it to Ashlyn.” It almost seemed like she was more shocked than I was.
“I did.” He reached for his decanter of whiskey. “It didn’t go the way she thought it would.”
I pointed to the glasses that were carefully arranged alongside it. “I’m going to need one of those too.”
He slowly poured the amber liquid into the cup until it rose higher than normal. “That is the quietest you’ve ever been in a political discussion. You sure you don’t have anything to add?”
There were few times in my life that I struggled to find words, but in that instant I was speechless.
Her life was being decided, and it was a political discussion.
The liquid rippled across the surface of the glass as he pushed it closer to me.
“You know the moment anyone says anything against her choice, she’s only going to be more set on going.” I could imagine the chaos that would ensue when Aelira shared her thoughts.
“Sometimes it’s hard to believe they’re sisters.” Lioran nodded, slowly lifting his drink to his lips as he watched me. “There was a time I thought this would all play out much differently than it did. That you and—”
“That’s truly such a lovely sentiment.” I was lucky that he rarely chastised me for my lack of decorum. “Maybe we should direct our efforts where they are needed. There is still the matter of trade we didn’t get to discuss before the invitation arrived.”
“Which is?” He tapped his fingers on the edge of his desk.
“The concern regarding the cost involved in our trade with Estlen.”
“The ore is essential for reconstructing Lythira. It is my right as king to build my court wherever I wish. Both will give a return to normalcy from which all of Nythrel will flourish. The cost doesn’t concern me.”
It definitely should have concerned him. “There is a growing distaste for the allocation of spend under your reign.” That was what most of the council members would discuss when he wasn’t near. “Those that feel that a new High Court isn’t essential.”
“Those are bold thoughts for anyone to utter. When they see it completed, their opinions will change. This castle was designed for defense and logistics—not to hold a king’s court.” His tone sharpened.
“If Ashlyn is so insistent on the marriage pact, there may be a benefit. Estlen would be unlikely to reach for more coin if it succeeds,” Lioran said. “I will need you to stay one step ahead of the negotiations.”
I took too large a sip from my glass until the drink scorched the back of my throat. “I’m not sure they’ll see us as part of the marriage pact.” She wasn’t one of our own.
“We don’t need to be. She’s Aelira’s sister, and that alone could help solidify peaceful relations.
” Lioran’s brow raised as he peered over the edge of his glass.
“I trust you can handle representing us. I will only be able to convince Aelira to let her go if you go with her. We had already discussed that possibility if she agreed to it.”
“You and your wife are always coming up with the most interesting ideas.”
“And there won’t be any complications?” he asked. “Nothing that would keep you from fulfilling your duty?”
My jaw clenched so tightly I worried it wouldn’t release. “Apparently there is nothing. I’m your most humble servant, Your Majesty.” I was desperate to keep the hint of sarcasm out of my tone.
“It is settled then.” Lioran refilled my glass. “We trust you implicitly.”
“Right.” I took another swig of my drink to numb whatever feeling was creeping into my chest. I didn’t want to feel any of it.
“Need more?” he asked.
I slid the empty glass over to him.