Kyra’s eyes snapped to follow Idalee’s gaze, her nerves keying up as she scanned the grounds for Santon. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when she saw that it was Tristam whom Idalee had seen, coming out of the same administrative structure he’d been hurrying to a few days before. By now, he’d turned to walk toward them, taking away Kyra’s initial hope that they might have passed unseen. Funny how a simple piece of information could change everything. The fine tunic that Kyra had admired before now seemed ostentatious. And the hint of guilt she thought she’d detected a few days ago now permeated every single movement he made.
“Idalee,” said Tristam. “I’m glad to see you on your feet.”
Idalee curtsied. “Ilona says I’m out of danger’s way now.”
“Are the two of you going home?” he asked.
“Malikel gave me the day to see Idalee settled,” Kyra said. “And how are you, Tristam? Still negotiating with the family in Parna?” Who is she? How much money does her family have? She wasn’t sure how good a job she did of keeping her voice neutral, but Tristam seemed too distracted to notice.
“Yes, and it’s taking a while. They’re an old family. Old money, lots of influence. They control a large private guard force.” He spoke the last part as if it pained him.
It was falling into place far more easily than Kyra wanted. The family from Parna had offered to help defend Brancel Manor. Of course they’d want something in return, like a permanent alliance with the family. Kyra felt a pang in her gut. If what Orvin said was true, then Tristam was lying to her, or at the very least deliberately hiding the truth.
She didn’t know what to do. Kyra couldn’t confront him with Idalee right there. Even if she and Tristam had been alone, Kyra didn’t know if she was ready. She gave Tristam her best attempt at a smile. “We should be getting home. I wish you progress on your negotiations.”
Unexpectedly, Tristam took her hand. “It’s good to see you, Kyra,” he said, with more fervency than those words usually warranted. “Both of you.”
Kyra stood stock-still, unable to react at first. Then she carefully extricated her hand from his. “Have a good day,” she said, and left, pulling Idalee after her.
T E N
Kyra wondered if James ever got used to the dungeon’s smell. The stink faded after the first few minutes, but it never quite disappeared. Though, as she looked at the fresh bruises on James’s face, she realized that the smell would be the least of his worries.
“Did you make contact with Orvin?” he asked.
“He told me Willem’s taking private messengers in the middle of the night. I’m going to try and find out what they’re for.” She deliberated a bit before asking her next question. “How reliable is Orvin? Had he ever jumped to false conclusions?”
“Everything from Orvin’s always been accurate,” said James. “He’s very keen on the affairs of noblemen.”
That was good for her mission, though not for the selfish part of her that still hoped Orvin was wrong about Tristam.
A guard’s footfalls sounded in the corridor, and Kyra wondered if she should go. There was nothing more that she needed from James tonight. Actually, she hadn’t needed to come see him at all, but she found herself reluctant to leave. Somehow, over the past weeks, the prison cell of her enemy had become the one place where she could speak freely. Kyra wouldn’t say she enjoyed visiting James—he still set her off balance far too easily. But James had a keen mind and an incisive tongue, and she could discuss things with him that she couldn’t discuss with anyone else.
“What do you think makes Willem the way he is?” she finally asked. “Or any of the wallhuggers who trample on the rest of the city. Are they really that different from us?”
“Power is seductive. Once you have a little, it’s easy to go after more.”
“To the point of sending hundreds of people to their deaths for political power?” Or negotiating a loveless marriage. She told herself that this wasn’t about Tristam, but thoughts of him kept intruding into her mind.
“Is it really that hard to believe? Can you honestly say you’ve not used your new position at the Palace for personal gain?”