I shot Darren a glare and then looked at the older boy. “He didn’t mean anything.”
“I know why you took up station at the keep.” Darren narrowed his gaze on the rebel. “Don’t do me the disservice of a lie, Ian. I’m not that gullible, and you aren’t that thick-headed.”
“Darren!”
“I’m not—”
“I always thought you were the better man, but it appears it was just an act.” The prince didn’t look upset, just amused. “Not that I blame you. I would have done the same.” His laugh was dry. “And I did. Regardless, I trust your love for my wife outweighs your hatred of me, in this assignment at least.”
The incredulous—and confused—expression on the mage’s face would have been laughable in any other situation. When Ian finally looked back at the prince and me, he was fighting to keep a contrite expression as he said solemnly, “I would be happy to help.”
“Good. Then our time here is done. Let’s not share in more of this awkward moment than we have to.” The prince stretched his arm out to the door, his motion unmistakable.
Ian rolled his shoulders and shot me a look that said we have some things to discuss.
I shook my head ever so slightly. If my plan was to work, he would have to rely on Nyx. I couldn’t afford to explain myself; Ian would just have to trust I knew what I was doing. Darren would question any time I spent alone with my former… friend.
The rest of the day was spent in quick succession. Darren had the names of those he had most reason to suspect, and if someone didn’t draw his attention, he preferred not to drag out their interrogation. Occasionally, I would fixate on a minuscule detail and lure Darren’s attention away from the oddities of others. It didn’t always work, but Darren wasn’t suspicious. He believed I was like him, overly cautious rather than ignorant.
We went through half of Sir Gavin’s squad the first day alone. By the time we finally arrived at the dining hall for our last meal, we were dragging our feet and rubbing the creases of our eyes just to stay alert. Interrogation brought a different sort of fatigue than our training and patrols.
I hardly paid attention to the stares the rest of the room was shooting us. The five units that were on reprieve for the next week had made it a point to sit as far away from the Black Mage as possible. Even Ian was avoiding our table when we finally took our seats, but that was expected.
I kept my head down, not wanting to meet any curious eyes.
Darren covered my hand with his. “Is it hard to be back, Ryiah? When your brother…” He paused. “When Derrick sent me a letter petitioning a position in the palace, he said you had a falling out with your squad before you left. He felt responsible.”
I was too afraid my expression would somehow give away the truth. It was harder to lie when I felt the unspoken questions filling every corner of the room, pressing in against my skin. Stifling and hot, the lies were as dense as syrup and just as thick. So many half-truths were dancing across my tongue, and I didn’t want to lie. Not again.
“It wasn’t their fault.” I gave the prince a weak smile. “I was distant. The others didn’t like it.”
“They were a bunch of outspoken vagrants.” Paige’s drawl came from my left. She was sawing into her roast with a vengeance. “You were better than the lot of them, my lady, and they promoted Ray instead.”
Darren cocked his head to the side. “You never said a word.”
“There was nothing to say.” I silently cursed Paige for bringing it up. And the worst part was I found it endearing that she cared enough to still be angry on my behalf—even if it was drawing the prince’s attention to things best left alone. “They knew I would leave the keep at the end of my year. Ray intended to remain. It made sense that they would give the position to someone who would stay.”
Paige snorted skeptically. “You didn’t believe that last year.”
Because I knew Ian should have been promoted before Ray if that were the case. I just shook my head and forced a laugh. “I’ve had a year to reflect.”
“I still think they are idiots.” My guard speared a potato with rosemary and lifted it to the air, swinging it violently as she declared, “You proved yourself during the Candidacy. Mark my words, they are regretting it now.”
Darren gave her a curious look. “I had no idea you were so sympathetic, Paige.”
“I’m not. I just don’t like fools.”
The corner of his lip turned up. “Fair enough.”
Thankfully, the conversation took another turn as some of the guards began to exchange stories of my knight when she was a squire. I was grateful for the change in topic. Paige was far too observant for her own good. It wouldn’t do for her to renew Darren’s suspicions when we were halfway through Gavin’s men. I couldn’t let him suspect they were hiding something.