“You didn’t always do what your father asked. You didn’t behave like he wanted you to. Instead you wore that mask as a prince so you could be yourself as Black Knife, because that was more important to you than how other people perceived you.”
His voice shifted low and controlled. Deadly. “You should know better than anyone that promises grow heavier when the person you made them to dies. You become obligated. Surely you know that. How many years did you spend training and arming yourself to take back Aecor because you thought that’s what your parents would want? How many children died for that cause? How many friends? And now, another man has taken Sandcliff Castle in your name. He’s killed hundreds of our soldiers.
“People—things—keep acting in your name, attempting to accomplish your goals no matter the collateral damage. And you keep letting them.”
“I didn’t let them!” I shoved myself up, hunched over the table. At my outburst, James stepped forward, but that was all. A warning. I dropped my voice to a growl. “You have no idea what it’s like when people are willing to go to frightening lengths for you. When you can’t predict their actions. You have no idea what a terrifying burden that is.”
“Believe me, I do. I’ve seen enough well-meaning and untrained people pretend to be Black Knife because they wanted to help. But I stopped them, because I couldn’t allow them to get hurt—or anyone else they came in contact with.” He balled his fists and leaned forward, so close I could feel the heat of him. “You have to stop those people from making mistakes, especially the ones that hurt innocents like Meredith. How will you be a strong queen if you can’t trust your people to make wise decisions?”
Chills crawled over my body. I sat back down and whispered, “I don’t know.”
“You need to figure it out, Wilhelmina. What kind of queen will you be? The kind who allows others to murder in her name, or the kind who makes decisions her conscience can agree with? You might have spent the last nine years as a criminal, doing what you thought was necessary for survival, but you aren’t that girl anymore.”
“Aren’t I?” I fought to keep my voice level. “I’m still a criminal. I’m a flasher. I’ve forged dozens of official documents. Being a princess doesn’t cancel the fact that I impersonated a duchess for weeks. I am still that girl.”
The room was silent.
“But maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m not that girl anymore: maybe I’m worse. You don’t know what I am, anymore. You cannot fathom what I’ve endured. Don’t imagine you’ve tamed me.”
Tobiah stood, disgust written on his face. “Here’s what I know. You want your kingdom back. My uncle is less inclined than ever to enter negotiations, and most everyone thinks you should be in prison. I must do something, though I disagree prison is the answer. Your wraith pet could see it as a threat against you. Or you could just call him to you—or turn him against the city.”
He might as well have punched me. “If you think I’d even consider that, you really don’t know me at all.”
“Maybe I don’t. As you’ve reminded me.” He strode toward the door, James at his heels. When he faced me again, his expression was stiff. Resolved. “I’ve arranged for a house in Hawksbill. You will move in tonight, the rest of the Ospreys with you. And in case you think I’m simply allowing my people to be in danger, rather than myself, the house will be guarded at every opening. Doors. Windows. Even fireplaces. Mirrors are being installed on the ceiling of every room. Your wraith boy, if you will not send him away for good, will be confined to a wardrobe with mirrors surrounding it. If he tries to leave—”
“Will we all be confined to the house?” I asked.
“Everything you need will be provided. The tutor you hired will go to the house for lessons and training. When your presence is required here, you will be escorted. You will have no other reason to leave.”
My stomach knotted. “So we will be prisoners.”
“I cannot prevent you from seeing yourself that way.” His expression hardened. “Your wraith killed my fiancée. Not to mention several guards of the Indigo Order.”
“I wonder if others in the Indigo Order will be satisfied with that arrangement.” I cocked my head, as though honestly curious. “I wonder if they’ll see their new assignments as opportunities for revenge.”
“This isn’t the first time you’ve questioned my people’s honor,” Tobiah said, “and I know you struggle with trusting anyone in a position of authority. But I’ll tell you this one more time: you can trust that I trust them.”
“You want to keep me prisoner. Tell me why I should trust you.”