He bowed low at the waist before Thad. His sister barely inclined her head. Thad nodded.
“These are acceptable. Grooms, take them on a tour and show them their territory.” Thad turned toward the bounty hunters. “You’ve had a three-day journey by ship and must be tired. Please, be my guests for the night. We have a feast prepared in your honor.”
Ari sidled away from the cages and headed for Sebastian.
“This is a disaster,” she said as she reached him.
“Teague is going to hear of it,” he said.
“Everyone is going to hear of it, but I can’t talk Thad out of this. We need a relationship with the hunters.”
Sebastian made a rude noise.
“Exactly.” Ari turned to face the spectacle in the courtyard as the staff rushed back inside the palace, anxious to have four solid walls protecting them before the crates were opened.
“If Teague is still connected to Llorenyae, the hunters might have a relationship with him. They could tell him that you’re asking questions.” Sebastian sounded worried, which warmed something inside Ari that felt suspiciously like the tingling she’d felt when they’d kissed.
Not that she wanted to remember that piece of abject (still completely mortifying) humiliation.
“Then I’ll have to be subtle about it. They’re my best chance to get something solid to go on. I have to take it.”
He leaned toward her for a second before pulling away. “Be careful.”
“Always.”
He raised a brow.
“Fine. Usually.”
His eyes crinkled, but the worry didn’t leave his face. Ari knew how he felt. Teague was circling, the contract was still intact, she didn’t have a solid plan, and now they had panther shape-shifter monsters roaming the palace grounds, which was sure to draw Teague straight to them.
It was hard to imagine things getting much worse.
TWENTY
“UGH, REALLY?” ARI set her breakfast plate on the table and stared at Thad.
“I can’t go back on my word. Holding the ball in your honor officially launches you into society and presents you as heir to the throne.”
“Well, I figured it was canceled, what with an angry fae Wish Granter after you and some relentlessly carnivorous monsters roaming the palace grounds.” Ari sank into the chair beside Thad. “You can’t guarantee the safety of your guests, and Teague—”
“The guests can stay in the palace overnight, and Teague can see that I am going about my life as usual, which might deflect suspicion from our efforts to get rid of him.”
“But to hold a ball when there’s so much unrest in Kosim Thalas and so much—”
“You have to be seen as the heir. The kingdom has to be kept safe, and that’s our responsibility, Ari. If that means we hold a ball so that I can make sure you are launched properly, then that’s what I’m going to do.”
“Thad.” She wrapped her arm around his shoulders, and he leaned against her the way he had throughout their childhood when she was his only source of comfort in the face of a father who expected perfection, peers who treated him like a pariah, and a mother too overworked and overtired to know what to do with a son who was being groomed for a life so far above her own.
“I’m sorry I ever saw Teague. Sorry I made that stupid wish. I just wanted to protect you, but now I can’t even protect anyone in my entire kingdom. Teague is ravaging the streets. He burned down a merchant’s shop. Killed a woman on the docks and took her children. Sent his employees to rob any shop whose owner refused to pay Teague a tax on each item sold. Crime is growing. And I sit here impotent because to lift a finger against him would make my contract instantly due.” He turned to her. “You aren’t going to like hearing this, but I can’t keep standing idly by while Teague ruins Súndraille. I’ve given permission for the assassination plan to move forward whenever Ajax can find the right moment. I’m going to present you as the heir, make sure the alliances I’ve been building with you in the Assembly and with key officials are secure, and then I’m going to set the city guard against Teague’s men. If he’s still alive, he’ll come for me, and you will become queen.”
Panic flared, bright and jagged. “I just need more time, Thad. Just give me a little more time. Don’t do anything rash.”
“It isn’t rash, Ari. Over the last weeks, our people have begun to suffer because of Teague. If I don’t take action to protect them, I don’t deserve to wear the crown.”
Quick footsteps sounded outside the dining room door, and Thad instantly straightened and shoved his last bite of muffin into his mouth. The bounty hunters entered the room, moving with a controlled grace and speed that Ari would never be able to manage even on her best day.
Thad’s countenance transformed into the beaming, genial expression he wore for welcoming honored visitors from other kingdoms. “Hansel. Gretel. I hope you slept well.”
“Like a changeling,” Hansel said.
Gretel just flicked her gaze over Ari and Thad and then turned to get some food from the sideboard.
“I was just telling my sister that the palace is hosting a ball three nights from now. I would be honored to have you in attendance.”
“What would I do at a ball?” Gretel asked, her voice as controlled as her movements.
“You would dance, you absolute infidel.” Hansel laughed, but there was something forced about it. He flashed a grin at Thad and Ari. “She’s spent so much time tracking down beasties, she hardly knows how to do anything else.”
“If you haven’t brought proper attire, I’m sure our seamstress could make something to suit you,” Thad said.
Gretel set her plate on the table across from Ari and said, “We’re leaving in an hour.”
“Oh.” Thad sat back, and Ari understood his disappointment. They’d hoped to have several days to build an alliance with the hunters to get more information about Teague’s history on Llorenyae.
“Business calls.” Hansel sat down beside his sister and took a huge bite of sausage.
“Where will you go next?” Ari asked.
Hansel swallowed. “On to the port in Balavata, and from there a truly wearying camel ride into Akram with the majority of our cargo.”
“Akram?” Thad asked.
Hansel smiled. “Our best customers. Maqbara prison can’t seem to keep their beasties alive for long.”
A page stepped into the room. “If I could have a moment, Your Highness.”
“Of course.” Thad stood and then turned to the bounty hunters. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance. You are always welcome here when you come through Kosim Thalas. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”