'Don't call me queen. We've been through too much together to — '
'You are my brother's betrothed and rightful queen of Merofynia, what else could I call you?'
'Friend?'
Fyn swallowed and managed to smile. 'You are right. My pardon — '
'So formal.' She rolled her eyes.
Fyn laughed but his heart was heavy. 'Come, you must be tired.'
They walked in silence up the curving stair. Isolt led the way into her chambers, pausing at a window that overlooked the Landlocked Sea. It was dusk now and still raining. Fyn could just see that Palatyne and the king's bodies had been removed from the terrace.
'So the board is cleared, ready for another game of Duelling Kingdoms,' Isolt said.
Fyn's Affinity tingled as if something was on the edge of his perception. He frowned, trying to make it clear.
'What was that?' Isolt asked.
'Nothing.'
She sighed. 'Well, I am glad it is all over.'
'Yes, my queen,' Fyn said. But his Affinity told him otherwise.