Vrell emitted a small squeak and sat on the bottom step. Every muscle in her body tensed. What was her cousin doing in Meribah Corner, of all places? She peered between the banister railing, up between Inko and Sir Caleb's bodies. The trio had not yet reached them.
Sir Caleb muttered, "Well, well. What has our young prince found?"
"Trouble," Inko said. "I'm insisting Lady Tara is not being a wise choice. It'll be gaining us nothing we're not already having."
"But should he choose her, it is his choice, despite what we say," Sir Caleb said.
Inko propped a hand on the doorframe. "I am doubting he is knowing that. This choice will be affecting so much. We should not be allowing him to be making it alone."
Sir Gavin stopped beside Inko. "My lady, allow me to introduce Sir Caleb Agros and Inko son of Mopti, two fellow Kingsguardsmen. It's been our sole purpose these past years to find the true prince and see his birthright restored."
Vrell watched between Inko and Sir Gavin's arms.
Tara wore a stunning red gown and her white-blond curls were pinned up under a golden net. She curtsied. "It is an honor to make your acquaintance. I hope you will enjoy your stay at Meribah Corner."
"I'm sure we will, my lady," Sir Caleb said.
"If you will excuse me a moment, I would like to check on dinner, then I shall return and see you to your rooms."
Achan released her arm and bowed. "Your kindness is beyond measure. We've not been so welcomed in all Er'Rets."
Except when Koyukuk threw a ball in his honor. Vrell rolled her eyes. Achan had royal blood, all right. He could spread on charm like icing when a pretty woman was around.
Tara beamed, her cheeks as pink as the inside of a watermelon. Oh, yes. Vrell was familiar with the way Achan's smile could fluster a girl.
But Tara's good breeding didn't allow emotions to affect her perfectly polite response. "It is my humble pleasure, Your Highness." She curtsied again, and walked back the way she'd come, looking back over her shoulder twice before exiting the great hall.
"My, my, Your Highness," Sir Caleb said. "I see why you favor her so."
Achan sucked in a deep breath, seeming taller somehow. "She'd make a charming queen, wouldn't she?" He beamed, evidently quite pleased with himself.
Vrell snorted. "If you desire only beauty and polite conversation."
Achan leaned between Inko and Sir Caleb and peeked over the banister. "That's all you see, Sparrow? I don't discount her virtue, for we all can see that clearly. But I see much more. She is kind, wise, well-spoken-more so than I'll ever be. I'd even go so far as to call her a diplomat for having accepted us here in spite of Lord Gershom's refusal." He glanced at Sir Gavin. "Doesn't that show her strength of character and wit?"
Sir Gavin inhaled deeply. "Aye, Achan. She's a stunning woman, I'll grant you that."
"Plus she was kind to me when she thought me no more than a servant. Where else could I find such nobility of character amongst nobility? All the rest are like Jaira."
"That is unfair," Vrell said. "How many eligible noblewomen have you met, Achan? Four at my count. I don't trust Mandzee, though she is not as calculating as Jaira. But Lady Gali's kindness equaled Tara's."
Achan paled slightly. Vrell knew he loathed the idea of marrying Lady Gali.
Sir Caleb jumped in. "Try to see the bigger picture, Your Majesty. We've traveled hundreds of miles and only passed over a portion of your kingdom. A king must reach as many of his people as he can-all of them, should be your goal. Taking Lady Tara as a bride will help little. Meaning her no disrespect, but she's no one to the majority of your subjects."
That stung. The way these men spoke of a woman's future…as if any woman would be thrilled with whatever offer came her way. Vrell dressed as a boy because she refused to fall victim to the false Prince Gidon's demands. But she sympathized with Achan's desire to choose his own wife, even if he had set his sights on the most perfect-looking woman Vrell knew.
Achan's scowl told Vrell he understood and didn't like it. "And you would have me marry who? Lady Gali?"
"No," Sir Caleb said. "Someone of greater title than Lady Tara or Lady Gali."
"And what if this person doesn't want me? Should we suffer an unhappy life together?"
"For the sake of your kingdom? Yes," Sir Caleb said. "You're misled indeed if you think being king is a warrant to do whatever you please. A good king sacrifices his needs for those of his kingdom. A good queen would do the same."
"You're wanting to be a good king, are you not?"
Achan's smoldering glare fixated on Inko. "I never said I wanted to be king at all. Maybe I'll sign treaties with everyone and marry Gren." He pivoted on his heel and stalked away.
"Arman be helping us," Inko said.
Vrell hung her head. She wanted to be angry at Achan. Why, she couldn't say. Jealousy over the way he doted on Tara, her own cousin? She hated to think herself so catty. She hadn't wanted to marry Esek enough to go into hiding dressed as a boy. What if Achan fled as Vrell had? What would Er'Rets do without him? Esek would rule unchallenged.
Achan faced a terrible burden indeed. Vrell would not wish it on anyone.
True to her word, Tara showed them to their rooms. Before Vrell could follow Inko into the chamber, Sir Gavin drew her aside.
"I'm to follow Lady Tara downstairs to discuss what supplies we need. Would you like to speak with her privately regarding your situation? You're family, are you not?"
"She is my cousin. Do you think I should remain here?"
"If that's your wish, but I'd have to settle it with your mother first. I promised to see you safely home. For now, shall I speak to Lady Tara on your behalf?"
What would Tara think of Vrell traipsing across Er'Rets with a pack of men? "Yes, thank you, Sir Gavin."
She followed Sir Gavin down to a small solar with a crackling fireplace. Vrell waited in the doorway while Sir Gavin requested supplies. He sat beside Tara on a high-backed sofa. Carmack stood at Tara's side, recording Sir Gavin's requests. With his furs removed, Vrell recalled where she knew him. He had been a high-ranking soldier on Lord Livna's guard, a man Tara and their other cousin, Lathia, had fawned over on Vrell's many visits to Tsaftown. How strange to see him acting as Tara's servant. Why was he here? And why was Tara here?
Vrell's stomach clenched, heavy with dread. What if the knights permitted Achan his wish to marry Tara? She would make a lovely queen. She was so beautiful… So perfect.
Sir Gavin leaned close to Tara and whispered. Carmack straightened, his dark eyes boring into the top of Sir Gavin's back, clearly concerned for his mistress. Vrell's heart pounded. She licked her lips, praying Tara would not make a scene.
Sir Gavin bid farewell to Tara and winked his brown eye at Vrell on his way out.
Tara kept her eyes downcast. "Leave us a moment, Master Demry? Stand guard outside?"
Carmack's scowl flashed between Vrell and Tara. "Of course, my lady." He bowed and marched out the door, casting his stormy expression down on Vrell as he passed.
"Close the door, boy," Tara said.
Vrell obeyed, flushing at Tara's playful tone.
"Now come closer where I can get a good look at you."
Vrell took a deep breath and moved before the sofa.
Tara's narrowed eyes darted over every inch of Vrell. "Averella? This cannot be true!"
Despite Vrell's smile, tears gushed from her eyes. "Oh, Tara."
Tara stood and seized Vrell in a tight embrace. "Dear one, sit and tell me your tale. I had heard from your mother you were on holiday." Tara held Vrell's hand, sat on the sofa, and drew Vrell beside her. "Aunt Nitsa confessed Prince Gidon still sought your hand. I could not blame you for your refusal. I hid in this room trembling when I believed he had come here today. But what of it now? For I discover the stray squire in my solar and not the evil prince. I can scarcely believe it. Certainly that traitor no longer seeks you?"