Page 24 of The Prince's Fealty

Var couldn’t understand it at all. The peace had been stable for twenty-five years. He’d worked tirelessly to protect not just Alossa but the entirety of the United Realms. Hestrove to deepen the connections between all the rulers—which was why he’d had the idea for that disastrous match between Tor and Terila. If Var had just listened to Tor when he’d said no, could this all have been avoided?

Or had it been inevitable? Would Var and Tor have been herded to this outcome no matter what they’d done?

Var grimaced to himself. He could at least have made it harder for them!

“I need to send for Ada as soon as possible,” Var told Nostex. He cleared his throat. “As long as you’re willing to host her, of course.”

Nostex’s eyes narrowed faintly as he considered. “Now, you know I’m always happy to see Princess Adexa, but are you sure that’s the wisest choice?”

“I want all my family here where I can protect them!” Var exclaimed.

Not that he’d done a very good job of that in Nexa. Var’s stomach rebelled, but he swallowed thickly. He couldn’t change the past, but he could certainly fight for a better future.

“Of course, of course,” Nostex agreed, giving him an understanding smile. “That is a completely understandable impulse. But she’s completely protected right now. We both know Stronex can hold his own against a threat.”

Var made a face. That wasprobablytrue, although what if Stronex didn’t know therewasa threat? Or what if—?

Nostex’s green eyes went wide. “Surely you don’t think he could be involved?”

Aware that they were talking about treason, Var said carefully, “It seems highly unlikely, but I don’t want to make the assumption that Yomil was working alone.”

It seemed highly unlikely to him that the man was doing so, although perhaps he’d simply vastly underestimated Yomil’s ambitions.

Nowhere could be perfectly safe, as what had happened in Nexa had demonstrated, but Var would feel a lot more comfortable if he could see Ada with his own two eyes.

“Well, if you’re certain,” Nostex conceded. He seemed uncertain for another moment and then nodded his head, smiling at Var. “I feel much better having my daughter here where I can see her and keep her safe myself, so I can’t blame you. You write a letter, and we can send my fastest messenger and a couple of my best guards. How does that sound?”

“And Knight Harili,” Var said impulsively.

He, Ferna, and Cala had made it this far, after all. If they were involved, that probably wouldn’t have happened, right?

“Certainly, certainly,” Nostex agreed. “Whatever makes you feel most comfortable.”

A yawn surprised Var, making his jaw crack, and he realized that Ferna and the baby were already dozing, Ferna tilted a little awkwardly in her chair, but her arms wrapped carefully around Cala.

Nostex patted his hand. “We’ll just get this letter written, and then you can clean up and get to bed. How does that sound?”

Sleeping in an actual bed sounded divine, plus there were actual doors and guards and plenty of protections for them.

Nostex produced paper and pen and ink, and after thinking for a moment, Var dashed off a letter to Ada indicating that he was worried for her safety, the family was in danger, and could she please come to Fila as quickly as possible, where Var would explain everything.

Maybe it was cowardly, but he couldn’t imagine trying to write what had happened to Tor in a letter.

He sealed the missive with his signet ring, and Nostex swore the messenger would be off first thing in the morning. Var almost demanded they go now, but if he was sending Harili, they really needed to get at least a few hours of sleep.

No one went quickly when they couldn’t see where they were going and their horse broke a leg in a rabbit hole.

Ada would get here. Var has asked her to come quickly, and he didn’t doubt she would. There’d be guards protecting her, and it would get her farther away from Alossa and any possible threat there.

This was for the best.

And then Nostex kissed his daughter’s forehead and gave Var’s arm a reassuring squeeze.

“Everything’s going to be all right,” he told them. “I’ll take care of you.”

Var could feel exhaustion stealing over him. The idea of someone else taking care of them was extremely tempting—although they turned down the offer of having a battalion of guards ringing the nursery.

“You’re sure you wouldn’t get a better night’s sleep if she were in the nursery? I’d protect her just as I would protect you, dearest,” Nostex assured Ferna.