Page 38 of The Prince's Fealty

They all stared in horror as they contemplated the notion that King Nostex had chosen to use his daughter as a pawn from practically the moment of her birth, orchestrating her marriage with Varex solely so that one day, he could kill Varex’s siblings and children to try to direct the Fealty to Fernila—and then kill his own daughter, so that it would pass to him.

It wasn’t even one hundred percent guaranteed that the Fealty would pass down a family line. How could the man be even considering this?

Tor made a face. “It would explain what happened to me, it would explain what happened here with the exiles, and it would explain what’s going on with Fernila. All that’s left is Ada. If you can get rid of her before you kill the baby”—his face tightened—“then the chances are very high where the Fealty would go.”

“It would explain why King Nostex never remarried,” Bav added. “I always thought it was a little odd he intended his only child to rule in Alossa.”

“He said Varex and Fernila’s second child would rule in Filon,” Tor explained. “He certainly implied that his extreme devotion to the wife he lost was why wouldn’t consider anyone else. But you’re right. It’s a convenient way to keep the options for the Fealty narrow.”

“And there does come a point where if he’s surrounded by the bodies of everyone near and dear to him, it’s more than a little suspicious,” Pel’s mother pointed out acerbically.

There was that.

“There’s no proof, of course,” Tor acknowledged. “This could be all of us with extremely vivid imaginations.”

“You didn’t imagine being accused of treason,” Pel pointed out with a scowl. “Or the attackon Cala.”

Tor sighed. “And the mercenaries were definitely calling my name. It’s the explanation that best fits the facts as we know them, I think.”

“But we need more than our best guess,” Pel conceded reluctantly.

“We need to get to Ada,” Tor added urgently. “She’s clearly in danger. But if we can protect her and the Fealty could therefore pass to her, Nostex is less likely to act.”

Every member of Tor’s family was in danger, that was clear. How long would High King Varex be able to keep his wife and daughter safe? Or what if Tor was right after all, and Queen Fernila was in on it?

Pel still didn’t think itlikely, but it was possible.

Tor looked at Pel’s mother. “This really is the most terrible timing. I don’t wish to put the lives of my family above the lives of anyone else, but would you survive if we waited until this is all resolved?”

Tama made a faint sound of protest, but Pel’s mother was regarding him solemnly.

“Perhaps,” she agreed. “Not having Forex hunt us down is an improvement in and of itself. But I believe you could begin helping us right away—and we would equally help you. You would be significantly bolstered by the Fealty.”

Tor’s expression was conflicted, and he demanded, “But what if I can’t help you after all? Let’s suppose that I actually make it through this alive, and my brother doesn’t kill me for treason. What if I go to live over the mountain but that doesn’t improve anything?”

“It’s possible,” Pel’s mother conceded. “We can’t yet prove that’s the problem. But it’s the best theory we have. And even if it doesn’t address the climate, our hope is that your presence would indicate good enough relations with the United Realms that other options might be available to us.”

“But your Fealty would be pledged to me—and mine to my brother.”

“We are aware,” Pel’s mother told him, expression clear. “Not everyone is delighted by that fact, but your actions have indicated that you will do what is right even if it is not always popular or approved of.”

“I will never act against my brother,” Tor declared flatly.

“We know,” she responded easily. “Loyalty is very much valued amongst our people. It just needs to be to us, too.”

They stared at one another for a long moment.

“Will you consider it?” she asked.

Chapter Nine

Pel

The silence stretched longer, almost more than Pel could stand, before Tor said, “I will.”

Both Tama and Pel’s mother practically sagged in relief. Pel caught what he thought was an aborted move on his brother’s part to support Tama. There wassucha story there.

“I’m not the only one who needs to consider it, though.” Tor squeezed Pel’s hand. “We need to talk about it, and I need to consider everything that you’ve just said.”