Page 87 of The King’s Commander

“Nay, it does not. I expect he will attempt to garner support for an attack on Meria.”

I nearly spill the ale halfway to my lips.

“Attack on Meria?”

I hadn’t considered why they were here, precisely. Given what happened with Amma. And Vanni. I haven’t thought of much else.

“You know as well as I do they are weakened by the loss of that ship. With a contingent of Voyagers, they could cause real damage. The conflict could finally be resolved.”

His words make no sense.

“Voyagers do not serve the queen.”

“Perhaps for the right price . . .”

Nay, it is not possible.

“You would never.”

Kipp gave up his mercenary days when his father died. Although some of his journeys are still dangerous, his focus is on trade, not fighting. Does he hate the king so much he’d consider taking up arms against him? Against Vanni?

“Kipp?”

He makes a face that I do not like.

I’m consumed by the thought of him sailing to d’Almerita, engaging in battle with Vanni. What if Kipp kills him? What if Vanni kills Kipp?

“Kipp?” I ask again, this time more urgently. “We do not involve ourselves in Merian affairs. You cannot. No matter what the price. Please tell me you will not think of it.”

When he smiles, that sly, intelligent smile that’s so very Kipp, I realize I’ve been played.

“Have you fallen in love with Lord d’Abella because he’s an outsider? I don’t believe so, though I can’t say I understand what you see in him. Still, you are in love with him, that much is clear. Marry him. Or do not. ’Tis your choice.”

He can be such an arse sometimes. But for all his protests, I can tell something has shifted in him, though I don’t know when or why. If his dislike for Vanni were as strong as he claims, he wouldn’t encourage me to remember one of Amma’s greatest lessons.

That we all choose our own fate.

She held that belief more dear, even, than her faith in love.

If only Vanni agreed.

“I do love him,” I admit. “I’m not sure how it happened, Kipp. But I do.”

Kipp grunts in answer.

“But he just assumed I would marry him. That I would leave Murwood End, not to mention Father and you, and join him in d’Almerita. Does he not consider a Garra may not be welcome there? Or that I might not care to swear my allegiance to his king?”

Heated now, my hands flailing, I stop, struck by the knowledge that the king is Kipp’s father. That he could be the king one day, if he accepted the man’s offer.

“Have you thought of it, even for a moment? That you could be the next King of Meria?”

“No.”

He’s such a liar.

“Not even for one moment? As you lay your head down at night, dreaming of all that is possible? You’ve not considered it once?”

Kipp’s amusement is evident. “Dreaming of all that is possible? Is that what you do?”