“You…you would…” He licked his lips and looked away, and she bethis mouth was dry as sand.
“Would you like me to send for refreshment?”
“So you can threaten to poison me, too?” He took a deep breath,and it was gratifying to see him so rattled. He truly didn’t know her at all.
Her eyes stung, but they stayed dry. “I don’t want you to die,Father,” she said softly, not able to meet his eyes. “And I don’t wish to causeyou pain. I only wish to know the truth.”
“And that will help you decide my fate?” He sounded incredulous,but there was something else, a hint of disappointment that she would letemotion sway her in this. Even when he could use it against her, he did notwant sentiment to rule her heart.
She closed her eyes and breathed deep. At least he’d stayed trueto his principles. “No,” she lied, opening her eyes. “It will not change mymind. I would simply like to know what was in your thoughts. If you were goingto use your actions after the coup was thwarted as lessons, what would theconclusion be?”
He looked away, frowning. She gripped the mind pyramid, sotempted, and no doubt it would come easily to her, as all magic did. Then shecould see those wheels turning, know the truth behind all the cursed facades.Did he even possess emotions, or had all her girlish hopes been in vain?
“In the council chamber,” he said slowly, “I saw the man with theknife coming for you, and I acted. I cannot answer for my thoughts as I hadnone. I felt the sting of betrayal from Anastasia. I had been surprised to seeyou, but at the moment with the knife…” He shrugged. “As you said, I neverwished for you to be hurt, either.”
Not physically, no.
“As for the Fiend,”he whispered the word. “I saw an opportunity. Naturally, I hoped you would besaved as well—”
“Why?” She sat forward, feeling as if her throat was being squeezed.She wasn’t willing to sit through a lecture on the importance of opportunity.“You have other heirs, the cousins you never hesitate to speak of. What’s sospecial about me?”
He frowned, staring as if she was a madwoman. “As my child, youare my first choice.”
She managed to keep her voice steady as she asked, “Do you loveme, Father?”
He leaned back as if she’d slapped him. “What?”
“You want me to inherit, but is that it? Did you want me toremain unhurt, to be rescued, because you also love me? Worry for me? Find ithard to consider life without me?” And it was the greatest strain on her courtmask, but she kept her lips from trembling, kept any tears inside, and foughtthe urge to sob.
He continued to stare, but because the answer was no or becausehe didn’t know how to say yes? She clutched the pyramid until the capstonepricked her palm.
“Sylph.” He made that same motion toward his necklace but paused,holding his hand over his chest, fingers tapping his palm a few times. Hisbrows were pinched in distress. “I can see you’re upset, but I…well. I supposeI must…” He cleared his throat. “I cannot see what you want from me.” And hisface was as open and real as she’d ever seen it.
Her fingers slipped off the pyramid. He honestly didn’t know howto answer. More than that, he didn’t know how to love.
She’d been the same before Thana, but no one had ever taught himdifferently, not even her mother. Or maybe she’d been right before, and he’dnever been capable of such feelings. Not wanting to see her hurt was as closeas he could come.
Some of her childhood dreams died in that moment—she could almosthear them shattering like glass—but it was better they be buried than continueto limp along without hope.
“I’m sorry I upset you, Father.” She stood and bowed, and henearly leaped to return the gesture. He glanced at her pocket, and she gavewhat she hoped was a reassuring smile. She would not use the pyramid. If shelooked for his emotions and saw confirmation of his emptiness, she would not beable to stop a sob.
She managed to leave on steady legs, managed to grab Thana’s handand ignore all questions until they were behind closed doors, and she couldweep one last time for a little girl’s love gone wanting.
* * *
Later that day, in the royal sitting room, Queen Earnhilt askedSylph’s opinion on her father. She didn’t hesitate before saying, “Put himwhere he will do the least damage and the most good.” She cleared her throatand sighed. “Though I admit, Majesty, I have no idea where that could be.”
But Queen Earnhilt had faced off against him enough in thecouncil chamber that she knew him as well as Sylph, sad as that was.
No, she was done thinking on that for now.
She took Thana’s hand, tired of giving a shit what people mightthink, as Thana would say.
Queen Earnhilt nodded. “Fair enough. I’ll keep him here at court.He can help with the nobles, both as gossip magnet and example, and we’ll havean extra in case the Waltz comes up unexpectedly.”
Sylph caught Thana’s look. Since the queen had brought up magic,there was the opportunity for another topic they’d already discussed.
“Speaking of, Majesty,” Thana said, “it’s my great pleasure totell you that Calla will now be the royal pyradisté.”
Queen Earnhilt frowned and seemed about to object, but PrinceGunnar cleared his throat from where he stood behind the queen’s chair. “Soundslike a fine idea now that she doesn’t have to hide any longer.” He winked atSylph and Thana, and Sylph was very glad they’d pulled him into the scheme.
When they’d asked Calla, she’d only said, “About time,” and Sylphhad to drag Thana away from the room before she’d yelled the place down.
Queen Earnhilt drummed her fingers on the arm of her chair andlooked between them. “Conspiracy, eh? Haven’t we had enough of those by now?”
“I’ll make sure she’s got all the knowledge she needs,” Thanasaid.
Queen Earnhilt smirked. “And I suppose you two