All true. “You needn’t be smug about it,Sybil. It could have fallen out differently at any point.”
“No, it couldn’t. I warned you Covey wouldcapture you. I told you that more than once. Your involvementresulted in the quick rescue of Lady Amily and the young heirs ofKavin, and you kept the king from leaving Kavin Wood. Had youstayed in Kavin and the prince proceeded in his plans to rescue hissister himself, he would have had to face Covey and the women thatcontrol him. You were outside Kavin Wood, captive, and that keptKing Russal from leaving Kavin Wood. Hindsight is a lovely gift,but it sometimes lends itself to the belief that all would haveworked out had we all just sat tight.”
Kambry paced from the door to her chair.Hindsight. How annoying. Russal hadn’t exited the tree linewhen Dorvea and Lessa had returned on horseback. He had waited inthe woods. He hadn’t said Kavin Wood had stopped him from leaving,but it made perfect sense now. She had already asked him if hecould not exit the tree line. Though there was no proof thatkeeping him inside Kavin Wood protected him from Covey, Kavin hadrefused to allow him to leave.
She had faced Covey instead with the ring andKavin Wood magic, making it possible to force him to leave. Hadthat interference made the difference that kept Russal’s continuedgovernance of the kingdom of Kavin? If Covey had them both and thering, he might have been able to force his coup.
Was it possible Sybil had other impressionsshe hadn’t shared in their entirety? “Do you know who wears thequeen’s ring?”
Sybil’s face revealed a sudden understanding.“So there are two rings?”
Kambry nodded slowly, unsettled that she knewsomething Sybil had only suspected.
Sybil stood and took two steps and stopped.She faced Kambry. “May I walk about? It helps me think.”
“Of course, far be it from me to hamper yourprocess.” She knew her tone was condescending, but she couldn’tkeep her irritation hidden. There were just too many difficultiesto face as a queen. She waved a hand. “Please, pace away, andstraighten anything that moves your thoughts along.”
Sybil’s mouth fell slightly open and clampedshut. She paced with a marching step the length of Kambry’schamber, from the glass doors of the balcony to the door that ledto the castle halls. Kambry sat down and tugged at the wrist strap.She huffed. I need to break that habit.
Sybil stopped by her chair. “Two rings. Oneworn by a woman outside Kavin Wood. One worn by you, but yoursbelongs to the king.”
Kambry turned in her chair and looked up atSybil. “Yes. But who wears the other ring? Do you know?”
“Just that she is a woman. I wasn’t sure thatyou and she weren’t the same. The impression is indistinct. I amnever wrong when I am certain you are the focus. But there havebeen times I was unsure who was wearing the ring.”
“Because it wasn’t me?”
“It didn’t feel like you.”
They remained silent, one sitting stiffly,the other standing rigidly.
“I need time to unscramble my understanding.Knowing there are two rings changes the possibilities.”
“We need to talk to Russal.”
“About that, Miss do Brode. The reason Iwanted to wait for this discussion until after the crowning is thatKing Russal must never know my loyalty is with you alone. It willbe rare that what you need from me will challenge what he needs,but you will always win. It may seem unlikely now, but when you arequeen, you will view the situation differently. With MarshalBurtram, the king always wins. They both understand their roles,and you must, too. It is important that you appear at all timesunited. A known split in the power of Kavin could causedissension.”
Kambry stood and faced her. “I will not lieto Russal.”
“You have kept information from him beforewhen you thought it would protect him. This is no different. Infact, it is far more necessary than any reason you held in thepast. Think the implications through before you share thisinformation. What would it add to this other woman’s strength toknow the sybil is loyal to the queen only?”
She would think it through. Telling Russalwas not making it public, and she knew the marshal was faithful toRussal and no one else. How could the sybil’s loyalty be anydifferent? Except, Kambry wasn’t from Kavin and educated to be aqueen. That changed the dynamics somewhat. She only had Sybil’sword that her loyalty was to the queen alone, but she would thinkabout it before she spoke to Russal. It would have to wait untillater today, as they wouldn’t see each other until theceremony.
“You have little time to get ready for theunion and your crowning,” Sybil said. “Are we finished fornow?”
“For now.” Kambry caught her fingers reachingfor the strap and stilled them. “I will consider what is best forKavin before I speak to Russal.”
Sybil went to the door, her hand landing onthe latch. She paused and turned. “Miss do Brode, in view of ournew relationship, I do have information for you.”
Kambry leveled her gaze at Sybil. “Ourrelationship is still tentative.”
“Be that as it may, a woman will betray you,someone who has appeared loyal to you. I do not have details tohelp identify whom.”
A quick list of the women she trusted rattledthrough her mind: Dorvea, Lessa, Lady Laurents, Amily, Mom.... Shegazed at Sybil. “I suppose that gets you off the list.”
Sybil’s mouth quirked up. “If you mean youhave already lost faith in me, then that would be an accurateassessment.” Her face grew serious. “Be alert,soon-to-be-officially queen of Kavin. I cannot determine whichwoman, and I think that is because there is more than one.”
More than one? “You’re never easy onme, Sybil.”
“But always loyal.”
“Hmm. Today, I will take your word for that.Will I see you at the confirmation?”
“It is part of my job description. I mustapprove and confirm that you offer no danger to the kingdom.”
“I question that. I might very well offerdanger.”
Sybil’s fingers pattered on the latch handle.“My impressions do not support that, Your Highness. You are thereason for all the good that has come to Kavin in these monthssince your arrival. I will focus my
