“The first part of the mission has failed,” Emily said, bluntly. She saw no way to cushion the blow. “Both sides have offered terms, only to have them rejected. There is going to be war and it will get very bloody. I don’t think either side can pull off a quick victory.”
Hedrick looked irked, but said nothing. Emily guessed he couldn’t disagree. The rebels would get hurt if they fought the royalists in open country, but the royalists would be chewed to ribbons if they tried to take the city. Either they had a trick up their sleeve - it was far from impossible, perhaps agents on the inside who’d open the gates - or they’d lay siege to the city instead. Dater would know the odds better than she did. He’d be careful not to play for a victory that would be worse than a defeat.
“I have to stay,” Emily said. “I have to try to complete the second part of the mission. If I can catch the person responsible for pouring oil on the fire, perhaps I can calm everything down. If...” - she shook her head - “I have to stay. You don’t have to.”
“I do,” Hedrick said. “My place is here.”
Emily was tempted to simply order him to leave. Instead, she leaned forward and put the argument into words. “There is no way I can guarantee your safety,” she said, flatly. “The rebels will withdraw their safe conduct, perhaps without even allowing you time to get out first. You might even be killed by accident.”
“My place is here,” Hedrick said. “There’s nothing I can do with the army.”
Emily frowned. Hedrick wasn’t a complete fool. He had to know he was in dreadful danger. And yet... her eyes narrowed. Did he hope the rebels would put him on the throne? Did he think his brother would have him killed, just to eliminate a possible threat to the succession? It seemed unlikely - right now, Dater didn’t have any other heirs - but she had to admit it was possible. Hedrick - irony of ironies - might be safer in the rebel-held city.
Until they come for him, Emily thought. What’ll he do if they order him to leave?
“On your own head be it,” she said, curtly. “If you are determined to stay, write a letter for your brother. Lady Barb can deliver it on her way out.”
Hedrick stood and bowed. “As you please,” he said. “I’ll see to it now.”
Emily glowered at his back, then looked at Silent. “You should go,” she said, quietly. “I cannot guarantee your safety, either.”
“My Lady, I have orders to stay with you,” Silent said. Her voice was very quiet. “The Master would not be pleased if I left you behind.”
“I’ll write a note for him,” Emily said. Void would listen to her, wouldn’t he? If she ordered Silent to go, Silent could hardly say no. She had instructions to follow Emily’s orders, unless they conflicted with Void’s. And yet, she was in a very unpleasant place. If she disobeyed one set of orders, even if she’d been ordered to do so, it would look very bad. Void might be understanding. Or he might not. “I can tell him you were following my orders.”
She considered, briefly, simply forcing the maid to leave. Void could hardly blame her for that. And yet... she shook her head. The thought was appalling. She couldn’t abuse the maid. Silent deserved better than... no, it couldn’t be done. And yet...
“Someone has to look after you and the prince, while you’re trying to save the city,” Silent said. There was a hint of pride in her voice. “And that’s my job.”
Emily let out a breath. It wasn’t as if she needed a maid, although... her lips quirked at the thought of putting Prince Hedrick to work in the kitchen. She’d once joked that every king and prince should learn to cook, an eccentric concept that actually made a great deal of sense. And yet... she snorted. Prince Hedrick wasn’t going to cook. She was an indifferent cook, at best. Silent was probably right. They were going to need her.
“If you change your mind, let me know,” she said. “I can tell him that it was my decision to send you out. He can blame me.”
Silent didn’t look convinced. Emily supposed she wouldn’t be convinced either. Void could do whatever he liked to his maids, unlike his apprentice. And there were limits to how far Emily could push him. Silent was right to be concerned. She had to fear the worst if she openly disobeyed orders.
“Lady Barb won’t be here,” she added. “Does that change your mind?”
“No, My Lady.” Silent seemed oddly amused by the remark, even though she’d be alone in the house with Prince Hedrick. “It does not.”
She dropped a curtsey. “I have to return to the kitchen now, My Lady,” she added. “Dinner will not cook itself.”
Emily nodded. “Like I said, let me know if you change your mind,” she said. “I can teleport you home in a jiffy.”
Chapter Thirty
“I’M SORRY ABOUT THE ACCUSATION,” AIDEN said, the following morning. “I didn’t mean it to happen.”
“It caught me by surprise, too,” Emily said. She couldn’t help noticing, as they walked down the street, a new tension in the air. Men were gathering in small groups, casting suspicious glances in all directions. There were only a handful of women on the streets, all escorted by men. “I never realized it could be a problem.”
Her eyes narrowed. Someone had known she’d spent the night with Aiden, even if they hadn’t been doing what the mystery observer thought they’d been doing. Someone had known and put their own spin on it, before sending a message to Dater. Someone... she glanced around herself, wondering who was on the king’s payroll. King Randor had had a small army of spies under his command, to
