Chapter 132

Aeros was only slightly faster than Snowduster, which made Eli proud of his choice in asking Cassius if Seph could borrow his steed. The Representative had been reluctant to let anyone else ride his prized possession, but when Eli reminded his friend that Snowduster was the only one likely to be able to keep up with Aeros, and time was of the essence, Cassius gave in. It was a wonder to think that any of the other Representatives would want Eli to return in time knowing if he was out past dark with Seph, he could easily be eliminated from the Choosing, which would give the others a much better chance at becoming the duke. However, Cassius had two important points riding in his favor. First of all, he would do anything for Kit, and it was obvious that Kit did not want Eli eliminated. Secondly, Cassius seemed to understand that there was a good chance there would never be a winner, not just one at any rate.

“Would it be possible to stop for a few moments?” Seph called from behind him. “I know how important it is for you to make it back before sunset, but I need to stretch my legs.”

Eli tried not to be annoyed. She had been a trooper so far, especially since he knew Seph wasn’t used to riding much, definitely not astride, as he’d insisted, and Snowduster was a large animal. He pulled Aeros to a halt, and his stallion whinnied in protest. Dismounting, he released the reins knowing his horse wouldn’t go anywhere, and went over to help Seph lower herself to the ground, careful not to put too much weight on his injured arm.

“Thank you,” she said, arching her back and handing him Snowduster’s reins. It wouldn’t do to lose Cassius’s horse.

“It should only be a few hours more.” Eli went back to his own horse to take a swig out of his canteen. He’d been so focused on the task at hand he’d hardly drank any water that day, and neither of them had eaten except for the meager lunch Lok’s mother had insisted upon serving them. She’d already heard of her son’s passing by the time they arrived, but she was touched that a party representing the beloved Princess had come to give her condolences, especially when she saw it was their province’s Representative delivering the message. Her kind words had renewed Eli’s belief that he may have a chance with Kit after all, despite their recent fight.

He couldn’t blame Kit for being upset with him. He would be too, if the circumstances had been reversed. A million times since he’d returned for good, he’d wanted to tell her the truth, to let her know he was the one who’d performed her Proem Ceremony, but the queen had specifically forbade any of them from speaking about the experience, and he didn’t see the point now that three years had passed. As far as he knew, Kit was indifferent to the entire ceremony now and didn’t even want to think about it. What good could bringing it up do?

“Will you help me back on?” Seph called, and Eli was happy to get started again, even if it did mean touching the woman he’d hoped to never see again. He put his mind elsewhere as he grabbed ahold of her slender waist and lifted her up. She struggled to get her leg over but eventually managed. “Thank you.”

“Certainly,” he replied, once he was sure she was stable. He knew what her mission was, what the queen had instructed her to do, and yet she hadn’t tried to take advantage at all. It would’ve been quite easy for her to slide back into him then, to pretend she couldn’t stay atop the massive horse. But she hadn’t, and he appreciated it, though he wished he knew what she was thinking.

There was absolutely nothing at all wrong with Seph as women went. Eli let his mind wonder for only a few seconds while he climbed back into his saddle. The time they’d spent together had been memorable. But Seph wasn’t Kit, and even back then, the viscountess had known his heart belonged to someone else. They had discussed the possibility of marriage, someday, once Kit’s Choosing was over, once Eli would be forced to give up every last scrap of hope. Now, the situation had changed dramatically, and Seph seemed as supportive as possible. But then, when he’d left the last time, years ago, she’d told him she wouldn’t wait, and he assumed she hadn’t. It was a shock to him to hear that she still hadn’t married.

Aeros wanted to run, but he decided to slow their pace slightly so that Seph might be a little more comfortable. They were making excellent time. He wouldn’t dally because, for all he knew, the queen would go so far as to take out one of the essential roads he’d need to reach the castle on time, but he didn’t think she’d go that far when Rona thought she’d sent a seductress along to slow him.

They hadn’t seen many others on the road, likely because of the mud. The rains had brought more water than the earth could absorb. Wagons and carts would struggle, though the horses had managed to pick their way through well enough. Still, both animals would need a good scrubbing when they returned to the castle.

Seph came up even with him, and a quick glance at her face let him know there was something she wanted to discuss. “What is it?” he asked, turning his attention back to the road.

“You have always been a mind reader,” she snickered, both hands firmly on the reins.

“I can’t read minds well enough to know what you’re thinking of, but I do see that something is troubling you.”

“Yes, something I’m not supposed to mention to you, but I honestly don’t see any way around it.”

She had his attention then. “Who has forbidden you from speaking to me about it?”

“I cannot say.”

“Then why mention it at all?”

Seph cleared her throat. “Because... I’m afraid... when we return to the castle, Queen Rona may have my head, and I don’t know if there’s anything we may be able to do about it.”

Eli pulled back on the reins and reached out to stop Snowduster as well. Despite no longer being in a relationship with this woman, her words were alarming. “Tell me everything, Seph. I don’t care what you’ve been told to keep secret. I need to know.”

Seph nodded, but he could tell she was still considering whether or not to reveal her secrets. She took a deep breath before saying, “I was given an... order. I’m not to let you return to the castle before the sun goes down.”

He had already figured that much out. “Yes. Is that all?”

Her eyes widened. “You knew?”

“Not exactly.” Aeros took a few impatient steps beneath him, drawing them slightly apart before Eli got him in check. “But I know there are people... with power... who would like nothing more than to see me eliminated from the Choosing. What better way to do that than to send someone from my past to try to convince me to be with her again? Or at the very least, have her slow the trip so that there are too many questions? I am not at all surprised to hear that you’ve been asked to do something to take me out of the picture, Seph.” He had managed to say all of that without mentioning the queen, though it was obvious she was the only one he could be speaking of.

“Well, if I fail, I’m quite certain she’ll have my head.” He could hear the fear in Seph’s voice. “Yet... I can’t bring myself to do it. That is... I know I couldn’t take advantage of you. I see how you look at the princess, and I know you well enough to understand your feelings for her go back well before anything between us ever took place. But as far as faking an injury, getting lost, losing my horse... these were all suggested to me. I don’t think I can do it.”

“Then don’t.” He shrugged as if it were just that easy.

Seph’s dander rose. “But I’d like to keep my head, Eliason!”

He couldn’t help but smile at her. “I know failing a mission is a good way to get one’s self in trouble, but trust me, she won’t take your head over this. If she did, she’d have to start all over again, and she likely feels as if she’s running out of time. She will be angry, but she won’t punish you.”

The girl did not seem convinced. “I’m not sure that’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

Eli drew in a deep breath and turned to face her as best he could still on Aeros’s back. “Seph, listen, over the years, the queen has asked me to perform many tasks for which I failed. Each time, she’s threatened to kill me or throw me in the dungeon. She even took me to the lowest chambers beneath the castle once, just to frighten me. It worked. But I still don’t carry out her nefarious plans.”

“Why hasn’t she dispatched you?”

“There are council members who have stepped in, I imagine. I know there are noblewomen who see my merit, who understand I am an asset to the crown, whether the queen recognizes it or not. I’m certain you will be frightened to stand in front of her and explain why you’ve failed, but you should just divert all of the blame to me. It’s nothing new to the queen. She’ll be angry. She may call you names and shout, but you’ll be fine, Seph. Let her know you’re willing to try again, and she’ll see how invaluable you are in your current station. The princess trusts you. She can’t easily find another noblewoman who can take your place. You could even go so far as to tell the queen you felt a spark between the pair of us.”

To that, Seph giggled. “Hardly.”

“I’m just saying... it truly will be all right. But listen... you won’t be entirely safe as long as you’re at the castle, Seph, and maybe not if you go home either. If you don’t do what the queen wants, eventually, you may end up like some of the others who’ve gotten too close to the princess over the years.” His mind went to Terrowin, Dullen, Hins, and the others who had disappeared. “If you’re going to keep this position, you must know, loyalty to Kit must come above everything else, including the value you put on your own life. We will do our best to keep those who’ve chosen to side with the princess safe, but there may well be casualties before this is over.”

“Before what is over?” Seph asked, her forehead crinkled and a spark of fear lit her eyes.

Eli glanced around, not sure if he should say what was on the tip of his tongue, especially since there was a chance she would return to the castle and tell Rona everything he’d just said. But he felt like he could trust her, that Kit would need Seph’s support in the long run if she was going to fulfill her destiny. “This isn’t just a Choosing, Seph. Look around you. You know, even more than Kit does, the state of the realm. You’ve seen it with your own eyes, haven’t you? The hunger, the horrible conditions, the plundering and taxation. It has to stop.”

Seph stared at him for another few moments before her head slowly began to rock back and forth. “And you think Kit will put an end to all of that mistreatment?”

“I know she will.”

“I’ve never heard the princess say anything about those concerns you’ve just listed.”

Eli shook his head. “She’s not completely aware yet, Seph. She’s been so sheltered, taught to accept what her mother says as the truth of the goddesses. Slowly, we’re letting her know all of the reasons why she needs to take the crown sooner rather than later.”

“We?” Seph asked, her eyes flickering around as if he were talking about people with them now.

“There are others,” Eli confirmed. There was no point in listing the Representatives, guardsmen, castle workers, members of nobility who were secretly organizing behind Kit’s back. But their numbers were growing. They could use Seph. She had an inside track to the queen now, and she would know of some of these schemes before they took place. If he’d had more of a clue that Rona intended to make Pierce the savior the night before, perhaps he could’ve informed Merek that he was about to die, that the gold he’d been promised for putting on a show wasn’t real. Instead, the man had come in drunk and killed two guards, taking the queen’s charade way too far. When he’d refused to drop his ax, Eli hadn’t had a choice.

“I shall need to think on it,” Seph said, but he could see in her eyes she would do the right thing. He knew Sephorina well enough to believe she was above any empty promises the queen may make to her, especially now that she understood the stakes.

“Yes, do so,” he nodded. “And don’t worry about Rona for now, Seph. She won’t end you. I promise.”

Seph swallowed hard, but he could see that she believed him. Eli started to give Aeros his head again, but her hand reached out and grabbed his arm. “Eli, you said it isn’t just a Choosing. So, if that’s the case, then... what is it?”

Without turning to look at her, he replied, “It’s a revolution.”