A Place Beside the King

Vanessa found her mother directing servants outside the Luna's chambers, inspecting Sera's candlesticks.

"Those can stay," Marielle told a servant. "My daughter has no reason to replace perfectly good silver."

"Mother."

Marielle turned. "What happened? Has Damon upset you?"

"He's received a letter from the northern patrol. The Lycan King rescued Sera on the road."

Marielle dismissed the servants and took Vanessa inside.

"You ought to rest. You've barely eaten this morning."

"Damon hasn't stopped talking about her. He wants to know why the king intervened."

"He's concerned about the Crown's involvement," Marielle said, handing her water. "Damon chose you, and you're carrying his heir."

Vanessa set the glass down untouched. "And the servants ask me about the winter stores. As though I need Sera."

"They'll learn to come to you."

"She was supposed to leave with nothing. Instead, the king comes to her rescue. How is that fair?"

"A night's shelter won't restore her position."

"What if he takes her to the palace?"

Marielle laughed. "With an accusation of theft following her? Even kings must answer to their courts."

She admired the jewels around Vanessa's throat.

"Look at you. The servants will learn to respect you, and Damon has chosen you. Let Seraphina enjoy whatever charity she can find."

Vanessa watched servants carry away Sera's belongings.

"Why does everything still have to be about her?!"

"It won't last," Marielle assured her. "Soon enough, everyone will forget her. You have your whole future ahead of you, darling, and that wretched girl has nothing left."

***

I found my mother's hairpin beneath my pillow the next morning. Its bent flower caught against the fabric. I tucked it into my borrowed dress before going downstairs.

Elara had saved me bread and eggs and asked whether my knee still hurt.

"A little. The physician said I could move about, provided I don't overdo it."

"Good. I'd rather not have to carry you upstairs."

Her dry expression made me smile.

Over breakfast, I asked about the southern courier.

"One goes at noon. Are you expecting something?"

"I was hoping to send a letter."

Elara brought me paper from the office and left me by the window.

I addressed it to Master Alden, who operated three warehouses along the western trade route. I'd arranged deliveries with him for years. When winter grain went missing, we compared receipts until I found the clerk's mistake. He'd told me to write if I ever needed assistance.

I had never imagined taking him at his word.

My first draft mentioned the accusation immediately. I crossed out the opening and began again, explaining that I was seeking administrative work and could provide details of the accounts I'd managed. At the bottom, I added that the allegation against me was false.

I read the letter twice. I had no other proof to offer him.

When the courier arrived, Elara paid the postage before I could object. I promised to repay her, then hesitated over the return address. I no longer had one.

"You may direct a reply here," a familiar voice said behind me.

Kael stood near the entrance, dressed for travel. His left glove was fastened at the wrist, and a guard waited nearby.

"Would that be permitted?" I asked.

"Of course. Though I expect to leave for the Northern Palace tomorrow."

My fingers tightened around the receipt. "Then I should find another place to stay."

"You may accompany us. The palace has rooms for guests, and you would have access to a physician while you recover."

"I don't know how long I'll need."

"You needn't decide that today."

Why would the Lycan King take such an interest in me? He ruled seven kingdoms, yet he was offering a place in his palace to a woman he had rescued from an attack. Last night he'd implied he had something to ask of me, although he hadn't explained what. I could manage accounts and negotiate shipments, but surely a king had hundreds of people capable of doing both.

"Would your court welcome someone accused of stealing from her own pack?"

"Some will object," he admitted. "I'll handle those objections."

He sounded remarkably unconcerned. Inviting someone in my current predicament into his palace would mean having to explain my presence to his advisers, perhaps even defend his decision before the royal court. I couldn't imagine what he hoped to gain that would make such trouble worthwhile. Whatever he intended to ask of me, I suspected it mattered more than he was prepared to tell me.

I glanced down at the receipt in my hand. I still hoped Alden would answer my letter, and I wasn't ready to abandon that possibility simply because the king had offered me somewhere to stay.

"May I think it over, Your Majesty?"

"Of course."

***

That evening, Lucien arrived with palace reports and the courier list.

"Her letter is addressed to a merchant named Alden," he said. "They have an established business relationship."

Kael read the name. "Can he employ her?"

"He has the means. His warehouses are expanding."

"And his agreements with the Crown?"

"Two supply contracts. Both require renewal this month."

Kael handed back the report. "Arrange for the reviews to begin tomorrow."

Lucien opened another report. "The east wing rooms are ready. The steward wants to know whether her arrival should be announced to the council."

"They'll know when she arrives."

Lucien sighed, hardly surprised. "You don't expect her to refuse."

"I expect her to consider it carefully."

Lucien remembered the girl being held at Silvercrest while the king's agents waited beyond its borders. Their timing had nearly cost her life. He had said as much then, and Kael had listened without changing an instruction.

"She'll ask questions," Lucien said.

"Let her."

Lucien studied him. "She's already considering other options. If she accepts work elsewhere, our preparations at the palace may prove unnecessary."

"They'll remain in place."

"And if she discovers you've interfered?"

Kael closed the folder.

"Then she must never have reason to suspect it."