Page 35 of Of Might and Mettle

Papá produced a handkerchief, catching her hand and wrapping her fingers around the fabric. “What do you want to do now that you are of age? Whatever it is, consider it granted.”

She met his gaze and looked away over the courtyard, over the castle walls, over the mountains and to the stars sparkling over the ocean waves. “I—I want to see the world, Papá,” she whispered. “I want to dance—and even if I hate it, I want to try new things. I want to know more of our allies and be a voice for our people.”

The more she learned of the world between leather-bound pages, the more she wanted to be a part of it, play a role beyond the figurehead assigned to her. Maybe she could sit in court and hear from the people. Or maybe she could sail beyond the island shores and be a voice of peace for other independent kingdoms struggling to be free from the Empire.

He squeezed her fingers. “Then do it.”

His words loosened something in her chest. She flung her arms around him in a hug, much as she had four years ago, and she couldn’t help the hot tears that pricked her eyes. He believed in her. In her.

“Thank you, Papá.” She sniffed, pulling back and wiping her nose with the handkerchief. “Thank you for seeing me for more than my illness.”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead, his wiry beard tickling her skin. “You are strong, mija. Never forget that.” He straightened, offering his elbow. “Shall we? We wouldn’t want to be late to your own party.”

They left her room. In the hall, their footsteps echoed, with the swish of her skirts and . . . a tapping? She glanced over to see Papá had a cane. She gave him a curious look. “Did you get injured?”

He laughed, his chest rumbling. “No.” He smiled. “Sometimes the old hip injury flares up, and I’ve learned it’s easier to lean on something that can carry the weight.”

She grinned, squeezing his arm. “Don’t get old on me,” she teased.

He laughed. He was about to say something else when a guard approached. She caught the whispers of Empire and Elevsk, the wintry kingdom that shared a border with the Empire. Papá untangled her arm. “Go on, Teresa,” he said. “I have to tend to something urgent.” He followed the guard down the hall, leaving her at the edge of the courtyard.

She stepped into the courtyard, the marble walkway cool beneath her feet. At least with her wide skirts no one would know she went barefoot. She didn’t need to risk twisting her ankle if she did fall over, which was all the more probable now that she didn’t have Papá’s arm to steady her. Maybe she should have asked for his cane before he left.

Most of the people she had seen walking through were now within the theater. Only the quiet song of insects and frogs reached her as she crossed the courtyard—until a tense voice caught her attention. Two guards argued in the darkness of the hedges.

“—Antonio, he’s been—”

“He’s late,” said the second guard. He was older, and Teresa recognized him as Yair’s guard, Cristian, but why was he here? “I can’t take any more time, Gabriel,” he said. “I have to see to the prince. If you see Antonio, tell him to mind his post.”

“But Comandante Fuentes—” Gabriel started, but he cut off when Cristian left and didn’t turn back.

Alone now, Gabriel let out a frustrated sort of sound.

Teresa’s heart beat just a tick faster. She could help this guard, somehow.

“Is something the matter?” she asked, her heart thudding in her ears.

She could hear Mamá’s voice in her head: What would you be able to do? She hurled the words from her mind, focusing not on her weakness but on her strengths. She had a voice in her position as princess, small as it was, and that would stand for something.

Gabriel’s eyes widened and he bowed. “Princesa, I’m so sorry to disturb you on this day.”

“But something is bothering you,” she said. “Maybe I can help.”

Gabriel swallowed. His eyes darted about the courtyard at the few people who mingled there. “There are loyalists in the kingdom,” he whispered. “They’re planning an attack on your family.”

She felt the blood drain from her face. “When?”

He grimaced. “I don’t know. But soon. They took my captain, and I don’t know where he is.”

“How?” she asked. “Do you know how they plan to attack?”

He shook his head. “But I know someone who would. The steward. He is a part of the plot and he took Antonio. I need to tell the king or the prince. They’re in danger.”

She glanced around at the guards on the allure, and then at those stationed at the corners of the courtyard. “Why not tell one of the other guards?”

He swallowed. “I’m not sure who is in on it.”

She straightened. “I’ll tell one of them. They’ll have to listen to me.”