Page 30 of To Save a Kingdom

A whoosh of air brushed past Aliya’s cheek as Shadow leaped onto the pile of papers sitting on the desktop.

“It’s only treason if I don’t ask you to do it. If it makes you feel better, I’ll grant you a full pardon when I return, if anyone finds out.”

Shadow huffed, offended. “You think so little of my skills?”

Well, no. Not at all. “I didn’t mean that,” she said. “In fact, I think you’re the only one skilled enough to pull it off, even if you weren’t the only other shifter in the castle.”

Something flip-flopped in Aliya’s stomach. She leaned closer to the cat. “You and I are the only ones here, right?”

Shadow twitched her whiskers. “As far as I’m aware.”

Thank the mages for that. The last thing she needed was an unknown shapeshifter wandering around causing mischief. She hadn’t seen anyone with the tell-tale quicksilver eyes, but it felt better having her aunt’s reassurance.

“Do you think you can do it for a few days? Impersonate me enough to keep the council and my father off my back until I return?”

Her aunt raised a furry eyebrow, her silver irises gleamed. “Very well, niece. I will do this for you, but you’ll need to bring me up to date on everything that’s going on.” Her eyes narrowed. “Especially whatever super secret thing had you and the mountain elf running back here this morning like someone had set your tails on fire.”

Aliya chewed the inside of her cheek. She’d wanted to keep the knowledge of the lost Whisperers as quiet as possible, but Shadow was right. If she was going to impersonate Aliya, she needed to know every little detail. Including that and her father’s intentions of marrying her off to one of his listed suitors.

With a deep sigh, Aliya leaned over her desk, resting her elbows on its surface. “It started last night when I couldn’t sleep…”

Chapter 12

Elessan

“Elessan!”

He came to a halt as Princess Tsara’s voice echoed down the hallway. He braced himself at the expression on her face. His chest tightened. This was it—somehow, she’d found out about the missing Whisperers and the dead guards. Aliya’s father wasn’t as trustworthy as Aliya had promised, after all. Not that he was surprised, but he should’ve fought harder for her to pick a different investigator.

Tsara came up to him, lacing her fingers with his and gave them a gentle squeeze. “Where have you been all day? I’ve been looking for you since breakfast.”

His heart skipped a beat. He’d been following a few of the nobles in case he could ferret out any disloyalty in Aliya’s council. Scouring Tsara’s face, he frowned. She didn’t seem upset or angry. Perhaps she hadn’t found out about the Whisperers, after all?

He could only hope.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on certain members of the aristocracy who may be problematic,” he said, furrowing his brow. “What can I do for you?”

Tsara steered him to the side of the hall, out of the way of anybody who might pass by. She caged him in.

He glanced back and forth between them. “What’s this?”

Dropping her voice, Tsara leaned in close. “My father has gotten it into his head that he deserves to have the Whisperers in his possession, along with the man who created them.”

Elessan nodded. Aliya had said as much. “And he understands that if Aliya gives him what he wants, she’s guaranteeing war with the dwarves?”

Tsara waved his concern away. “He doesn’t care, as long as it doesn’t involve us. But he also told me Baron Larimar approached him yesterday about arranging a marriage contract with Aliya.” She tilted her head, pursing her lips as though scrutinizing him for the slightest reaction. “Did you know about that?”

He blinked, unable to keep the flicker of surprise from dancing across his features. No, he’d had no idea. Aliya hadn’t mentioned anything—she may not even be aware.

He pressed his mouth into a thin line as a sour taste forced its way up his throat. If her father was trying to sell her off again without her knowledge, he’d throttle the man himself. Shaking his head, he turned his focus back to Tsara. “How would such a union even work? Roland wouldn’t want to stay here as sovereign, nor would the humans accept it. And Aliya wouldn’t be willing to abandon the only kingdom she’s ever known.” Not to mention Roland would never tolerate half-breed heirs. So what was his angle?

Tsara shrugged. “If they can agree on the details, I’m sure my father will appoint a human regent to rule this forsaken place in his stead. One he can keep under control.”

Elessan shook his head. This couldn’t be happening. Aliya would never allow herself to be sold off in marriage to another king, much less that asshole. Her life would be miserable. “I hope your father realizes he’ll need Aliya’s autograph on the wedding documents, not just the baron’s. She’s a queen in her own right now, and her title far outranks her father’s.” Assuming everyone overlooked the tiny detail that she hadn’t been crowned yet.

Tsara pressed into him, her breasts squishing against his chest. “Her consent may not be as hard to obtain as you think,” she said, placing her hand on his forearm. “My father is one of the few people with a deep enough treasury to guarantee the human realm has food to last the winter.” She met his gaze. “You said so yourself—between the fires and the damage from the war, they’re facing a famine.”

Elessan swallowed. Yes, but there had to be a better option than selling Aliya off like a prized broodmare.