Page 72 of The Crown’s Temptation

Enovar appeared beside Syle without being asked, which meant Syle had something to say that required a voice.

"Jularin's fucking pin," he whispered angrily.

"A remarkable observation. Now fuck off, you're going to ruin the mood."

"What mood?"

"The mood where vanity gets the best of her and we get a hint of truth."

Enovar rolled his eyes and went back into Syle's body. Somehow, she had missed the entire exchange.

Uralish kept his eyes on the Queen Dowager.

"That is a remarkable pin," he said.

She touched it. Pleased the way people were pleased when something they valued was noticed. "Yes. There is only one like it."

"Where did you come by it?"

A pause. "A gift," she said. "From a dear friend."

He looked at her. "When?"

She smiled. "I do not recall."

He held her eyes a minute longer.

Then he stood.

"Regent Uralish⁠—"

"You are under Alarnan authority,” he said. He said it the way he said most things, without raising his voice. "Princess Jularin of Alarna came to this house and has not been seen since. That is an Alarnan matter.”

She looked at him. Something moved behind her eyes that was not quite surprise and not quite fear. Closer to calculation. "You cannot simply⁠—"

The doors opened.

Eight Avanki walked in.

They moved through the room and took up positions and the Queen Dowager looked at them and then at Uralish and the calculation behind her eyes ran its course and arrived somewhere she did not like.

"This is outrageous," she said. Her voice was still even. He gave her credit for that.

"Yes," he said. "It is."

"Prince Colsar will hear about this."

"He will," Uralish said. "When I am ready to tell him."

She looked at him. "And when will that be?"

"When I know what happened to my sister."

The word sat in the room. He had not intended to say it. He said it anyway.

She said nothing after that. She stood and straightened her dress and walked out with the Avanki around her and her back straight and her hands folded and the pin at her temple catching the candlelight as she turned.

One of the Avanki fell back beside Uralish.