“We can talk about that later,” Dax cut in, placing an arm on the back of Barrett’s chair. “Tell us what’s happening tonight.”
The air in the room thickened. Beside Tolek, Cyph picked nervously at his food.
“It’s a four-pronged plan,” I explained. “Cypherion will be in the fighting den with Tolek and Lyria supporting him. You three will be entertaining Titus while Malakai and Mila sneak into the manor to find Vale using Harlen’s careful plans of the building, and my team will be in the catacombs, hunting for Valyrie’s emblem. If all goes to plan, we’ll retrieve both Vale and the token tonight and be gone before the morning. You can continue on your tour of the city with the chancellor and play completely innocent.”
“Innocence—such a ruse.” Barrett sighed heavily. “It’s a wonderful thing I’m a good actor.”
“Are you, Bare?” Celissia quipped with her arms crossed. “I don’t seem to recall that.”
“You wouldn’t, dear,” Barrett said, smirking. “My best performances are in the privacy of?—”
With the arm wrapped around his chair, Dax covered the prince’s mouth before he could finish that sentence, but laugher burst along the table. “Some things are okay not to share,” the Engrossian General muttered.
“Are you stifling your king?” Barrett argued, words still caught behind Dax’s hand.
“Someone has to,” Malakai said.
“Treason!” Barrett blurted.
“Can it be treason if I’m not pledged to the Engrossians?” Malakai asked. A smirk played around the corner of his lips. Seeing him tease Barrett warmed the cold tattoo beneath my elbow. He seemed a bit like his old self—lighter in a sense.
Unfortunately, it was a weightlessness the prince didn’t seem to hold. As everyone slipped into discussion of the night’s details, I tapped Barrett on the shoulder and nodded toward the other room.
He followed me along the bar and into a small alcove lined with a thick brocade rug worn with holes. Dim lanterns hung from the ceiling, lit with candles and bearing sticks to burn incense.
“How are you?” I whispered, letting the clamor of voices from the other room mask my worry.
Barrett waved off my question. “Fine, as always.”
“Are you okay with this plan?”
“Of course I am,” he swore. “We need to get Vale back.”
“You agreed so quickly, though, when you already have so much to worry about in your territory. Are you certain?”
“I promise. We don’t want to be anywhere else.” His throat bobbed on a swallow. He peeked back around the corner, and when he faced me again, his eyes were darker than their usualglinting green. “But there is a part of me that’s wondering if this plan is a bit reckless, even for my liking.”
“How so?” I asked, not entirely disagreeing.
“We’re the rulers of the major clans, Ophelia. We shouldn’t be wandering into catacombs and breaking into manors.”
“You’re fairly invited to that dinner,” I reminded him.
“You know what I mean.”
I nodded. I did understand his fear, but it wasn’t one I could give in to, so I tried Barrett’s joking tactic. “Are you saying you can’t protect yourself, Prince?”
“Please,” he scoffed. “I know you can as well. And I learned in my time in Damenal that you aren’t likely to remain back in the palace while others risk their lives, but perhaps we both have to start considering that alternative.”
“I may be the Revered, but I will never rule from an ivory tower.” I dropped my voice as a playful disagreement rose from the dining room. “And I know that’s not in your nature either, Barrett. Not the prince who fled his home and allied with his enemy to save his people. So, what is this truly about?”
Barrett pursed his lips. “I’m concerned about my clan. A tour is one thing, but I can’t be seen adventuring all over the continent making reckless decisions if I’m hoping to sway them to let me retain my title.”
A longing ache went through my chest at his distress.
“How bad is it?” I’d heard from Malakai about the debates Barrett had been facing, but not from the prince himself.
“It’s bad, Ophelia.” His confession was barely a whisper. He leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets. “I hold the palace, sure, and the few loyal council members, but none of that means anything. I need something to prove myself from this tour.”
