“To the queen!” Seregil raised his cup unsteadily and the others joined in the toast.

Reltheus stood and held out a hand to him. “I need some air and you look like you could do with some, as well. Come take a turn in the garden with me.”

Seregil wavered to his feet, still playing half inebriated, and took Reltheus’s arm. “Just the thing!”

The rain had stopped and a light fog had risen from the harbor, pleasant against the skin.

“I must say, it’s been a delight getting to know you, my friend,” Reltheus said warmly, patting the hand on his arm. “For all your reputation, I believe there’s more to you than you let on.”

Seregil schooled his expression to a tipsy grin, wondering if Reltheus meant to slit his throat here in the darkness. “I hardly think so. As I’ve often said, most of what you hear about me is true.”

“But I’ve heard a great deal, and not all of it scandalous. You were an important envoy in Aurënen, it’s said, threading the complicated politics of that country.”

Seregil relaxed slightly. “I was glad to be useful to Skala. I love my adopted homeland very much.”

“And you wouldn’t see it come to harm.”

“Of course not.”

“Then I may have a way for you to forestall that.”

Seregil stopped in the light of a garden lantern and looked up at him. “Me? How?”

“Oh, just a little thing,” Reltheus assured him. “As it happens, I have reason to believe that your friend Duke Malthus may be one of those wanting to put Klia on the throne in Elani’s place. I fear he might even be planning to assassinate Phoria and the girl. And I think our friend General Sarien may be in on the plot, as well.”

Seregil gave him a horrified look. “That can’t be!”

“I do hope for their sakes that I’m wrong, but I’m trying to find out for certain before I go to the vicegerent. And I think you can help me in that. You socialize with Malthus frequently. Has he ever said anything to you that would make you think he’s unsympathetic to Elani as heir?”

“Never! Do you think it’s really possible?”

“Yes, I do. If you could keep your ears open, even sound him out a bit, it would be a great service to Skala, the queen, and Elani, of course. I couldn’t bear to see that girl come to harm.”

I’m sure you couldn’t, thought Seregil, although the man did sound genuinely concerned. After what Elani had told Alec about her feelings for Danos, Seregil was anxious to see her around Danos, to see if there was any real affection on the young man’s side, or just a dutiful son following his father’s wishes—or a mercenary desire to share the royal dais.