“The difficulty is what we were talking of earlier.” Mikeli set his elbows on the table and tented his fingers. “The Council and I have been looking into the bloodlines of all the great families and most minor ones. All have a magelord background; latent magery could be in any of them. We know it’s in ours because of Beclan. It’s likely that Celbrin never knew it and may not be able to manifest it herself. So marrying away from magelord bloodlines would be a good idea.”

“You could marry someone not from the peerage,” Camwyn said.

“Except that many such families also have a blood connection to the mageborn. We suspect it cropped out in Beclan—strong enough to be triggered by his ordeal—as a result of minor influences from both sides. That’s another thing you must not speak of.”

“I won’t … So you think even you and I might have some?”

“That’s not something I’m going to admit even to you, Cam, and you would be wise never to mention the possibility. We still have enemies; we think most of the Verrakaien traitors are gone, but we’re not sure. At any rate, there’s a reason to consider marrying outside this realm. Marrying into Kostandan joins the Seafolk and ourselves and might ensure lasting peace in the north, something we certainly want.”

Camwyn nodded. “We want peace, I know. But if war comes, like that new ruler in Aarenis I’ve heard about?”

“Then perhaps an ally.” Mikeli sighed. “But I could wish she had not set on our cousin first. He has seen that before. And I do not want a queen who is no more than a flirt.”

“You think this princess is?”

“I don’t know,” Mikeli admitted. “Not for certain. But both Duke Verrakai and Kieri say she was clearly putting herself forward to Rothlin. If she was using my cousin just to get closer to me, that’s not the right kind of woman to be queen.”

“She’s not the right kind of woman for Rothlin, either,” Camwyn said.

“No, but that’s his choice, his and his father’s. If she stayed at Falk’s Hall and got her ruby, that would prove something of her character. But if I tell her father that I will only consider her if she is knighted—what if then I do not choose her? It would be considered an insult, and that would not be good at all.”

“So—”

“So I must think how to say ‘Not quite yet’ while I find out more about her. The Knight-Commander of Falk’s Hall will not tattle to me but might share something with Kieri, who might then think to mention it to Duke Verrakai, who might share it with her king.”

“That’s not tattling?”