The commander of Lara’s military—and one of my former lovers—entered my quarters. He was dressed in black—not because he was mourning but because he could not bring himself to wear the blue of Lara, nor the red of Revekka. Despite how my father’s betrayal had hurt him, he was not yet ready to embrace my kingdom even though he had fought at my side against Gesalac and the crimson mist.

“My queen,” he said and bowed.

“You shaved,” I said, surprised to see that his long beard was trimmed close to his skin. He had not shaved since he had started growing facial hair. I had never cared for his beard, but I thought that perhaps he kept it because his father had kept one too. I wondered if this was his way of distancing himself from the loyalty he had to King Henri.

“Y-yes,” he said and ran a hand over the back of his head. “I hoped for a moment of your time today.”

“By today, I’m assuming you mean now.”

His eyes shifted to Violeta and Vesna. “A moment…alone.”

Alone. The word straightened my spine and sent my heart racing. I did not wish to be alone with anyone but Adrian. At the same time, my chest tightened with guilt. Killian had helped me and was just as devastated by my father’s betrayal. But while I knew he was loyal to me, would he also be loyal to my husband?

“I am afraid I have no time this morning,” I said. “I must meet with Gavriel.”

Killian’s shoulders stiffened. “Why?”

The word tumbled out of his mouth unceremoniously.

“I have questions about Lara,” I said.

He was quiet for a moment, likely wishing to contain his initial reaction, but he did not need to because I knew how he felt. It was the same way I had felt any time he had minimized my concerns regarding Lara’s politics or defenses.

“Do you not trust me?” Killian asked.

“This has nothing to do with trust.”

“Then why not ask me?” he said.

“Because you are too close,” I said. “I need the truth.”

“Are you calling me a liar?” he asked.

I clenched my fist to keep from rolling my eyes. “No,” I said. “Unless you knew my father intended to kill me when he arrived here. Then I would call you a liar. Then I would call you a traitor.”

Killian paled, and when he spoke, his voice was a quiet rumble. It hinted at the pain I had caused with those few words. “You cannot think I would have let him hurt you.” When I did not speak, he continued. “If I had known his intentions, he would not have made it beyond the borders of Lara.”