“So, what did you want to talk about?” Ayanna ventured. “I’m sure you didn’t bring me out here just to look at flowers.”

“Well, I thought it would be nice to get to know you. I’m sure we’ll correspond over the years, even if we don’t meet again.”

“Is . . . are you planning not to meet again?”

“It’s unlikely.” I ignored her shaky breath of relief. “But tell me about yourself. How did you meet Etan?”

She smiled, thinking back. “My parents introduced us. I was sick for Hadrian’s wedding, so I missed meeting you, watching His Majesty win the tournament, and seeing him come back with an army. After everything was settled and I was well again, we went to Chetwin to pay tribute and pledge our loyalty. I’ve been at the castle ever since, so we get to spend a lot of time together.” She added a shy little shrug. “How did you meet His Majesty?”

I giggled. “Oh, it was here in the Great Hall. He insulted me, and I gave it right back. We were off to a fantastic start.”

She laughed. “Really? I’ve never heard Etan insult anyone.”

I rolled my eyes. “Lucky you. It seems we communicate in irritating one another.”

Ayanna stopped, dropping my arm. “Then how is it . . . why do you seem so happy when you’re in the same room?”

I was confident I was blushing, but I still went to deny it. “He’s like family. I married his—”

She cut me off. “No, I know the whole story. But he’s been smiling to himself for a week. And in that room, he’d reach for something just to touch your hand. So, if you two live to argue with each other, why does it seem like . . .” She couldn’t bring herself to finish. “I’m strong enough to take it, you know. I can resolve myself to losing him; I just need someone to tell me the truth.”

So here it was, one of many moments I’d been dreading. I wanted to tell her to stop fighting for him, that if it came down to it, I’d win every time. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t fight for Etan or waste my time hating her.

Ayanna was the only one who could take care of him in my place, so my sole choice was to be honest and to love her through it. I had to be her champion.

I took her by both arms. “The truth is, he means the world to me. I won’t be so cruel as to lie to you. But he has to come in second place to Coroa. I took vows to serve Coroa, and I cannot leave my throne. Much like Etan, there’s no one left to take it. So, you needn’t fear. I am here, and he is there, and after this trip, you will most likely never see my face again.”

She looked down and then out to the garden. The blooms were still hanging on, but fall was upon us. Soon, everything here would go to sleep.