“Your Majesty,” I greeted him. King Quinten looked up, realizing I was the one addressing him. I had a difficult time just looking at him, watching him enjoy sport while so many were gone at his hands. Did it not plague him? Did it not keep him awake at night? I took a breath and launched into my practiced lines. “I wanted to take an opportunity to apologize for last night. I was nervous and may have spoken out of turn. I’m very sorry, and I wanted to thank you for welcoming me—and my family—into your home.”

He eyed me curiously. “Not a terrible idea about the land,” he said, though it was clear the words tasted like vinegar in his mouth. “You’re quite attached to being a clever thing, aren’t you?”

“I’ve found it unwise to be attached to anything these days, Your Majesty.”

He gave a lone chuckle. “In your case, I couldn’t agree more.”

My blood started to boil at his casual attitude. I supposed my fractured heart was of little consequence to anyone else in the world, but seeing as he was the cause of it, he could at least have the courtesy of keeping his disgustingly crusty mouth shut about it.

“All the same, I’m talking to my men. I should have been in the Coroan history books long before now. I’m already mentioned in Great Perine’s and Catal’s. There’s still time for more.” He waved me away.

I curtsied, thinking and feeling too many things, and then turned to face Valentina. “For your brow, Your Majesty. You look warm.”

She took it graciously and I retreated without another word, afraid to look back and see if she found the note.

“Nicely done,” Mother said when I got back to our seats.

“I’m shaking.”

“It will be fine,” she assured me.

“It’s not just that . . . it’s Quinten.” I swallowed, trying to slow my heart. “I don’t want to waste my life hating someone, but it’s almost like he welcomes it. He’d rather be known for being wicked than never be known at all.”

She wrapped an arm around me. “If I have anything to do with it, a day will come when you won’t have to remember his name, period. None of us will.”

I placed my head on her shoulder for a moment, allowing myself to be held. I had to believe that if Quinten could speak so callously to the victims of his crimes, he had to be careless enough to leave proof somewhere. Somehow, we would find it. We’d find it, the people would rally behind Uncle Reid, and we would make things right for Isolte.

As the tournament went on, I was hardly able to keep up with what was happening in front of me. When the crowd applauded, I joined in. When they gasped, I followed suit. Everything was explosive and quick, and my mind was dizzy simply from trying to sit still and watch.

I’d been too distracted to notice the rider who had stopped just in front of us, and I was thankful that I managed not to scream when I turned to find a lance before my face. When it didn’t move, I realized he was waiting for my favor.