It had, at first, been a mistake for what lay under my hand was hard as steel and thus, far too affecting.

But at that point, True had set his tankard aside, curled the fingers of his freed hand around mine and held it there, so I did not pull away.

And at Baldrick’s remark, I twisted mine in order I could curl my fingers around his and give them a squeeze.

“I do not know,” True evaded.

“You’ve just been with her,” Baldrick pointed out.

“You know of Ophelia,” True replied. “If she is, she would not say. And you know of Serena, if you mentioned anything of the like, she’d slit your throat. You also know of Elena, if her mother is ill, she’d be doing something about it.”

“With Elena bound to Airen, if something happens to Ophelia—” Baldrick began.

“Much change is happening across Triton, Baldrick. We’ve made peaceful treaties with Firenze and Mar-el that will open great trade for the people of Wodell. And Gallienus feels it’s time for his son to have more responsibility. Cassius has much different sensibilities than his father, and this means good change will be happening in Airen as well.”

“This is promising news, True. Most especially the alliances forming between Wodell and Firenze,” Baldrick remarked, glancing briefly with an equally brief nod at me before he turned back to True. “But a Nadirii led by Serena would not be welcome to any land.”

“Ophelia is not blind to her daughter’s flaws, Baldrick.”

“She is also not old enough to leave this earth, but if she is ill…” He shook his head. “Even a witch as powerful as Ophelia does not have power over all. And she cannot see all, including the future. Anything can befall anyone at any time. The only hope was that Elena would be heralded the successor, but now she is to be Queen of Airen, of all places.”

“I have a good rapport with Ophelia. The same with Elena. And in truth, I am one of the few who has such with Serena,” True told him.

“You are not yet ruler of our land, my prince,” Baldrick retorted. “Which brings us to Carrington.”

I stiffened at mention of King Wilmer’s advisor who did not have Wodell’s best interests at heart, nor his king’s. Indeed, it was unknown what his interests were, except they were not good.

True squeezed my hand reassuringly.

“You speak of treaties, but there are whisperings across Wodell of more campaigns,” Baldrick finished.

“This will not happen,” True told him inflexibly.

Baldrick’s expression grew kind. “I want to believe you, True, but your peoples have lived under a capricious king for some time.”

“It will not happen, Baldrick,” True repeated, and this time it was steely.

Baldrick grew silent.

I sat silent as well, half concerned about the topic, half marveling at how openly True discussed such matters with his subjects.