“It was closer than I would have liked. Directory President Maurisk has asked me to retire to the country for my own safety.”

“Which sounds like a fine idea,” Marcus said. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but—”

“I cannot leave the city,” Raesinia said. “Not now, in the midst of the crisis. And there’s the matter of discovering the identity of the bomber.”

“Surely you can leave that to the Patriot Guard?” There was a hint in Marcus’ voice that said he shared Raesinia’s low opinion of that force.

“At least some of the Patriot Guard must have been compromised, or the bomb could not have been planted. I need to discover how deep the corruption goes.” Raesinia looked him in the eye. “I’m asking for your help, Colonel.”

Marcus shifted uncomfortably when she mentioned his rank, clearly still unaccustomed to it. “You’re placing me in a very awkward position, Your Majesty. I have very clear instructions as to my mission here, and getting involved in politics is definitely not a part of it.”

“You won’t need to get involved, unless things go badly wrong,” Raesinia said.

“That’s not very reassuring,” Marcus said. “In my experience, things always go badly wrong eventually. It would be impossible to ensure your safety.”

Raesinia gritted her teeth. She was so, so sick of being treated like a fresh egg, to be wrapped in unspun wool and carried with bated breath. If I’d known being queen was going to be like this, I wouldn’t have worked so damned hard to get here.

“No one expects you to withstand a siege here,” she said. “But Sothe will maintain the illusion that I’m staying in the country, so my presence here should stay secret. That should be safe enough.”

“We’d never be able to keep the truth from my own guards,” Marcus said.

“I think we can count on their discretion.” Janus’ personal troops were from his home county, deep in the mountains. They were clannish, insular and suspicious of outsiders, and devoted to their beloved count. Janus had brought them to the capital specifically because it would be difficult for Concordat agents to infiltrate their ranks. “And all the servants are Mierantai as well?”

“Yes.” Marcus sighed. “I’m going to have to ask for instructions.”

“From Janus? That’ll take weeks.”

“We have . . . alternative channels,” Marcus said. “I should have an answer by the day after tomorrow.”

Raesinia glanced at Sothe, who gave a small nod. “It will take that long to make the preparations, Your Majesty.”

“All right.” Raesinia stood. “Until then, Colonel.”

Marcus shot to his feet as soon as she did, and answered her nod with a bow. His expression was that of a man who’d been handed a bomb with a hissing fuse. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

Chapter Three

WINTER