Lina’s eyes dropped to her hands. “It’s not that kind of marriage,” she said finally. “It’s business. Tem is a good person from a good family. He’ll make a good consort.”

“Because he’s rich?”

Lina cackled, a spark of her spirit coming back into her tired face. “Yes, but I’m ten times as wealthy. I’m not concerned with his gold.” She shook her head. “Our two families are stronger together. He pulls back into the fold the ones who’ve had your mother’s whispers in their ears.” Lina’s voice turned bitter as her gaze dipped to her feet. “Tem will convince the people that think I am too weak to be their ruler. The ones that think you are a better person to take the throne.”

“I don’t want your throne,” Bri growled, dropping her head in her hands. “I don’t know any other way to say it. The prophecy was that I would seize the crown from its sovereign . . . and I am about to enter in a competition in the East to seize a crown from its sovereign. How clearer can my intentions be?”

“I believe you. But whether I do or not, your presence here puts doubt in my sovereignty.” Lina clenched her hands together in her lap. “This is exactly what your mother wanted all these years. You, here, with your cavalier attitude and rugged good looks, the perfect swaggering royal to take the crown.”

Bri’s lips twisted up. “ ‘Rugged good looks’?”

“You know what I’m saying.” Lina scowled. “How could they not compare the two of us and find me lacking?”

“Then you clearly don’t see yourself the way that I see you.” Bri paused, hooking into Lina’s stare. “I’ve seen you wield that axe. You’re utterly fearsome.” Bri grinned at Lina’s begrudging smile. “And more than that, I’ve seen the way you hold court and address the needs of your people. Do you think Gedwin Norwood or Hennen Vostemur ever asked themselves such things? Even before the crown has been placed on your head, you are already ten times the ruler that they ever were.”

Lina considered Bri for a moment and said, “There’s still too much dissent amongst my people. I need the Wystron family as my allies.”

“That’s what you have councilors for,” Bri muttered. “You can have them as advisors. You don’t have to marry them.”

“Tem will be a good partner, like Saika is for Delta,” Lina insisted, glancing sideways at Bri. “Sorry, I knew you two were together at one point.”

“Is that how she phrased it?”