“What is it, Your Highness?” Bayar said, leaning forward and reaching for the letter. “Perhaps we could shed some perspective on—”

“Here, Lord Bayar,” Raisa said, thrusting the page toward him. “Why don’t you read it aloud for the council?” She sat back, arms folded, gripping her elbows to either side.

Bayar scanned the page quickly, then looked up at Raisa as if seeking clues as to how she might respond.

Clearing his throat, he bent his head over the paper and began to read.

C H A P T E R  T W E N T Y - E I G H T

LOVE LETTER
FROM ARDEN

To Her Majesty Queen Raisa of the Fells,

I write in the fervent hope that this finds you well and to offer congratulations on your imminent coronation.

Please also accept my condolences on the sudden and yet remarkably timely death of your mother, Queen Marianna. It is well known that relations between the two of you have been strained of late. Her accident, while unfortunate, has cleared a major obstacle from your path. It appears that you, like me, do not hesitate to shape events to your advantage. This only reinforces my notion that we are natural allies and could be more than that.

“Blood of the demon!” Averill swore.

Clearly, this was not a message intended to be read aloud in company.

Or perhaps it was.

Han watched Raisa’s face. It retained its stonelike quality, stamped with a faintly interested expression. He could tell that she was watching all the other faces in the room.

“Daughter,” Averill said. “You should not entertain this kind of slander. The notion that you would have had anything to do with your mother’s death is ludicrous.”

“And yet many suspect me,” Raisa said. “Especially outside of the Fells.” She gestured to Bayar. “Go on.”

It will take some time to reestablish order in Tamron and rid the kingdom of spies and traitorous elements. The abuses and excesses of the recent king have stoked the fires of rebellion among both nobles and commons. They must understand that those days are over. Indeed, the former prince and princess are at risk of assassination by their own people. You will be glad to know that I am keeping them well secured within my keep.

The current confusion does, I believe, present an opportunity for us to expand our holdings. My brother, Prince Geoff, continues to lay claim to the kingdom of Arden. He has reinforced his borders with Tamron and brought his army west to meet any threat from us. This leaves his northern borders lightly garrisoned and unprotected.

I understand that the Fells maintains a standing army of more than five thousand horse and foot soldiers.

Bayar looked up from the letter. “Remarkably accurate count, wouldn’t you say?”

“Remarkable,” Raisa murmured.

Bayar resumed reading.

I propose the following, the details of which are to be negotiated by our representatives: