He pauses for a moment, looking at the other advisors for help. Aria speaks up. “Your Majesty, while it appears we’ve ruled out the Velmarans assisting the rebels physically, we still cannot rule out the potential that they helped the rebels in other ways. They may have provided information about how to get in and out of the palace. Those passages out of the prison are a closely guarded secret amongst the Council.”

Carex looks at her gratefully. “Aria makes an excellent point, Your Majesty. They may have explored the palace under cover, then passed that information to the rebels.”

“And how do you suppose they would have contacted the rebels? Even our best spies haven’t uncovered their leaders or meeting places. You think the Velmarans have done better in a few weeks than our spies have done in years?” I ask, desperately hoping to redirect them away from the topic of how the rebels could have found out about those passages. It’s the only weakness in my plan, and I knew I’d need to be careful not to let them ask too many questions about it.

Aria considers my point carefully. “That’s true. That being said, we need to be cautious. With this and the prior attack on the palace, the rebels are growing bolder.”

“I too am concerned by these developments. I’m only trying to prevent further strikes,” Carex says softly. The guilt in my gut grows. He’s a good Captain, and this is going to weaken him politically with the other advisors. Regardless of who was behind it, the rebels breached the palace on his watch. Even if it was his own Queen who organized it.

“Carex, I will question the Velmarans, if that would assuage your concerns about their involvement,” I offer to make peace with him.

“They will lie. It’s a waste of time,” he scoffs.

Admon jumps in, voice soft and intense. “I believe Her Majesty means something a bit different when she refers to questioning them. She has exceptional power that can make people talk with the right… encouragement.” The idea that Admon is the one to explain that I’m offering to torture the Velmarans nearly makes me laugh at the stressful absurdity of this situation.

Carex’s eyes widen, and he looks at me with fear written across his features. Despite the decades that have passed since we were together, that fear still makes my heart sink with shame. It’s the real reason our relationship couldn’t go further than it did. At his core, Carex is afraid of me.

Carex nods, swallowing slowly. “Yes, Your Majesty, I think that would be prudent, if you believe it won’t hurt relations with the Velmarans too much if it turns out they are innocent.”