We all sit quietly for a moment, unsure of what to say. Fionn surprises me when he takes Laurel’s hand and squeezes it, before adding, “We all did what we could, Your Majesty. Even more would have died if Silene and I hadn’t been there. And we were only there because you’re doing everything you can to stop this violence. You shouldn’t blame yourself, like I can see you’re doing.” I think I see her wipe a tear away quickly, but she hides the movement so well I can’t be sure.

“Yes, well,” she says. “Thorne has agreed to convince the rebels to stop attacking citizens. To focus their efforts on the palace and on me.”

“And that is why we need to train,” I add before Fionn and Silene can object to the plan. I may not agree with it, but I feel the need to defend her now that we’re with others. “What are you two up to today?” I ask them.

“We have a few sub-committee meetings this morning,” Silene answers cheerily. Only she could get excited by the endless bureaucracy of the Thayarian government. “We don’t have any plans for the afternoon, but, well, we thought…” she trails off, looking to Fionn.

“We thought we might go down to the merchant district and help however we can. Move families out of destroyed homes, clear rubble, whatever needs to be done,” Fionn finishes for her.

Laurel swallows. I want to reach for her, but I don’t. “That’s very kind,” she says softly. “I’m sure they can use all the extra hands. But… when will you contact the rebels next? Have you agreed to any future meetings?”

“We can stop by the granary and see if there are any messages for us. The rebels were going into safe houses at the end of the attacks. They may be quiet for a few more days before we hear from them,” Silene answers kindly, keenly aware that Laurel is clearly struggling to wait for the next meeting. Laurel only nods and downs her tea.

When we finish breakfast, I go to grab the two cloaks I wore yesterday to keep warm in the frigid northern air, but Laurel stops me. “We can use the training room here today,” she says. “It’s getting too cold to go elsewhere. I think with the magic we’re practicing, I should be okay to stay here.” I hang the cloaks back on their hooks by the door, secretly relieved not to spend the next several hours freezing my ass off. “We can also walk there, if you like,” she adds.

I give her a wide grin. “You are willing to be seen in public with the likes of me?”

“The palace is hardly public,” she retorts. “But yes, I think we can be seen walking the halls of the palace together. Plus, there’s something I want to show you.”