“I wouldn’t miss it. My parents are here as well. We decided to have our family dinner here instead of at their home.”

“That’s wonderful. Please, tell them Happy Solstice from me,” I say, then turn to make a plate, but his arm reaches out, halting me.

“Laurel, can I speak with you for a moment?” I look down at his hand wrapped around my wrist, gripping tightly. He removes it quickly. “Sorry,” he mutters. “Please, can we speak privately? Just over in that corner.” I nod and follow him there. “Laurel, I know you’ve been spending more time with the Velmarans. The Prince especially. My Royal Guards reported you spent an entire day with him in the training room the day after the attack.”

I’m shocked at the boldness of his statement, surprise quickly turning to anger. “Excuse me? May I remind you they are my Royal Guards, as I am the titular royal. You are simply their Captain, who serves at my pleasure. And who I spend my time with is none of your concern. What concerns me, however, is that you appear to be spying on your Queen. Receiving reports about me.”

Carex blanches, and he stammers his apologies. “Please, forgive me, Your Majesty. It was a series of poorly chosen words. It’s only that the guards informed me, as they were concerned for your safety. I assure you I’m not having you watched.” I study him closely, suspicion building. He now has access to Nemesia’s network of spies and informants. And he campaigned fiercely to be sent to Delsar for the Forum of Royals. Our relationship gave him access to many of the inner workings of the government, decades before he was an official advisor on my Council. Could he be the mole? “I wanted to speak with you because I need to share critical information,” he continues. “I’ve been trying to get a meeting scheduled with you since the day of the attack, but you’ve been busy helping prepare the palace. The guards who went to the thayar tower that day described seeing a fae who matches the description of Prince Hawthorne. It was a brief glimpse, as if light shielding failed for just a moment. I think he was there during the attack and is working with the rebels. We need to question him.” Carex’s eyes bore into me, concern and something else lingering in them.