“I have upsetting news to share today,” I tell them, my voice steady. I feel them lean in with interest, and I scan every single advisor, looking for the smallest sign that something’s amiss. My eyes meet Carex’s gaze, who seems to hang on my every word. “I’ve discovered evidence that suggests Nemesia is working with the Sons and Daughters of Thayaria.” Dozens of eyes stare at me with nothing but shock and disbelief. Murmurs break out, but I silence them with a raised hand. “The leader of the rebellion had in his possession a letter in her handwriting and with her signature,” I continue. “She passed him information she discovered in Velmara.”

“Your Majesty,” Carex interrupts, and I bristle. “I mean no disrespect, but how did you uncover this letter? Our spies couldn’t uncover the identity of the leader, much less his or her location.” Maybe it’s because he interrupted me, or maybe it’s because he’s been irritating me lately, but I narrow my eyes in anger before speaking with dangerous calm.

“Spies that I will remind you were hand selected and trained by Nemesia herself before she turned them over to you in her absence.” The murmuring in the room breaks out again.

Carex only bows his head slightly. “Of course. But then, how did you find this?” I steel myself for what I’m about to tell them.

“I’ve been working in secret with the Velmarans,” I admit, and chaos erupts in the Council chamber. All the advisors are speaking at once, some to me, some to each other. They’re shocked, angry, and uncertain. But none of them display anything I wouldn’t have expected except Admon, who doesn’t seem surprised in the least, though I suspect that’s because of what I told him about Thorne and me yesterday. I simply sit in silence until they quiet again. “I suspected a mole on this Council,” I disclose. “Nemesia herself brought the accusation to me and advised me not to disclose any sensitive information while she was gone. It was a convenient way to ensure I didn’t uncover that in her absence, there were no leaks. I’m deeply sorry for my suspicion of all of you.” Dozens of angry eyes glare at me, and I know I’ve broken trust with many of them. I’ll have to deal with those consequences later.

“Your Majesty, you acted in the best interest of Thayaria with the information you had,” Admon offers, though I know it won’t undo the damage I’ve done by lying. I give him a thankful smile anyway.

“The Velmarans were approached by the rebels and brought that information to me. They offered to pretend to seek an alliance with the rebellion in order to discover their leadership and movements. They were successful,” I explain.