Instead of answering, he gets to his feet, digs a hand into his pocket, and pulls out a handful of scrolls. My eyes widen when they spill onto the table. “The monarchs have demanded that you answer for the death of Midas—that you stand trial at a royal Conflux. They claim…”
My heart crashes against my chest. “They claim what?”
He lets out a weary sigh. “They’re claiming that you stole Midas’s gold-touch. That you became jealous when he announced his betrothal to Queen Kaila, and you killed him in a fit of rage. And…that you’ve seduced me.”
My mouth parts in shock, ribs cracking with the force of my heartbeat. “And that…that’s what those letters are? A kind of summons?”
“Some of them.”
I swallow hard. “And the others?”
He hesitates.
“Slade.”
“We were just informed that our shipment of supplies never arrived. It was supposed to get to the outpost, enough for the army passing through and also to replenish Drollard, but it didn’t arrive. I looked into it, and it seems that the ships never came to port.”
My frown deepens as I try to understand what this has to do with what happened in Ranhold.
“What ships?”
Ryatt cuts in before Slade can answer, turning his body toward me. “What my brother is trying to say but doing a shitty job of, is that the other kingdoms are now sabotaging us for harboring you.”
My eyes go wide.
Slade shoots him a glare before he tries to explain. “Fourth Kingdom is mostly wetlands, swamps, and mining mountains. Outside of that…there’s the rot,” he says. “Partly used as a deterrent, partly because I have to expel the power. But that means that my kingdom doesn’t make for very good farming land. Other than fish, we have to import most of our food from trade agreements between the other kingdoms.”
He pauses.
“So the shipment…”
“It’s not coming, Gildy,” Judd tells me from his spot at the table. “The kingdoms are pissed off that Slade’s ignored their guidance and hasn’t shipped you off for the summons. This is their way of warning us.”
My eyes fly to Slade. “But what about Drollard?”
“We have reserves.”
“Yeah, but it’s not infinite,” Ryatt says.
“Not to mention the army,” Judd adds, running a hand over his mustard yellow hair. “They’ve been on the move for months now. Their supplies will be dangerously low as they pass into Fourth. Not good for morale.”
“Neither is an absent commander, and a king not in his kingdom,” Ryatt says pointedly.
“You need to get back,” I say aloud.
Slade looks at me stoically, as if he’s not carrying the weight of a kingdom on his shoulders. “We’ll go when you’re ready.”
He’s not returning because of me. Because I’ve been dragging my feet, too tentative to get a hold of myself and face the changes of my power, face the repercussions of my actions at Ranhold.
“I’m holding you up, Slade,” I tell him honestly. “You need to go back to Fourth Kingdom.”
Anger flashes across the sharp planes of his face. “You think I’d leave you behind? Not a fucking chance.”
“I don’t want to be left behind, but the other monarchs know I’m with you. Maybe it’s best if I do stay here.”
“No.”
I let out a sigh. “Slade—”
He presses a hand against the table. “It’s not happening. We’re not separating. Besides, I can better protect you back in my kingdom. It would also be best if I’m there, in case the other monarchs decide they want to retaliate with more than holding up an outpost shipment. But before we can go…”
I fill in his gaps. “I need to figure out my magic.”
He nods.
“Right, so she can possibly kill everyone in Drollard,” Ryatt mutters.
Slade opens his mouth to tear into him, but Digby beats him to it. “Don’t speak about my lady in that tone,” he grounds out.
Surprisingly, Ryatt actually looks a bit chastised before he covers it up with derision. “Shouldn’t you be in bed healing?”
“Watch your mouth,” Slade barks. “You will treat Auren’s guard with respect.”
Digby glares at him. “I don’t need your defense, boy,” he says to Slade before he turns back to Ryatt. “My leg and ribs are better,” Digby retorts. “I’m healed enough to kick your ass.”