He started to rise, but Kiva pulled him back down.
“I didn’t say that so we’d leave immediately,” she said. “I have more to tell you.”
Both Zuleeka and Torell straightened, giving her their full attention.
“I —” Kiva started, but for some reason, she had trouble continuing.
“Don’t rush, we have all day,” Zuleeka drawled.
Tor shot her a look, then said to Kiva, “Take your time. Gather your thoughts.”
At his encouragement, Kiva decided to jump straight in. “The throne can’t be taken by force.”
“What makes you say that?” Zuleeka asked, her gaze sharp.
“I don’t know how many rebels there are, but it won’t make a difference — the palace is too defensible,” Kiva said. She made a split second decision not to mention the secret tunnel entrance, since it wasn’t as if they could sneak the entire rebel force through without gaining attention. Or that was what she tried to tell herself, if only to lessen her guilt. “Even if you managed to overcome the Royal Guard, the armies would be recalled, and they’d just take the throne right back again.”
“I assume you meant to say ‘we,’” Zuleeka said dryly.
Kiva ignored her and went on, “The only way to truly take and keep the crown is through legitimacy. The citizens of Evalon won’t accept you — us — unless they’re given a reason that can’t be ignored. Something lawful, something just. Either that, or willful public abdication by the Vallentis family. But we all know that’s never going to happen.”
“Lawful and just,” Zuleeka repeated thoughtfully. Dark amusement lit her features as she asked, “How do you feel about marrying a prince, little sister? Is that legitimate enough for you?”
Kiva jerked backwards in her seat, her reaction just as violent as when Councilwoman Zerra had asked Jaren about his intentions. But it wasn’t the thought of marrying him that was so appalling — no, it was the thought of betraying him so thoroughly.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Torell snapped at Zuleeka, to Kiva’s relief. “We’re not forcing our sister to marry anyone. That’s not happening.” When Zuleeka raised her hands in surrender, Tor told Kiva, “Our numbers are strong, but you’re right — we’ll never win the kingdom by a show of force. And frankly, I don’t think we’d deserve it if we did.”
Zuleeka tapped a fingernail against her mug. “It seems we have a new task for you, little sister. Find us a legitimate way to take the throne, something that will make Evalon accept us as their new rulers without contention.”
“Oh, is that all?” Kiva asked with clear sarcasm.
“It’s either that, or you find us a way to bring those royal bastards to their knees,” Zuleeka stated. “I have to admit, it’d be satisfying to see them abdicate of their own volition.”
“They’re not all bad,” Kiva said, the words slipping from her before she could stop them.
Tor didn’t react, but Zuleeka’s face turned stony.
“You need to choose, Kiva,” she said in a low voice. “You can’t claim to be on our side while staring longingly at your precious prince. It’s him or us. Them or us. You can’t have it both ways.”
Kiva’s insides twisted because Zuleeka was right: she couldn’t keep going as she was, scheming with the rebels while sympathizing with the royals.
And yet . . . Zuleeka was also wrong. Because ten years ago, the decision had been made for her. The choice was no longer her own — it never had been.
She would put her family first.
Just as she always had.
“There’s something else I need to tell you,” Kiva said, shifting in her seat. “I managed to spy on a Royal Council meeting.”
Torell stilled at her side, and the anger vanished from Zuleeka’s face.
“They spoke for hours, mostly about day-to-day kingdom business, but there were a few things that seemed important.” She paused. “Something’s happening with Mirraven, and it’s got them worried.”
“Mirraven has been threatening to invade since before we were born,” Torell said dismissively. “They’ve never managed it before, they won’t now.”
“Not without help,” Zuleeka said.
“Caramor is with them,” Kiva shared. “As allies, but soon by marriage, too.”
“I heard about that — Princess Serafine and Prince Voshell.” Zuleeka snickered. “What a match.” Before Kiva could ask why that was funny, her sister went on, “How is any of this relevant to us?”