“And yet…you were always so frosty to me,” I said, mystified. “Delaney has always acted like she downright hated me.”
“Dee takes a while to come around. She’s very protective of Nyfain. But I…didn’t know what the future held. I didn’t want to influence any of your future decisions.”
“And what decisions are those?” Nyfain asked.
“First…” She held up a hand. “You should know two things. Micah’s suspicion of me is not unfounded. I moved into his village on purpose because he was such a powerful alpha. I kept my eye on him to ensure he didn’t abuse that power. My history in this kingdom should tell you why. I’m sure he always felt my eyes on his back. His attachment to Finley—”
Nyfain squeezed me and ran his teeth along my neck, scraping across his mark. His power pulsed. It rolled through me, deliciously wild, and I shuddered and leaned harder into him.
“Sorry,” Arleth murmured. “I forget that the imprint bond is so new. I avoided the court dragons in the village for the same reason I sent Gunduin into the everlass house earlier today, Finley. I know how the people respond to me. I knew Tamara would’ve resumed her old post with barely a word from me, and the others with her. She knew the abuse I endured, and she would not fault me for leaving. They all knew. If I had showed myself in the villages, I would’ve stolen focus from you, Finley, and no matter what I said, I would’ve divided your army as I am starting to divide the kingdom now.
“I am so tired of being the one who ruins. I’d like a chance to restore this kingdom instead. I know you suspected I coveted the crown for myself, but honestly, it couldn’t be farther from the truth. I gave it up. I do not want it.”
Silence fell again, and I didn’t know where to go from there. I believed her, every last word, and didn’t think she deserved the guilt she’d heaped on her own shoulders. The king had seduced her with riches and a luxurious life…and then trapped her in an impossible situation. What choices had she had? Her lies and deceit had made the difference between life and death for her child. I imagined any mother would do the same.
On the other hand, given she didn’t want to continue to divide the kingdom, my job here was done. This was no longer any of my business. It was now officially a matter between mother and son. I could do nothing but quietly support Nyfain and lend an ear and an opinion when asked.
I did have one question, though.
“You have a huge library. Why didn’t you poison the bastard?” I furrowed my brow. “Crowded everlass would be too risky, given your vocation, but I can think of three poisons right off the top of my head that I’d use. And I only had one book about trees with information about poison in the notations! I’m sure there were a dozen poisonous solutions to your problem. Feed him a muffin, stop his heart. Ta-da! Then, after he died, your son would be king, governed by you, protected by his actual father and now commander, and Bob’s your uncle. It sounds like no one would’ve missed that mad bastard if you’d kept the status quo and made changes slowly.” My mind started turning. “Actually, I should learn more about poisons. What if we go to a dinner with Dolion or some other idiot who tries to poison our meals? I’ll need to know what might work its way into our food and have ingredients ready for antidotes, just in case.”
As I thought of the section of the library I’d need to hit, I realized silence hung around us. Arleth was staring at me with widened eyes.
“What? Am I being insensitive?” I grimaced. “Or do you think I’m nuts? Because someone poisoning our meals is a very real concern. It’s a great way to off someone, and if they’re good at it, no one will be able to pin it on them.”
Nyfain started to laugh, hugging me closer. “It is safe to say, Mother, that I will never live to see the day when madness overcomes me. Finley will kill me long before that.”
“I…” Arleth continued to stare. “I’m at a loss for words.” She started to laugh. “What a very different upbringing we’ve had, Finley. I think the other kingdoms won’t know what to do with you. So beautiful. So fierce. Mildly terrifying…”
“She’ll be hard to kill,” Nyfain said.
“Yes, she will. Once she learns her way around a court, that is. She will need to know the protocol of formal dining, for a start.”
“Add it to the list,” I murmured. It was becoming a long list.
Nyfain turned solemn. “Where does this leave us, Mom? You indirectly told servants that I am not the rightful heir. Why would you do that in front of them if not to force my hand somehow?”