The Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani (story reading .TXT) 📕

served Alyrra a short time now. What will Kestrin demand of me to ensure his secret?

There is only one thing I can think of that would ease his concern, and there is no way I am telling him of Niya’s talent. It might be a secret of equal weight, one that will assure mutual silence, but it will also put Niya in the prince’s power. And princes use the tools at their disposal. Maybe not immediately, but no doubt eventually, Niya would get pulled in to do his bidding.

I’m not giving Niya up, and I won’t let Filadon do so either. Because this is what he meant—not my family’s lives, but Niya’s. Unless it’s already too late. “You haven’t told him about Niya, have you?” I demand abruptly.

“I have been trying to come up with some leverage to give the prince. I can think of nothing else.”

“No.”

Filadon sighs. “Rae, he will not move against your sister because then you would move against him. It’s a perfect balance.”

“I said, no. What hold does he have on you? Why does he trust you?”

“We’ve known each other since childhood. When I promised my silence, he believed it. And he needed me. I was useful to him.” Filadon shrugs philosophically. “Still am. Also, it helps, I think, that I look for neither reward nor an increase in rank from him.”

“I don’t want those things either,” I say sharply. “I’m useful to Alyrra, and I’m your kin. Surely he can trust in that?”

“You’re Ramella’s kin.”

“I see. You mean for everything else, that’s enough. But for this, it isn’t.”

“Rae, this is—perhaps you don’t realize what could happen if it were known.”

“Oh, I realize,” I say, looking out at the fountains again: three pools, each nested within the other, so that they overflow from the smallest to the next to the largest, a small movement leading to greater and greater repercussions. I have the sudden nearly uncontrollable urge to dash past Filadon, gather my things, and leave all of this behind. Only some things can’t be left behind. And I cannot leave while Kirrana is missing.

“There’s no need to look so hunted, Rae. We’ll find a way to keep the balance.”

I stare at him. “Do you know what I watched transpire this morning? I saw a man be removed from a royal succession and his throne given to a spare heir in a quiet conversation that played out before breakfast, without him even being present. Do you have any idea what our prince and princess are capable of?”

“You’re afraid of them.”

“Only a fool wouldn’t be! I respect Alyrra—and Kestrin. I will be loyal to them, but for God’s sake, Filadon, that whole family is terrifying.”

And then there are the mages, who are meant to stand for our protection, and yet are connected to the snatchers. And I’ve been so busy between them and Berenworth, I haven’t even looked to see if the Speakers might be involved. There is literally no one left to trust except myself and a thief. At this rate, Bren likely has some terrible secret he’s hiding, since everyone else seems to.

“This morning was not exactly palace life as usual, Rae. But it’s been a long time coming. I understand the princess has a number of scars. You must have seen them while attending her.”

“Yes,” I say, the word short and hard.

Filadon nods. “Those were by and large inflicted by her brother. What you witnessed was both necessary and long overdue.”

“I’m not saying what Alyrra did wasn’t necessary. But that wasn’t some private family dispute. A crown changed hands.”

“I know,” Filadon says.

“And now you’re saying you’re going to put my sister’s life in Kestrin’s hands, because you don’t know what else to do.” The thought terrifies me.

“Rae—”

“The answer is no. You may tell Kestrin you have one hold on me, and if you give it to him I will not only despise you the rest of your days, but I will hate him, and I will not rest until I have made sure that he cannot use that hold against Niya. Or, or, he can accept that I am deeply loyal to the princess and the royal family as a whole, that I respect him and value your counsel, and I have pledged to keep his secret. It’s his choice, and yours. He can send me home tomorrow and never allow me near the king’s city again, and I won’t care. But he can’t have Niya.”

Filadon makes to speak, but I cut him off.

“So help me, Filadon, if you betray Niya to him, I will get all my family away, and I will make sure Melly knows exactly why we had to flee our own home.”

Filadon’s jaw tenses. Melly is the one thing he could truly lose through betraying Niya, and he knows it as well as I.

“I was wrong, Rae. You have learned to politick.”

“No. I’ve always known how to protect Niya. It’s what I’ve grown up doing. I may not be able to manage any of the rest of this, but Niya I will keep safe. And I will do the same for the prince.” I meet Filadon’s eyes, knowing he needs this from me. “His secret is the same; he will be equally destroyed if he is found out. I would no more do that to him than I would to Niya. I will keep his secret, Filadon. All you have to do is convince him of it without risking Niya. You know politics. Surely you can find a way.”

Filadon looks away, his gaze absently moving over the furniture: a maroon-and-gold sofa set, maroon-and-black carpets underfoot highlighted with cream. I’ve almost gotten used to the absurd wealth on display in every room of the palace.

“I will try,” he says finally. “Perhaps just the knowledge that there is a hold that can be had on you, one that you would fight so desperately to protect, will be enough for him. He doesn’t want your enmity, Rae. If I’m not mistaken, he’s grateful