Helen stares at me, her expression not giving much away. “Families?”
The word just slipped out. No taking it back now. Rather than backpedal like a fool, I hold out my hand and show her the large, square emerald flashing on my finger. “I’m betrothed to Beta Sinta.” Not that I’m telling Griffin that.
Helen’s jaw slackens, her reaction more marked this time. “He’s a southern Sintan Hoi Polloi. You have ichor in your veins. Olympian blood. Titan blood. He’s so far beneath you, you’ll have to squint to see him.”
I shake my head. “He’s so far above me, I’ll get a neck ache looking up to him.”
Helen looks at me oddly, like I just stripped down to muscle and bone and donned a new skin—one she likes much better. She glances toward the carriage. Her baby started crying, and Oreste takes the boy from his mother, Urania, and rocks him. There’s something innately shielding and tender in the curve of his body as he tucks the infant against his chest.
“He adores you, doesn’t he?” I ask. “You’re safe.”
Helen turns back to me, and I see her swallow. “I always wanted you to be happy. You and Eleni.”
“Eleni never got the chance.” I can’t keep the bitterness from my voice. And, apparently, the guilt.
My cousin reaches out and grips my wrist. Despite growing up in the same household, I think it’s the first time we’ve touched. “It wasn’t your fault.”
I shrug. My next breath leaves me empty. “Maybe not, but there are infinite things a person can do differently in the space of just a few seconds.”
Helen nods. She knows that, too.
“Go,” I urge when the baby’s cries turn into wails. “He’s probably hungry.”
Helen looks over again but doesn’t move. “What are you doing, Talia? You’re a queen, not a Beta’s wife. Is this really where you belong?”
I laugh softly. “You should have seen what I was doing before.” Soothsaying at a circus, dressed like a brigand, living in a tent. It was fabulous. Free. “Also, I’m only a queen when Mother dies, and Andromeda isn’t going anywhere. Unfortunately.”
We both grimace. It’s involuntary. Simultaneous. Then Helen’s eyes stray toward the courtyard again, small grooves forming beside her mouth.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Tarvans,” she answers. “They’re up to something.”
“Aren’t they always?”
“It’s just…” She frowns, much of her attention on her baby. “They’re going about it wrong.”
I cant my head. “What do you mean?”
“Beta Sinta started the Power Bid. Delta Tarva has always been ambitious—serpent charmers often are. She should be making her play for the Tarvan throne. Besides that one murderous blast to northern Kitros, no one ever sees Alpha Tarva using his magic. Maybe he can’t control it. Maybe it comes and goes. And his children are still young, with immature powers. But instead of attacking her brother and his kids, Delta Tarva is sending out discreet delegations to visit Sintan nobles. One came to our house, talking about alliances and coveted positions at court. It would appear she’s trying to gain support and undermine the new Sintan royals from within.”
“And you heard this conversation yourself?” I ask sharply.
She nods. “Three men came to speak to Agatone and Urania. As their heir, Oreste was included in the conversation. I was left out.”
“But you listened at the door?”
“Naturally.” Helen slants me an arch look. “They gave no answer for Delta Tarva at the time, and after the recent realm dinner, I think your Beta Sinta has seduced them with the strength of his ideas. Alpha Sinta was a surprise, too. They have plans.” She snorts, a surprised sound rather than derisive. “Any but the most idiotic and prejudiced of Magoi will see that these are good moves. Things that will help bring Sinta out from under the shadow of the other realms.”
“Did we derail Delta Tarva’s efforts?” I ask.
Helen shrugs. “Fundamentally, we’re all crafted from our own land—made from the dust, and ice, and magic. I may live in Sinta now, and prefer my life here, but I am Fisan. I will always be Fisan. Acantha Tarva will always be Tarvan. I doubt Sintan Magoi would ever truly accept her as their Alpha, and Sintan Hoi Polloi would hate it.”
I press my lips together. Herein lies a problem for us, as well. If we succeed in reuniting the realms, will the people across Thalyria accept Griffin and me as their Alphas? At least between us, we’ve got two of the three kingdoms covered.
“What if Delta Tarva’s brother supports her?” I ask. “What if he gives her an army to get her out of his hair? If she wins the Sintan throne, Alpha Tarva gains an ally next door. Together, they more than rival Fisa.”
Helen glances away, motherhood pulling her by its intangible thread. “It’s possible. I suggest you prepare for battle either way.”
A chill slips down my spine. Bodies strewn about me. Realms destroyed. “Acantha and her Drakons are coming for us, aren’t they?”
Helen shakes her head. She doesn’t know. “If they are, I don’t think it’s imminent. Delta Tarva is still sneaking delegations around Sinta, and the Tarvan royals have the upcoming Agon Games to prepare. As the hosts, I doubt they can make a move until the competition is over. The Games are too huge and popular to ignore.”