My thoughts churned like dark storm clouds. So much had happened in such a short time. I kept replaying breakfast in my mind, wondering if I had said too much to Samara.I had hoped that mentioning marriage might spark some buried memory in her, some flicker of our promise. But her eyes remained vacant, as if none of it had ever happened.The door suddenly burst open, and I whirled around, hand instinctively reaching for the dagger at my belt. But it was only Belmont striding in, uninvited as always. His fiery red curls were windblown and messy, no doubt from riding hard from Aeloria."I've come to give you my morning greetings, brother," Belmont declared with a flourish, sweeping into an exaggerated bow. I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the smile tugging at my lips.Hurried footsteps echoed down the hall, and Henry appeared in the doorway. He shared a loaded glance with Theo before offering me a curt nod. "Your Grace.""What news?" I demanded, the brief moment of levity fading as their grim expressions registered.Belmont threw himself onto the settee with a huff. "Aldric can no longer detect anything from the convergence energy pulse." He fixed me with a look of sincere sympathy. "I'm sorry, brother."Why was Belmont apologizing? Unless...they didn't know. About Samara. About who she really was to me.Theo cleared his throat delicately. "I thought it best for you to share the news, Your Grace," he said, clearly reading my mind as he so often did.Belmont and Henry turned to me expectantly, curiosity burning in their eyes. I waved a hand. "I will, shortly. Finish your report first."Henry straightened, every inch the perfect knight. "After returning from the temple, we noticed undercover holy knights in the city."My blood ran cold. "Did they follow you back from the temple?""No, Your Grace. But they must suspect whoever infiltrated the temple fled to Aeloria." Henry's jaw clenched. "They focused their efforts near the mages' towers. And in Dampshaw."I nodded slowly. It made sense for them to look where magic use was prevalent. "Did they speak with the Grand Mage?" An image of the cunning Second Prince flickered through my mind."No," Henry replied. "But they spent considerable time at the Pig's Tail Tavern."I frowned. That caught my interest. I doubted holy knights went there to throw back a pint. "The Pig's Tail...Tabitha's place?"Belmont nodded. "The very same.""You think they suspect her involvement in the break-in?""Doubtful," Belmont said. "More likely fishing for information. Tabitha's skills extend beyond running a mercenary guild, after all."Indeed, her network of secrets rivaled even my own spies. I steepled my fingers, mind racing. The holy knights, Tabitha, Samara...so many threads to untangle. So many possible threats are looming like shadows waiting to strike.Belmont leaned forward, green eyes sharp with interest. "Speaking of the break-in, what of the vial we sent you?"I nodded to Theo, who stepped forward and adjusted his glasses. "I've studied the contents, Your Grace. The potion contains shadow moss and mind root sap, among other ingredients I'm still working to identify.""Yes, yes, but what's it bloody for?" Belmont huffed impatiently, earning a reproachful look from Henry."Based on my analysis, I believe it's designed to dull the mind, rendering the drinker susceptible to outside influence and control.""So, a mind control potion. Charming.""In a basic sense, yes," Theo replied, unruffled by my brother's sarcasm.Henry's brow furrowed. "But why would the High Priest want such a thing?"That is an excellent question. One I suspected I wouldn't like the answer to.Belmont sprang to his feet, eyes glinting with mischief. "Well, Silas is still here, isn't he? Let's go pour it down his sanctimonious throat and make him tell us!"I sighed, sorely tempted to let Belmont have his way. But reason prevailed. "Sit down, brother. The potion controls; it doesn't compel truth."I glanced at Theo for confirmation. He nodded. "His Grace is correct. We would need a truth serum to extract information from Silas. This potion could make him commit treason, perhaps, but not spill secrets."Belmont threw himself back on the couch, pouting like a thwarted child. It was almost comical if the situation wasn't so grim. "Fine. What was the purpose of his visit anyway, and why is he still here?"I exhaled heavily. "Silas came to pressure me into marriage. He threatened to involve the royal court and His Majesty if I don't find a suitable partner soon."Henry stiffened, outrage simmering in his blue eyes. But it was Belmont who exploded. "How dare he? Threaten you? We should have razed that thrice-damned temple!"A chuckle escaped me at his vehemence. Good old Belmont-his tongue was as sharp as his sword, and he wielded both with enthusiasm. He is a man of his word, through and through.Henry stepped closer, gaze intent. "Your Grace, did you consume anything they offered?"I shook my head. "I did not." A thought struck me. "Sir Henry, you suspect the potion was meant for me?""It makes sense," he insisted. "They came to coerce you and brought the Saintess... The High Priest knows you mistrust him and the Church. Surely, he realized you'd refuse her, even by royal decree.""I concur, Your Grace," Theo said. Henry started slightly, his cheeks rising in color at the unexpected support.Pieces clicked into place, forming a picture I did not like in the least. Marriage, mind control, a too-convenient visit...What game was Silas playing? And how far would he go to win?"Were there more vials?" I asked, sharper than I intended.Henry nodded grimly. "The box had spaces for three. One was already empty."I frowned, mind racing. "Then I don't believe it was meant for me."Belmont's brow furrowed. "If not you, then who? Who else would Silas risk brewing such a forbidden concoction for?"The answer hit me like a physical blow, grave and terrible. "The king."Stunned silence blanketed the room, heavy with implication.I forged ahead, voicing the suspicion that had long festered in my mind. "Haven't you ever wondered how Silas maintained his influence over His Majesty for so long? Yes, he saved the king in his youth, but that debt was repaid thrice over. There's no reason for him to curry favor still, especially when Silas is reviled by the court and nobles alike."Belmont leaped to his feet, eyes blazing. "If he's using it on the king, it's high treason! We must inform the court at once!""And implicate ourselves in the process?" I countered, "The only reason we have this potion is because we used forbidden magic to steal it. Exposing Silas would mean confessing our own crimes."A knock shattered the tense moment. Pascal entered, bowing. "Your Grace, the High Priest and Saintess will soon depart. They wish to speak with you ere they leave."I nodded, then turned to the others. "Get some rest. We'll continue this discussion later."They filed out, Belmont's jaw clenched tight. As they exited, Silas's oily voice drifted in, setting my teeth on edge. Belmont's reply was strained politeness incarnate, prompting a grim smile from me.Silas and Celeste glided in, all false smiles and calculated charm. The moment the door closed, Celeste lifted her veil, her intent transparent as glass."Your Grace, our deepest thanks for making time to see us before our departure," Silas simpered. "And for your generous hospitality, allowing Celeste to recover here."I inclined my head. "Lady Celeste, I trust you are feeling better?"She smiled, sugary sweet. "Much better, thanks to your kindness, Your Grace.""I'm glad to hear it. What did the physician say caused your ailment?""Overexertion, I believe," she demurred. "I've been traveling frequently to give blessings in the slums while we awaited the new temple's completion."I let the statement hang for a beat, then went in for the kill."Indeed? I heard you also blessed Verdantvale recently." My tone could have frozen hell itself. "While you are free to minister to the capital's unfortunates, the Duchy is quite another matter. Any visits to our towns require a formal request and my express permission."Silas's mask never slipped. "It was a token of appreciation, Your Grace. After all, your people did grant us Elysarra's Forest.""A gift from the king, not me," I reminded him, each word as precise as a dagger's point."A gesture of goodwill then," Celeste interjected, "since the new temple in the Forest will limit the people's access to it."My eyes narrowed. "If goodwill was your aim, why not bless Aeloria's slums instead?""We do plan to," Silas said smoothly. "The request is already being drafted."Silence stretched between us, taut and charged."If that is all," I finally said, "I won't detain you from your journey any longer."Neither moved. A glance passed between them, sneaky and full of meaning. Then Silas spoke again, and I braced for the real reason behind this little farce of a meeting."Your Grace," Silas began, his voice deceptively soft, "something you said last night at dinner troubled Celeste and me greatly."I steeled myself, running through the myriad of barbs I'd let fly, ready to dodge whatever accusation he leveled. But his following words caught me completely off guard."You referred to Lady Samara as your 'beloved.'"The word hung in the air between us, heavy with implication. I felt a momentary surge of panic. Had I really let that slip? And worse, had Samara heard it herself?Silas pressed on, relentless. "Is she the one you intend to wed?"White-hot anger surged through my veins. "As I've said before, my marital prospects are no concern of the Church's.""On the contrary," Silas retorted vehemently, "they are of utmost importance to both the Church and the kingdom. Whomever you take as the Duchess is paramount to the continued strength of the Duchy - and by extension, the realm itself."I could barely contain my fury as I glared at them, hands clenching into fists atop my desk. How dare they imply Samara was anything less than worthy?Silas, seeing he'd struck a nerve, twisted the knife. "Wedding a foreigner will bring severe backlash. Surely, you must see that.""Is that a threat?" I bit out through gritted teeth."Merely a warning," he replied, all silken menace. "We only have the kingdom's best interests at heart."I wanted nothing more than to throw them out on their sanctimonious ass. But I knew I had to tread carefully. They clearly suspected something was amiss with Samara's sudden appearance. Confirming any attachment would only paint a larger target on her back.I forced my voice to remain level, even as my blood boiled. "Lady Samara is a guest and under my protection. And you'd do well to remember that my personal life is not fodder for idle speculation or gossip."Celeste had the gall to lay a hand on my arm, her eyes wide with false concern. "Please, Your Grace, we meant no offense. It's just that so much rests on your shoulders. We merely wish to lighten your burden however we can."I jerked away from her touch as if burned. "How very altruistic of you," I drawled, not bothering to hide my disdain. "But I assure you, I am more than capable of bearing the weight of my responsibilities - personal and political - without the Church's meddling."With that, I strode to the door and flung it open, an apparent dismissal. "A safe journey to you both. I trust you can see yourselves out."They left with murmured platitudes, but the simmering resentment in their eyes belied their honeyed words. I slammed the door behind them, slumped against it, and dragged a hand down my face.Damn them. Damn, their schemes and machinations. And damn my foolish tongue for giving them ammunition.I had to be more careful. I couldn't afford any slip-ups, not with Samara's safety on the line. The very thought of her coming to harm because of me made my chest constrict painfully.I needed answers, and I needed them fast. The convergence spell, the mind control potion, Samara's memories - it was all connected somehow. I just had to unravel the threads before it was too late.