Now that everyone believes I’m Prince Corrick—whether in truth or playing a role—keeping track of my identity gets a lot easier. Lochlan and I have spent a day learning the streets of Silvesse, but at midnight, I’m able to walk right up to the door of the Harbor Station at nightfall and request an audience with Mr. Cheeke.
While we’re waiting to be admitted, Lochlan leans close. “Lina and Mouse are in the alley.”
I sigh. “Making sure we do as we’re told, I’m sure.”
Once we’re inside, Ford Cheeke spares no time. He drops a piece of parchment on the table in front of me.
“Our king has responded,” he says.
I pick up the paper.
Prince Corrick of Kandala is dead. Oren Crane is attempting to trick you to gain access to me.
My heart stalls in my chest. Maybe I really am an idiot, because this is not an outcome I envisioned.
Lochlan is staring at me rather desperately, and I realize he doesn’t want to admit he can’t read it.
“So Rian thinks I’m dead,” I say to Ford, giving Lochlan the information he needs. “Your king is wrong. I proved my identity to you.”
He spreads his hands. “We might be at an impasse. Short of delivering you to him directly, I’m unsure how to convince him otherwise.”
I’m unsure, too. I stand there thinking, desperate for a new way.
I can’t walk out of here a failure. I have no doubt Lina and Mouse are waiting to drown us in the harbor if Ford doesn’t give us good news.
“What about Tessa?” Lochlan says quietly, and I look at him.
“Tessa?”
“What were you writing to her earlier? Could you convince her?”
I look back at Ford. “I need paper and a pen. I’m going to give you a message to send back.”
He gives me the supplies, and I spend less than a minute writing. I fold the paper in half and hand it to him. “Send him that. Then he’ll believe it’s me.”
He unfolds it and reads it, and his body gives a sharp jolt. His eyes flash to mine, and his cheeks flush. “I absolutely will not send this.”
“Do you want me to kill you instead? Lina and Mouse are waiting in the alley.”
He huffs a breath. “Fine. But you will have to return at nightfall, three days hence. I don’t have a ship leaving for Fairde again until daybreak tomorrow.”
Three days.My jaw twitches. We’re so close that I can feel it.
But there’s nothing I can do about the delay.
“Fine.” I look at Lochlan. “We’re done here.”
Once we’re outside again, he all but pokes me in the arm. “What on earth did you write that made him so angry?” he demands.
“I said, ‘It’s me, you arrogant prick.’ ”
“Nice opening.”
“Thank you. Then I said, ‘Tell Tessa I’m alive. Tell her I said, “Mind your mettle.” Ask her if it’s really me. You’ll have your answer.’ ”
Lochlan glances at me. “You think that will work?”
As usual, I have a glimmer of hope that’s matched by a wash of fear, because Rian could crumple this up and not tell Tessa anything at all. But I’m banking on his altruistic desire to help his people. At the end of the day, he still needs Kandala.
And I don’t need to feed more worries to Lochlan.
So I give him a nod. “I know it will.”
