Page 105 of Hollow Court

Allies. I was beginning to hate that word, but I supposed it was better than nothing.

“That we are,” I agreed.

Galina left then, followed by the others, but my mother lingered at the doorway, a rare bit of hesitation in her stance.

“Whatever happened,” Mamá began.

“I know, Mamá,” I cut her off. “Don’t worry. We’ll still put on a perfect show. Just. Not here.”

She crossed the room to me, concern softening her features. Lifting a hand up, she pushed the wayward hair back from my forehead like she had when I was a child.

“I wasn’t worried about that. But I hope you know I’ve always wanted more for you than the mere appearance of love.” She shook her head sadly.

“I do know that,” I assured her, taking her hand in mine. “But we both know how important this vote is.”

“The fate of the kingdom does not rest on your shoulders alone, Darling. If you lose this vote, we will find another way to protect our people. We always do.”

A bitter huff of air escaped my lips. “You love Lithlinglau.”

After whatever had happened with Laird Anderson, something she rarely spoke of, she had rebuilt this place room by room and turned it into our home. The people were my primary concern, but it was adding insult to injury, knowing that the family of the man who had hurt her would try to take this place away.

“I loveyou,” she corrected. “And I am tired of watching the people I love hurt by politics.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I wasn’t sure politics were the problem this time. At least, not between me and Galina.

* * *

After our meetingin the study, my mother went to find Galina to prepare for the afternoon’s tea with the ladies. Gallagher was waiting for me in the hallway when I emerged.

“Spar?” he said. It was less of a question than a demand.

I started to tell him I had too much going on today, but he gave me one of his obnoxiousI know what’s best for your healthlooks, and I relented.

“Fine.”

We walked to the private sparring ring in silence, then wordlessly removed our coats and picked up our practice swords.

The clanging of steel rang out for several tense minutes before Gal finally spoke.

“Anything in particular that you want to talk about, Cousin?” He raised an eyebrow.

Though he was being slightly smarmy about it, it was true that I had been unfair to him. I sighed.

It wasn’t like I had really ever doubted his loyalty to me. This situation with Galina was between her and me. It really had nothing to do with him.

“Do you need me to spell out an apology? Write you a sonnet about it, perhaps?” I asked, parrying his sword away. “I could trace it out for you, right here in the sand.”

I gestured to the sand lining the ring, and he huffed out a laugh.

“That won’t be necessary,” he assured me. “I take my apologies in the form of vodka. Don’t think I didn’t see that Rowan put extras in your trunks.”

I nodded once, grateful to be done with the subject. “Consider it done.”

“Notice she didn’t put extras in my trunks. She always did like you best,” he remarked a moment later. “That’s why I’m not forcing an apology from you now.”

So, it wasn’t done. Lovely.

“For Rowan’s sake?” I asked, furrowing my brow as I went on the offensive.