Chapter 9

“I shall have someone with me,” Amery muttered, half to himself. “Bellona, perhaps…”

Now Tovin didlaugh. “She’d plunge the blade into your heart for you, and twist it out of spite.”

Amery shook his head, discounting her. “My page, then.”

“And terrorize the boy?” Tovin joked. “Surely he’s much too young. He’ll be rendered speechless by the shock of it, unable to tell a soul.”

The regent punched his shoulder in anger. “Stop shooting down my ideas, Tovin. I will not take that crown.”

“What about me?” the knight asked. When Amery looked at him, Tovin gave him a sad, exaggerated pout. “What would happen to me if you died? How wouldIgo on?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Amery told him, “Well, I would hope you’d never take another lover. In fact, I forbid it.”

“You’ll be gone,” Tovin countered. “Who’ll stop me?”

Exasperated, Amery cried, “Tovin! I’m trying to be serious here.”