Bend Her novel · Chapter 11 of 24

Chapter 11: The King's Table

Aldous slid down from the white horse and came across the muddy yard with his arms open.

"Lin," he said. "My little Lin."

I let him hold me.

I had always let him.

He smelled of horse and cedar oil, and for a moment I was six years old again and he was carrying me through a dark hall.

Then I looked over his shoulder at the burned barn and stepped back.

"You sent soldiers to burn a man's cows," I said.

"I sent soldiers to find out whether my sister could do what the Beast Mage said she could." He glanced at the black barn, the steam still rising, and the shaking soldiers. "And now I know."

"You could have asked me."

"Would you have told me the truth?"

"I would have shown you."

He laughed, a little helplessly, and turned to Ansel.

"Rooke. Good work."

Ansel bowed his head one inch.

"Your Majesty."

"We will dine at the keep," said Aldous. "All of us. I have news."

The great hall had been laid with the good silver, and Gisborne sat at the king's right hand, smiling gently into his wine.

Bess served, with a very straight back and her jaw clenched.

I sat across from my brother and did not eat.

"I will be plain," Aldous said, when the plates were cleared. "The northern lord has heard rumors that the princess is unstable. He has sent his envoy to the capital. He wants proof that she can hold her power in public, or he withdraws the treaty, and with it the northern border."

"What proof?" I asked.

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