“But what about now?” he pressed. “Tonight. You seem abstracted, and Gia never showed up. Is everything all right?”
I turned away from the river, my brow creasing. “Gia never showed up for what?”
“I just got out of a grueling marathon of standing still for hours while powerful mages tried to work out what’s wrong with me.” He said the words lightly, but there was tension underneath.
“Nothing is wrong with you!” I said hotly before curiosity got the better of me. “Did they find anything? I assume they were trying to work out why you’re stronger than Augusta?”
He nodded. “I’m afraid it was a fruitless exercise. But Gia was supposed to be there, only she never showed up. Nik said he tried to bring her, but she wouldn't come. King Marius didn’t even try to hide his anger with her.”
I sucked in a breath. “Nikolas was supposed to bring her? Is that what Evermund was talking to him about?”
Zeke frowned. “Probably. He was sent to let them know about it. I thought she would be excited that they actually wanted her input for once. The theory was that the twins have spent as much time with me as Augusta—far more than anyone else—so they might have some unique insight.”
“Excuse me,” I said abruptly. “I need to speak to Gia.”
“Cadence!” Zeke called after me as I hurried away, but I ignored him.
Racing to our tent, I stormed inside, confronting Gia. “We need to talk.”
Karielle took one look at my face and stood. “I’ll leave.”
“Thanks.” I didn’t turn from Gia.
She slipped outside, leaving the two of us alone. Gia stared at me, confusion on her face.
“What’s the matter? Is something wrong?”
I threw my hands up. “Yes, something is wrong! Your own twin is trying to steal your throne, and you refuse to see it!”
Wariness entered her eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Nik—”
“Do not give me a spiel about how loyal he is,” I cried. “Maybe he was once, but he’s changed lately. You were supposed to be at an important meeting tonight—one where they actually wanted your input. I saw Evermund give Nikolas the message—and then I saw him decide not to pass it on to you. Apparently your father is furious that you flouted him like that. And in front of the nomads, too. The most important people in the kingdom were there, and you looked childish and irresponsible next to your brother’s responsible diligence. He planned that, Gia.”
She deflated, her shoulders slumping as she sank down to sit on her sleeping pallet. But when she looked up at me, it wasn’t betrayal on her face.
Her eyes, half embarrassed, half hopeful, fixed on me.
“Do you really think it came across that way?”
“Of course I do. How else could it come across?”
She sighed. “You’re a good friend, Cadence. I should have told you sooner. But my parents made me swear years ago not to talk to anyone outside the family about it, and the habit stuck.”
“Not talk about what?”
She took a deep breath. “I don’t want to be queen.”
I frowned. “I imagine it’s a daunting prospect. But hopefully you won’t have to be queen for decades yet. You have time to grow into the role. And I know you’ll be a great—”
“No.” She cut me off. “I don’t want to be queen ever. And I don’t want to be crown princess now.”
I shifted uncomfortably. “It isn’t the kind of thing you get to choose, unfortunately.”
“Actually,” she said, straightening, “it is. I was fourteen the first time I read about abdication, and I’ve known ever since then that it’s what I want. I love my family, but I don’t want my birthright.”
I sank down onto my bed. “You want to abdicate?”
She nodded, looking lighter already, as if it was a relief to get it off her chest. “I’ve been fighting about it with my parents ever since. They said I was too young to make a decision like that and made me promise to wait until I came of age at nineteen at least. I countered by saying that I would abdicate immediately unless they let me have my two apprentice years as a regular apprentice.”
“Apprentice Gia,” I breathed.
She nodded. “They thought if I experienced life as a non-royal, I would quickly realize the advantages of my position. But I love it, Cadence. I love the freedom and the lack of constraint. I love being able to say and do what I actually feel instead of needing to weigh every tiny word and action.”
“Surely it’s not that bad.” I snorted. “Nikolas doesn’t seem to weigh his words that closely.”
She rolled her eyes. “Nik is…Nik.”
“So, all this time you’ve been plotting an escape?” It was hard to absorb. “But why do your parents want you to be queen if you’re so wildly opposed to the idea? That doesn’t seem like it would lend itself to a good rule. And your brother doesn’t seem to share your aversion, so they wouldn’t be left without an heir.”
She grimaced. “Back before I knew abdication was an option, I poured all my energy into learning to be Princess Morgiana, heir to the throne. I was good at the role—too good. Nikolas, on the other hand, is…”
“Selfish, unpleasant, and power hungry?” I supplied.
She laughed. “Poor Nik. He’s not that bad, I promise. But according to my parents, he doesn’t have the natural temperament to rule.” She sobered. “He’s convinced himself it’s just because of his seed that they’re so opposed to the idea of him becoming the heir.”
“Oh…” A lot of things became clearer in light of this information. “So the way you’ve both been acting on the tour…”
“It’s a play being enacted on a public stage,” she said. “We’re not going to get a better chance to convince my parents that Nik is their only hope at a responsible child who will fulfill his duties diligently.”
I shook my head. “It’s a risky move. What if all you do is turn public opinion against your family entirely?”
Her mouth twisted, her hands clasping together in her lap. “I hope not. That’s why I haven’t been too outrageous.” She turned large eyes on me. “Have I?”
I considered the matter before shaking my head. “No, I don’t think so. I’ve noticed, and it’s been driving me crazy, but I’m sure some on the tour haven’t noticed anything at all.”
She let out a sigh of relief. “I hope you’re right. Poor Nik has been working so hard.”
“Poor Nik…” I shook my head again.
Gia snorted. “Don’t look so shocked, Cadence.”
“It’s a big adjustment,” I said indignantly. “I’d worked myself up into a righteous fury against your brother, and now I find out I should feel sympathy for him.” I looked across at her. “I still think it’s a risky move, though, bringing the nomads into it.”
“You’re right, of course.” She sighed. “We were hoping Nik would look better to the Triumvirate by comparison.”