“Dare I ask in what way you did?” Ironically enough, talk of wounded pride struck that exact nerve and he struggled with that paradox for a moment, a guarded gaze flickering back over the robed woman standing before them. “The risk now seems minimal enough. I do not suggest I take Lord Salicar’s place in this matter, but there is no one who can take mine. It seems reasonable enough to believe that your influence over me may… Differ. There is one certain way to determine that.”
If he hadn’t trusted Azyebel, he would never have given her so many of the oaths he had spoken before the realm. Some his station had dictated, as she was his Queen, but he had gone beyond that in his show of support. Precious few knew precisely what the two have endured together. Aredhel knew, Keirohn must as well. Beyond that… Mikino had only given away pieces of it all, even to those he trusted most, and he suspected it was the same with Azyebel. They might one day give the whole story to Shayleiah or to Jeffrey, but the pair were too young to appreciate the gravity of it, and there was no sense burdening them now.
Yes, he trusted her today. Time had not taken that from them yet.
“I would as soon we be done with it quickly. Anticipation is not something I relish in this instance.”