A laugh. "Thank you. Now, if we continue down this beach, we're bound to find a way back up the cliff . . ."
They did find a way up . . . or "up" found a way to them, as the cliff dwindled into a hill leading from the beach to the field beyond the forest. As they climbed the hill, Tyrus said, "I need to tell you a few things before we reach the men."
He told her what had happened at the battle, how Lord Jorojumo's men had turned on them, which she already knew. The aftermath, she did not. It seemed Gavril hadn't lied about that after all. Tyrus was in exile, and she was branded a traitor.
But whatever Gavril's claims, she was certain that he had known this all along. Which made another part of Tyrus's tale all the more horrifying.
"They think I was Gavril's . . . lover?" she said.
"They say you fell under his spell on your escape from Edgewood. Or perhaps in Edgewood itself."
She sputtered a laugh. "Fell under his spell? Clearly whoever tells these tales does not know Gavril Kitsune very well. But that's what they think. That I betrayed my empire and abandoned my sister and my bond-beast for my lover."
"Yes, to anyone who has known you even for a moment, the story is preposterous."
"Almost as preposterous as saying you'd fall under my spell, betray your empire, and run from battle. Your father will know that isn't true."
"My mother will, and I take comfort in that."
"No," she said, meeting his gaze. "Your father will."
"I would like to share your confidence, but I don't want to seem a fool for presuming. The truth is that it doesn't honestly matter what my father thinks. Not as much as it should. My half brothers will spread this story as far as they can, as will their mothers. Those within the court know it is politically wise to side with them. They will rule one day; I will not. If my father defends me, it makes him seem a sentimental old man at a time when he can least afford that." Tyrus lifted his bare arm, flashing his banded tattoos. "My father is truly of the dragon clan. He is strong-willed and brutal, but he's also crafty and cautious. He knows when to defend his treasure with fire and fang, and w
hen to lie low and outwit his opponents."
"And your brothers are his opponents."
"Yes, oddly, as much as they are mine. As long as he lives, he keeps them from the imperial throne. Succession is an ugly thing."
"Which is one reason he favors you. Because you want nothing from him, least of all his death."
He shrugged. "I won't presume he favors me but, again, it wouldn't matter if he did. Whether he thinks I could have done this thing or not, I can't run to him for safe harbor. Which is why I went to Lord Okami."
They crested the hill, then walked in silence before he cleared his throat.
"All of this is to say that your prince is no longer a prince. Taking an exiled traitor for a lover might not have the same appeal."
"Do you truly think I care? Even a little?"
"No. I'm just pointing it out. To be fair."
She rolled her eyes. "You are unreasonably fair sometimes, Tyrus. If I was to think anything at all of a potential loss of title, it would be only the very selfish reflection that at least I don't have to worry about running my blade through some dainty princess who fancies you . . . or running it through you if she catches your eye."
He let out a laugh, cutting himself short as he looked around, then lowered his voice when he spoke. "That would be of no concern even if I remained a prince. Yes, I know you've heard the stories. A young prince--even a bastard--does present a temptation to visiting princesses and ladies, and I will admit that I've taken advantage of that."
"As well you should."
He glanced over to see if she was joking.
"I mean it," she said. "If girls make themselves available, and you do not dishonor them, then there is no harm in dallying. If the situation were mine, I'd certainly take advantage."
He laughed again. "Thank you, and I can assure you that whatever you heard, it was exaggerated, but the truth . . ." He sobered and looked over at her. "The truth, Moria, is that as entertaining as those dalliances were, there was not a girl whose memory lingered moments after she left the city gates. Only once has one stayed in my mind as if branded there. A girl I could not wait to see again, would seize on any excuse to see again, offering anything from garden tours to swordsmanship lessons. After I recovered from battle, all I wanted was to find you. I told myself Gavril would care for you, that my duty was to inform my father of Jorojumo's betrayal, and that my best hope of rescuing you was with a contingent of his finest warriors at my back."
"You were using your head."
He slowed to a stop. "I didn't want to use my head. If Ashyn hadn't been there to keep me on track, I think I'd not have managed it. The moment I learned what had happened--that there was no use in returning to the city--I almost felt relieved. I could shuck duty and follow my heart. Find you. Save you." He paused and gave a tiny smile. "Even if you did not need saving."
"I appreciate the effort."