Ronan sputtered and shot her looks of alarm. She ignored him. She'd spent enough time with Tyrus to take liberties--and to know he'd allow them, even enjoyed the informality.
"How can the meeting be private," Tyrus said. "If you're holding it in a public place?"
"Because I don't have a private place. Not even my suite. I was bathing yesterday and a maidservant brought in fresh towels."
"They're very attentive."
"Which is fine. Just not while I'm bathing."
Tyrus grinned. "I don't mind them."
She rolled her eyes.
He turned to Ronan. "Since Moria refused to extend proper courtesies, I'll presume you're Ronan?"
Ronan nodded mutely.
"I apologize for dragging you into this, but if Moria had asked me what my father was doing, I'd have said he has sent spies to survey the situation in Fairview. He must determine an appropriate course of action since he cannot meet Alvar's demands for their release."
The former marshal had demanded nothing short of the throne. As Emperor Tatsu said, Alvar Kitsune didn't expect him even to consider such a thing. It was not a negotiation but a declaration of war.
Tyrus continued. "If Moria had asked me, I would have happily answered her questions. But she refuses to speak of the matter."
"Because you shouldn't be pulled into it," Moria said. "Your brothers have spies watching to see if you're paying attention to me because I'm a young woman or because I'm part of a situation that could further your position in court. The latter would suggest an interest in politics, which would suggest a lack of interest in a long life."
Two of the emperor's bastard sons had already died from paying an unhealthy amount of attention to matters of court. Tyrus aspired to be a warrior--a great one. Nothing less and nothing more.
"Yes," Tyrus said. "But I suggested finding a place where we could speak privately. Which you refused."
"Because I won't involve you."
"I said I wish to be involved."
"And I said I would not allow it."
They locked gazes, but she would not back down. If he wanted to give her sword lessons, she would not object to that. If he wanted to befriend her, she would not object to that. If he wanted to be more than a friend . . . well, that was open to consideration. Her sister deemed such matters affairs of the heart, to be approached with great care and forethought. To Moria, the heart did not enter into it. If Tyrus fancied her and she fancied him, she could use lessons in more than fighting techniques.
There was only one role she would not allow Tyrus to play: her champion. In court, everyone wanted something from you. She would not be part of that. She enjoyed Tyrus's company because his company was worth enjoying, not because he was a prince. She would do nothing to suggest otherwise.
"My father has sent spies," Tyrus said. "Two, to take separate routes, in case one is captured. He expects word from them at any moment. You may have noticed he is entertaining guests?"
Moria said nothing.
"I'm sure you're fuming at the emperor for throwing lavish parties while the children of your village suffer. He does no such thing, Moria. He entertains the Sultan of Nemeth and the King of Etaria. Minor principalities near the Katakana Mountains, where the Kitsunes once ruled. Both men were close friends of Alvar Kitsune. Someone has been sheltering him since his escape from the Forest of the Dead."
"Your father thinks it's one of them," Ronan said. "That's why they're here. So he can decide which is guilty."
Tyrus nodded and watched Moria, waiting for her to ask questions. She had a hundred of them. And to protect Tyrus, she'd ask not a one.
"He's doing what he can," Tyrus said. "He's not a perfect ruler, but he is a very good one. I know you think I'm only saying that because he's my father. But did he seem incompetent when you spoke to him? Did he seem uncaring? Did he seem to underestimate the threat?"
She shifted on the crate.
"I know you are frustrated," he said. "But there is no reason for you to go to Fairview. If it would help you to speak to my father, I can arrange an audience."
"No."
"I would be discreet about it. Allow me to--"