The sultan suspended negotiations as the Qumarefi authorities investigated the assassination attempt. Eli cloistered in his rooms with Auburn, wanting to make it as easy as possible for his bodyguards to keep them both alive.

But he still needed answers.

There was a knock at the door, followed by a password. Rolland’s password. Peering into the shadows, Eli made certain Sligo was there then bid his adviser to enter.

Rolland opened the door and bowed. “You called for me, Your Highness.”

Eli nodded once, and the guards closed the door behind his adviser.

The prince stilled and focused on Rolland like a predator stalking its next meal. He waited a few moments, using the silence to further unnerve his quarry. “You’ve been lying to me, feeding me disinformation, and withholding important facts.”

“Your Highness, I...”

Eli held up his hand to silence Rolland. “You’ve lied enough. Don’t add to it.”

Sweat beaded on Rolland’s brow, and he stared down at his hands.

“Figuring out what your half-truths gained you eased the boredom of negotiations. However, it’s escalated from disinformation to assassination. When it comes to my life, I’m far less understanding.”

Panic twisted Rolland’s face. “I was part of no such a plot!”

“Attempted murder on a member of the royal family is punishable by death. The statutes are less clear on how that execution should be carried out, and a merciful death is too kind for betrayal.”

“Please, you have to believe me. I had no part in trying to kill you! None!.”

Eli ignored Rolland’s pleas. “I’ve given the method a lot of thought. I’ve learned things in my travels. Learned that each man has his pain threshold. The point at which he’d rather die than face another moment of agony.”

Rolland’s eyes widened. “I knew nothing about the plot!”

“Why kill me now?”

“It wasn’t me!” Fear and helplessness warred across Rolland’s face.

“Why did you wait so long?”

“I have no idea. Your Highness, please, you must believe me. I had nothing to do with any of this! It was Premal. I warned you about making such a powerful enemy.”

“Then what were you doing? You weren’t acting as my expert on Qumarefi culture, unless you’re somehow didn’t know it’s customary to wear a beard and give a gift when given one.”

“I...”

“The truth, Rolland, is your only chance. And I’m offering it once.” Eli arched a brow and waited.

Rolland tried to swallow, but his mouth was too dry. “I was asked to make the deliberations as short as possible. To get you home quickly.”

Eli’s eyes narrowed. “Who asked you to do that?”

“The Duke of Bridgeford.”

“Fredrick.” Eli rocked back on his heels.

“Who’s Fredrick?” Auburn asked.

“My cousin. My only cousin.” Eli’s eyes narrowed. “Interesting story, but I doubt Fredrick could find Qumaref on a map.”

“I swear, Your Highness. It was him. I’m telling you the truth.”

“And why should I believe you? You have done little to earn my trust.”

Rolland licked his lips.

Even as Eli kept his adviser pinned with a hard stare, thoughts of his cousin rolled through his mind. Fredrick. The name surprised Prince Eli.

He had only one living cousin, and Fredrick had always been far more concerned with balls, ladies, and the gaming tables than the future of Tamryn. While Fredrick shouldn’t be underestimated when he wanted something, Eli couldn’t conceive of what his cousin would want. Especially from him.

“What did my cousin offer you if you helped him?”

“A rich reward and full citizenship,” Rolland said.

“Just for getting me back early?”

“For the months I’d be away, for the risk I was taking...”

“Risk indeed.” Eli narrowed his eyes as his adviser fidgeted. “You will continue to attend meetings with me. No one else is to know you’re compromised. Go until I call for you again.”

Rolland nodded and walked to the door.

“You have not paid your debt,” Eli said. “And if I find out you’re lying again, we’ll learn exactly what your threshold is.”

The adviser swallowed and left the room.

Auburn waited for the door to close and lock behind Rolland. “That still leaves us with the question of who wants you dead.”

Eli’s gaze fixed on the hidden door. “My first, second and third thoughts are Premal.” But another name was twisting through his thoughts, and that name worried him a great deal more than an adviser to the Qumarefi sultan.