His fingers curled against his palms before relaxing again.
"What would any word coming out of me do to him?"
When he lifted his gaze, it met hers directly.
"He has your love."
The words lingered.
"And he clearly has the Sovereign's support."
Ryley watched the reaction carefully.
Not openly.
Not enough to be noticed.
But he saw it.
The certainty in Starla's expression weakened ever so slightly. The sharp edge of suspicion softened, replaced by something far less comfortable.
Doubt.
Good.
A disbelieving laugh escaped him.
"It wasn't even that long ago that some servants I'd never met tried to drown me."
The memory alone seemed to alter the atmosphere.
Starla's expression shifted.
Ryley looked away, as though recalling something unpleasant.
"As far as I remember, they weren't trying to kill Mr. Vincent."
His tone remained calm. Almost thoughtful.
