"Oh no, she isn't fool enough for that." Sinric plays with Athelstan's hair, twisting it into careless braids. "And if she tried and failed Leo would not be kind and his father would not be merciful. She has no real power and so seethes at the little injustices she can't change. Like me."

A dark thought crosses his mind. "When Leo comes to power on his own, it would be a bad time to be in the city, let alone the palace. Little birds will need to fly fast."