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And then there were three.
“So what news comes from Fort Malek?” Cyrus asked while finishing the rest of his sautéed potatoes.
Ladon gave me the quickest glance before turning to his brother. “I told you we could talk about it later.”
“Don’t be silly. You can speak freely in front of Emilie. She should be brought up to speed on matters concerning the court, anyway. Might as well start now.”
It made me happy to hear Cyrus’s confidence in me. He truly was doing his best to make me feel like I belonged here, and I was incredibly grateful.
Ladon glared at his brother with fierce blue eyes before sighing in resignation. He tilted his chin up in my direction. “Fine. It’s not like she won’t find out eventually, anyway.”
The knowing look he gave me made my cheeks flush. Or maybe they were already flushed from the alcohol, but regardless, the reminder of last night’s mishap made me shift in my seat. Ladon was frowning, and I wondered if he ever smiled.
“Two of our scouts went on a mission last week and didn’t come back. This morning, one was found.”
“That’s good news.”
“No. His head was found. Severed from his body.”
I gasped, and both men looked at me, Ladon with an annoyed expression, and Cyrus looking more apologetic. I didn’t want to risk being told to leave, so I quickly composed myself. “Sorry. Continue.”
“And the other scout?” Cyrus asked.
“Still missing. The captain wants to send a convoy to look for him.”
“And what do you think?”
“I agree. I think it’s cruel to leave him to fend for himself. You know how vicious Reyna is. He’ll die or worse if we leave him in Murvort.”
“Murvort,” I said and again both men turned to me. “Your scouts are in Murvort.”
Ladon’s irritation grew. “Yes.”
“I thought Murvort wasn’t a threat.” I turned to Cyrus for some sort of confirmation. “They’ve stayed out of our lands for decades.”
“Who do you think keeps them in place?” Ladon spat.
“Easy, Brother.” Cyrus placed both palms on the table, calm and steady. “Yes, Murvort has been held at bay for decades. We have outposts spread across the border to keep them in place. Sometimes there are clashes, but it’s nothing to worry about.”
Cyrus did his best to assure me, but the way Ladon’s jaw tensed made me wonder if he was being entirely truthful.
He addressed his brother. “I trust your judgment. Let Kalen know we can spare three guards.”
“Three?” Ladon asked, his face contorted in outrage. “That’s not nearly enough.”
“I won’t risk losing more men, and I also won’t risk breaking our current treaty. It’s already fragile enough. We don’t need to provoke them by sending in a full squadron.”
“I’d say the treaty ended when they sent a head rolling into camp.”
“That’s enough.” Cyrus’s tone was quiet but firm. I would’ve been less rattled if he’d raised his voice. “You can send three or you can send none at all.”
Ladon deflated, but he didn't argue. He pressed his lips into a thin line before he spoke again. “Yes, Your Highness.”
Cyrus sighed and I could tell he didn’t appreciate his brother’s mockery, but he let it slide, anyway. I understood. It was the same way I bit my tongue in my mother’s presence.
I watched all of this unravel in silence. My head was still spinning after three cocktails and the new knowledge that Murvort was, in fact, a threat. My mother had been right. Gods, if she ever found out, we’d never hear the end of it.
When Cyrus stood, I straightened in my seat. “My attendance is required at a meeting. Ladon, could you give Emilie a tour of the castle? I would do it myself, but I’m afraid these meetings are going to last all day.”
