If I caught sight of his blond head, I might toss the tea in his face.
Luck favored him.
As I turned the corner, Kallias stepped out, alone. Shadows deepened to the lines around his mouth. Fatigue dulled his posture. But when he saw me, his eyes lifted, and a strained smile cracked through the weariness.
“How did it go?” I asked, just as Greaves closed the study door behind him, sealing my family inside.
“As well as could be expected.” His gaze flicked to the cup in my hand.
I held it out. “You looked like you needed a drink.”
His fingers brushed mine as he accepted it. He glanced into the murky depths, nodding once. “Thank you.” He raised it to sip.
He froze, holding the hot liquid in his mouth, eyes flying wide.
“What is it?” Panic rushed through me. “The cook prepared them just like tea. Was there a special way to prepare them?”
His gaze darted to the glass at his lips as if he was contemplating spitting the drink back into the cup.
How awful was it that a king would spit it out?!
“Kal?” Greaves stepped up, brows drawn.
Kallias lowered the mug and swallowed hard. His throat worked against the effort, jaw tight, as he turned and glared at the drink.
“Whatisthis?” he rasped. “Are you sure this was tea?”
“It’s bean tea. What did you call it? Kahve?”
He gave a stunned, breathless laugh. “This isn’t kahve. This is… exactly what I’d expect from something calledbean tea.”
“The beans came off your ship!”
“And I deeply regret not bringing kahve beans myself.” He chuckled, lifting the cup and swirling it. “You tried this?”
“I never enjoyed it.”
“You wouldn’t enjoythis.”
He handed the mug to Greaves, who accepted it with a look of pure dread. He scanned the hallway, desperate for a place to abandon it.
“Your father agreed to the terms today,” Kallias said, extending his arm. “Shall I walk you to your rooms?”
“Or yours.” I slid my hand into the crook of his arm as he turned us down the corridor. “Will negotiations continue tomorrow?”
“For a few more days, I expect.”
I frowned. “You’re surrendering to every request.”
“You are worth everything I’ve offered,” he said with a hum. “But these things take time. We can have all taxes and details mapped out, but each must be discussed, dissected. And there are matters I haven’t yet raised with Nereus.”
“Such as?”
“When the dragons arrive in Radaan, they’ll be stationed in the Craggs. But—will any of the five be female? Am I risking dragonlings in my mountains?”
I pursed my lips. Father could easily keep the females in Draconia. Kalepsi, Naneki, and Naksula could remain on the island without issue. “Do youwantdragonlings in Radaan? There’s no guarantee they’ll lay elsewhere. Though the Andeluith is tall enough, they might be tempted.”
“I’m neither opposed nor inclined.” He shrugged, and the chains on his mantle clinked together. “But if they’re born in my realm, I’d be expected to claim them.”
