Page 48 of Bride of Ash & Dust

Which doesn’t make sense. What the fuck is in Marion that’s worthwhile? Through my marriage to Lilias, he already has a claim on the new mine, which is the only thing in that kingdom worth taking.

“What have you heard?” I ask. “Why do the soldiers think they’re moving?”

“I’ve heard the king of Marion is sick,” Petrys says.

“He’s not,” I reply. “Not that it matters.”

Petrys presses his lips together. A moment later, I hear the heavy footsteps of Bertha, the proprietor of this fine establishment. She hands us both a fresh mug of ale.

“Where’s your lady friend?” Bertha asks in a voice that sounds like it’s coming up through gravel.

“Back at the palace,” I reply.

Bertha laughs. She thinks it’s a great joke we have going on, my claiming to come from the palace. As if anyone from the palace would frequent her dive bar.

“Shame,” Bertha says. “She was a nice girl.”

Petrys stares at me with wide eyes. When Bertha leaves, he leans across the table.

“You brought the princess here?” he whispers.

I wince, then drink my ale. It tastes like horse piss.

“Fucking hells,” Petrys says, leaning back with a wicked grin. “Were you trying to kill her?”

“Just finish your godsdamned report,” I growl.

He frowns again. “Only one more thing of note. The soldiers have been ordered to keep a close lookout for your wife’s brother, Prince Elrick. Apparently, some of them think he’s trying to slip across the border, to sneak into Vsenrog. They’re saying things about him that are, uh, not very flattering.”

I feel cold. Before Malrik pulled me in and announced I’d be marrying the princess of a splinter kingdom in the western mountains, I would have said Vsenrog couldn’t give less of a shit about the entire kingdom of Marion.

But now? The princess of Marion is here, half of Vsenrog thinks the king of Marion is on death’s door, and Syvan’s troops seem especially interested in Marion’s prince and only heir.

“This is not good,” I mutter under my breath.

Petrys spins his mug between his palms. “No,” he agrees. “It’s not.”

He finishes his ale, then winces. “If I had a way of contacting Prince Elrick,” Petrys begins, “which, of course, I do not have. But if I did, I’d tell him to stay the fuck away from Vsenrog.”

I nod. He’s not wrong, but gods, the implications are bitter.

“Malrik already has the kingdom thinking Marion’s king is on death’s door,” Petrys continues. “And you’re married to Marion’s only princess. If her father suddenly passes, Prince Elrick would be the only thing standing between Malrik and a full, legitimate claim to the crown of Marion.”

Petrys holds my gaze long enough for me to get the message.

I sigh. Lovely. I already threatened to murder Lilias’s lover if he shows his damn face in the palace. Why not tell her that she can’t see her only sibling either?

“Now,” Petrys says, as his grin reappears. “Why don’t you ask me what you actually want to know?”

I finish the last of my ale. It burns all the way down. Bitter, nasty shit.

“How—” I begin. My voice sounds like it’s being pinched. “How is she doing?”

Petrys laughs as Bertha reappears with two more mugs.

“I can see why you like her,” Petrys says.

I open my mouth to argue with him, then close it. Petrys knows me well enough to know when I’m lying.