Page 112 of The Last Syphon

She inclined her head and quickly rushed back through the crowd to return to Prince Walder’s side.

“What were you doing?” he asked with a frown as she stepped up onto the dais.

“Getting a drink. I told you that.”

He opened his mouth to respond, but Sentinel Orion appeared and bowed at the waist. “Forgive my intrusion, my Prince, but Lord Howling and Lady Armanie have requested to conduct the meeting before the night progresses much further.”

Prince Walder cursed. “Bring them to my office.”

Sentinel Orion bowed and rushed off.

“You waste your time, my Prince,” Lord Villani commented almost absently, his cold, dead eyes remaining on the crowd of people before him, sweeping over every face, every being assessingly. “They will not render aid.”

Aid? With what? Inara couldn’t help but wonder.

Prince Walder’s gaze sliced to the man in question. “You do not know that.”

“If it were me, I would not,” he responded coldly. “I would let them figure it out for themselves or perish. Both options do nothing but benefit me. Why waste time and resources when it does not need to be done? Besides, I still think your worry is for naught. You fret too easily. There is no evidence to suggest we are in danger.”

“As much as it pains me, I happen to agree with him,” Lady Ophera added, playing absently with the expensive silver chain around her neck. “Just because none of the scouts have returned does not mean something bad has happened to them. They could have been killed by the Borderlanders. We all know what a vile and barbaric people they are. No offence, dear,” she threw to Inara as an afterthought.

Inara was far too engrossed in the conversation to care about what she said. “What are they talking about?” she whispered to Prince Walder. “Where did you send scouts?”

The prince’s lips pressed into a hard line. His gaze shifted left, and she followed his line of sight to see Sentinel Orion lead Lord Howling and Lady Armanie into his office. He stood and, without uttering a farewell to the other High Council members, stormed off, Tydus hot on his heels.

Inara rushed to follow. Fraener squawked and shifted to his miniature form, quickly zooming forwards to land roughly on her shoulder. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on? Your crypticness is freaking me out a little.”

Of course, the man did not answer her. “Remain vigilant during the meeting. Just because we are on relatively good terms with the neighbouring kingdoms does not mean all is well.” He stopped suddenly and spun to face her. The abruptness of it almost made her body collide with his. “And no matter what you hear, you are not to repeat it. To anyone. Understand?”

“Got it.” Felix didn’t count.

“Including your…friend.” Damn. It was like he could read her mind.

She crossed her fingers behind her back. “I swear it.”

His eyes narrowed suspiciously, like he didn’t believe it for a second but did not want to waste more time arguing about it. He nodded and turned, resuming his marching.

Inara didn’t think she’d ever been more curious than right in that moment. She quickened her pace to catch up with him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

“Lord Howling, Lady Armanie. The Crown thanks you for your presence here this eve,” Prince Walder began, interlocking his fingers on his desk. “As I’m sure you are aware, there is something of grave importance that we must discuss.”

Standing behind Prince Walder, Inara had a perfect view of the room and everyone in it. Lord Howling’s Vassals were not permitted inside, but his two guards were, both standing stoically behind their Charge with a no-nonsense attitude dripping from them. The man’s Guardian was now awake, slithering across his body, moving up over his shoulder, around the back of his neck, and down the front of his chest, constantly in motion. Inara wasn’t sure if the creature was playing off his Chosen’s mood. Was Lord Howling nervous, uneasy, and his Guardian’s almost erratic movements a reflection of that?

Lord Armanie’s guard—the big, tall brute of a man—was behind her, almost expressionless. No, not almost. Completely. Inara couldn’t get a read on him, and it set her on edge. Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. He stood with an almost eerie stillness—something that wasn’t humanly possible. Her magic rose within her at the unknown threat the man seemed to be, and she kept it humming just beneath the surface, ready to use at a moment’s notice if necessary.

“Well, Prince Walder, you have my queen intrigued.” Lord Howling leant back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other in a relaxed, unbothered gesture. “She desperately wished to attend a grand event such as this herself, but as I’m sure you are aware, running a kingdom can be quite tiresome. I myself could never do it. Far too much work, in my opinion, although⁠—”

“Must we waste time with idle chit-chat?” Lady Armanie barked out. “If there is an issue, let us get on with it. Tell us why you have summoned us here.”

Inara instantly decided that she liked the older woman.

Prince Walder nodded respectfully. “There is an urgent matter unfolding in the south.”

“The south?” Lord Howling scoffed. “You mean the Borderlands? What? Those barbaric people finally managed to organise themselves, have they? What do they have, an army of drunks and criminals? How utterly terrifying.”

A flicker of irritation shot through her. Inara clenched her hand into a tight fist to refrain from lashing out. The prejudice of her people extended far and fucking wide, it seemed.