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“I wouldn’t dare presume otherwise.”
The look she gave him said that she didn’t believe that for a heartbeat. Taking hold of Zarrah’s arm, he inclined his head to the women and started toward the door. “Which room do you want me to put her in?”
“The one at the end of the hall has bars on the window. And a secure door. It will do.” Then Coralyn eyed Zarrah. “I’ll arrange for more appropriate attire.”
“Excellent.” He edged toward the door, but Coralyn’s hand latched onto his arm with surprising strength.
“You aren’t going anywhere until we discuss the matter of compensation, Keris.” Gesturing to a servant, she rattled off instructions as pertained to Zarrah’s attire, then opened the door and barked at the two guards outside, “Take the prisoner to the room at the end and stay with her until I arrive to inspect the security.”
Neither guard argued—they knew better than to cross Coralyn—one taking Zarrah’s arm and leading her out, the servant trailing after them.
“Sit,” Coralyn said. “Have tea with us.”
Equal parts annoyed and curious about what the harem wanted from him, Keris obliged, sipping from the steaming cup that Lestara handed to him and waiting while the women settled themselves. His father had somewhere around fifty wives, but only twelve were currently present, playing court to their unofficial queen. Never mind that of all his wives, Keris’s father despised Coralyn the most.Meddlesome, sour-tongued old hag,he always called her, but not even Silas Veliant was stupid enough to attempt undermining the harem’s order.
“You might have noticed that we are hosting another prisoner,” his aunt finally said. “King Aren Kertell of Ithicana.”
“King no longer, I’m told.”
One of her eyebrows rose, and he added, “I witnessed a portion of Serin’s performance with him in the gardens. There’s nothing I can do about it, if that’s what you’re suggesting. My father is more likely to listen to the harem’s complaints than mine.”
“I’m aware.” She sipped her tea. “Silas has forbidden any of us to speak to Aren, but you are under no such restrictions. There is information we hope he can provide us.”
He eyed her for a long moment. “About Lara, you mean?”
“Yes. And the rest of your sisters.”
Keris had been nine when his father had taken Lara and his half sisters away without any explanation. All the five- and six-year-old daughters stolen from the harem, their fates kept secret until last year when his father had arrived back in Vencia after a trip to the desert, and in his company, one of the missing girls.
Lara.
She’d immediately boarded a ship and sailed off to Ithicana, the bride destined to fulfill Maridrina’s half of the Fifteen Year Treaty between Ithicana, Maridrina, and Harendell. Upon his return from the nuptials at Southwatch Island, his father had explained that she and her other sisters had been kept in a secret compound in the Red Desert in order to protect them from Valcottan assassins. The others, he’d said, would continue to reside there until he’d found appropriate matches for them.
Lies, on every level, though the truth hadn’t been revealed until his father invaded Ithicana using a plan of Lara’s invention, his sister apparently having been trained by Serin himself as a spy. And a deadly one at that. “Lara’s either dead or a ghost on the wind. And my other sisters are still in their secret compound in—”
“If that’s where they are, then why is Serin hunting them?” Coralyn interrupted. “And why is he hunting Lara?”
Keris’s jaw tightened.Loose ends.His father hated leaving anyone alive who might cause him trouble in the future. But why did his father have cause to doubt the young women he’d turned into fundamentalists who blindly followed his orders, no matter the cost? “Don’t you think if Aren knew where Lara was that he’d gladly give her over?”
“He probably would, if he wasn’t in love with her.”
Keris huffed out a laugh. “Maybe he was once, but Lara stabbed him in the back. Betrayed him and Ithicana, costing him his throne, his liberty, and the lives of countless of his people.” As he blinked, Keris saw the light fading from Raina’s eyes. Lara had killed her as surely as if she’d wielded the blade herself. “He’d have to be a damned fool to still care for her.”
“I’m not unaware, Keris. Yet during that despicable scene in my gardens, Serin tricked Aren into believing the girl he was torturing was Lara. And he pleaded she be spared.”
More than pleaded.
The vision of Aren on his knees, shouting,Pull out the damn gates,filled Keris’s head, and he frowned. “If it is so, then he’s not going to give up Lara’s whereabouts to you, me, or anyone else. He has no reason to trust us.”
“Then find a way to give him one so that we might find out what he knows of the harem’s lost daughters,” Coralyn said. “That is the price of our hospitality for your Valcottan.”
If his father or Serin caught him meddling with the Ithicanian king, it wouldn’t go well for him, and as it was, Keris needed to focus on negotiating with the Empress. Needed to focus on getting Valcotta free. But he knew the harem was dangerous if crossed, and if he didn’t pay their price, it wouldn’t be long until afreakaccident took Valcotta’s life. “Fine. But accomplishing this will be difficult. Maybe even impossible.”
Coralyn reached across the table and patted his cheek. “You’ve always been cleverer than the Magpie, Keris. I have every faith you’ll deliver.”
“I’m glad you do.” He rose to his feet. “Take care of my Valcottan.” And without waiting for a response, he exited the room.
He had a negotiation to begin.
