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“I can’t say I kept track.”
Telean stepped through the door. Her shoulders seemed more hunched than usual, as if the weight of the world were pressing down.
“I have been speaking to the servants about the queen,” she said. “One of them is distantly related to a woman I knew in Crawyth. I will attempt to find out whatever I can.”
“Thank you.” I glanced at Lorian. “Are we ready?”
He gave me a slow, feral smile. “We’re ready.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
In the early hours of the next morning, while most of the castle was asleep, Cavis took Telean and Asinia back to the inn, along with all our luggage.
I stood by the window and watched their carriage leave while Lorian ran his fingers through my hair. I arched my neck, chasing his fingers as if I were the wildcat he’d named me.
“Are you ready?” he murmured.
I smiled up at him, pleased to finally be leaving this place. “Oh, I’m ready. Are you?”
“I’m always ready to play with you, wildcat,” he purred. “Especially when you’re putting arrogant human bastards in their place.”
My smile widened. A knock sounded on the door. Lorian’s eyes glittered with suppressed amusement.
“Come in,” he said.
A messenger stepped into the room. “The king asks that you join him for breakfast.”
I was relatively sure he hadn’t put his request in such polite terms. “That sounds lovely,” I said.
We followed the messenger down the hall, where one of Eryndan’s guards opened a door.
Eryndan and Rekja sat at a table laden with plates. The old king’s face was purple, and when he looked up, his eyes glittered with fury.
Perfect.
I sauntered toward the table, smiling at Lorian as he nudged a servant out of the way and pulled my chair out himself. The silence stretched as we both sat.
“You,” Eryndan hissed, his gaze on me.
Lorian went still in that fae way of his. I nudged him with my foot beneath the table.
Rekja pinched the bridge of his nose. “What is it, Father?”
“The Eprothans crossed into Gromalia to hunt one of the hybrid groups,” he said between his teeth. “Only to be attacked by a group ofborder guardswearingour colors.”
I feigned a wince. “Clearly, your men no longer agree with your choices, Eryndan.”
His face darkened further. Hopefully, he’d drop dead right here, and we could begin negotiations with his son.
Eryndan ignored me, turning to his son. “The Eprothan ambassador is under the impression you are betrothed to the hybrid heir. Do you have any inkling of why he would believe this?”
Rekja’s eyes met mine. I didn’t breathe.
After a long, tense moment, he shrugged. “I have no idea, Father. Likely court gossip that got out of hand.”
“Sabium believes we arealliedwith the hybrids,” Eryndan snarled.
I smiled, pushed back my chair, and stood, glancing at Lorian. His expression was blank, but amusement gleamed in his eyes when he looked at me. Amusement and lust.
