AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Besides, I had plenty of time to rest—or rather, come to terms with what I’m going to do tonight.
The truth is, I’d simply rather not dance. I never cared for it as a teenager. Less so now.
“Shame. I would have liked to see you dance.”
He’s flirting, but it’s inoffensive enough—some light teasing, a smile. I don’t mind it, though I’m never fond of men who feel entitled to counting on our sex for entertainment.
“I’m terrible at it,” I confess, surprising myself with my own honesty. It is a flaw. Admitting to it isn’t like me. Maybe there’s something in my wine. “You’re not missing much.”
“Ha!” The chuckle out of his throat seems unbidden. “Well, then I’m truly sorry to miss it. Still, there’s always tomorrow.”
For the first time since he offered me this drink, my smile drops. There’s little chance of a tomorrow where I’d embarrass myself attempting to follow the rhythm of the unfamiliar tunes the musicians play from every corner of the immense ballroom. Not if I can manage to do what brought me here tonight.
I need to get a grip. What does it matter if this man is charming and entertaining? I’m here on a mission and he’s a tool I can use, nothing more.
I amend my expression, schooling it into a soft smile. “I’m unaccustomed to this place. I’m dying to get back to my rooms to rest, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t greet our host before retiring. When does your king usually join his court in affairs such as these?”
“The king does as pleases him,” my companion replies. “But I see several members of his inner circle.”
“Oh?” I scan the crowd, but everyone’s unfamiliar to me.No one truly stands out. I can recognize some Alleans and Nyxarish by the colors they choose to wear, but half of the guests don’t adhere to tradition, choosing bright fabric for no other reason than style.
If the king has close allies, I ought to know about them. We’re so unprepared for this assignment. Part of the reason is that the shade kingdom’s capital is so very far from Allea. Distance makes it easier for him to keep his secrets. But our forces have captured some of his soldiers, interrogated his spies and the like. They rarely share anything useful, loyal to the monster—or too scared to betray him.
Doryn leans closer, his mouth inches from my ear. I can feel the warmth of his breath as he speaks. “See the tall, cantankerous man near the window?”
I follow the direction of his gaze. “Dark hair, and without a jacket?”
He wears nothing but a fine shirt, open at the throat, despite the occasion. We were told to dress formally.
“That's the king’s first advisor, Vessorian Stormford. They were nursed at the same breast and are seldom seen separately. This is a rare sight. I hear they even share their conquests.”
I huff an exasperated sigh. “Men.” The strength of my disdain is encompassed in that single word.
Doryn titters. “Surely not all men deserve such scorn.”
“Enough of them,” I grumble. “So, if the advisor’s here, the king’s coming shortly?”
“Mmhmm. He’s likely not far at all. And there,” he tilts his chin toward a dais in the far end, empty of anything but an unoccupied throne, “is Silver, the head of the king’s guard.”
I blink, seeing no one matching that description. “Where?”
“Seated on the stairs.”
The only person on the stairs is a wisp of a girl, with short green hair casually crouched at the bottom of the dais. As I gasp, she stares straight at me, silver eyes flashing.
“You’re joking.”
Doryn lifts his chin. “You don’t believe a woman could occupy her station?”
“I don’t believe a man would assign one,” I correct.
Especially not a king. Especially not the king of darkness and horror and misery.
“Yet, she is,” Doryn tells me softly.
I nod, memorizing her distinctive features. She’s the one to watch, then. If she’s earned that post despite her sex, she must be lethal indeed.
“Mayhaps our king will surprise you,” my new companion adds.
