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She looked at him in surprise that he was speaking to her politely. Osiel was like that, though. He believed everyone had knowledge to offer if you were clever enough to find it. We joked that the Rikkert blood must have run thicker in him.
“We have our own stories of when our gods were slaughtered,” Lily explained. “You could compare them with your information as a starting point. Where else would you be able to speak to so many Remnants from all over Maeoris?”
“I think that’s the first time I’ve heard your concubine speak without growling.” Raenisa joked, and Lily shot her a caustic glare.
“You’re a concubine?” Zora asked, her eyes widening. “Why did you become a concubine? What’s it like when—“
“Zora...” Oz warned, and she stopped talking to peer at her twin.
“What? Was that rude?”
He leaned in close to whisper in her ear, shooting Lily an apologetic grimace.
“What? No slaves where you live?” Lily questioned, sending them an acidic glare. One that Oz matched when he caught my eye and I knew that he’d be giving me an earful later.
Zora shook her head. “No. Sorry for—“ she waved a hand as her cheeks reddened. ”—all that.”
The concubine softened, lifting her chin in acknowledgment of her apology.
Oz’s expression darkened, and I turned around to see Theodas Vennorin approaching, flanked by his brothers, Tykas, and Trevyr. Theodas was the oldest, and he carried himself as such. His face was hard, with cold, blue eyes that could turn ruthless in an instant. Tykas was huge and strong, like an ox, while Trevyr was the opposite of both of them. He was sleek and clever with a sharp tongue and knives always on him, fastidious to the point of fussiness, especially with the silver eye that replaced the one he’d lost. Tykas, despite being the strongest, was the odd man out of the family. The one the others bossed around and forced to do their dirty work.
“Theodas,” I said as he stopped next to me. “Look at you, already walking about. Last I saw you, you looked ready to piss yourself.”
“Charming as always, Theron.” Theodas’ voice dripped with sarcasm. “Maybe if you focused less on your wit, you’d still be Lord Marshal.”
My jaw clenched, and I dug my nails into my palm to prevent myself from lashing out.
“Well,” I drawled, trying to keep my tone steady. “At least I’m not the one who follows commands like a mindless lapdog.”
Theodas’ expression darkened as he stepped closer to me. “If you think I’m merely following orders,” he growled. “Then you don’t know the first thing about amassing power.”
“Not surprising, given his upbringing.” Trevyr chimed in, picking a non-existent piece of lint from his sleeve. “Can’t expect good breeding when you’re raised among pig slop.”
Oz tilted his head, studying the second oldest Vennorin. “Does he think that raising livestock on a country estate is some sort of insult? I’d heard that the Vennorins weren’t too bright, but seeing it in person—“ He clucked his tongue as his twin hid a grin behind her hand. I couldn’t tell if he was being purposely obtuse or not, and neither could Trevyr.
Tykas remained silent, a flush creeping up his neck as he looked over the gathered nobility, as if desperate to be anywhere else. He kept sneaking peeks at Zora and glancing away just as quickly. I stepped back from Lily and nearer to my cousin, my expression darkening.
“What do you want, Theo?” I drawled, taking a sip of my summer wine.
“I wanted to thank you, of course.” A viperish smile spread across his face. “Defeating Rhazien in his own competition—“ He shook out his shoulders in a faux shiver. “Incredible. Made our bout insignificant in comparison.”
Raenisa sneered. “Plenty of time for a rematch.”
“Less than you think.” Trevyr snickered, his silver eye spinning to land on Lily for a long moment.
“I should go. The emperor is expecting me.” Theodas said, straightening his shirt. “Thanks again for knocking your brother out of the running, Theron.”
I scowled after him to find Trevyr staring at Herrath. “Aren’t you coming?”
He shook his head. “I’m where I’m supposed to be.” Of course, he was spying on me as he had been for years.
Trevyr raised a brow over his silver eye and turned, drifting into the crowd after his brother. Tykas opened his mouth once, as if to apologize for his siblings’ behavior, but snapped it closed, following them into the throng, his massive shoulders slumping.
“Well, that was annoying,” Raenisa quipped, draining the last of her glass. “At least we didn’t have to deal with the She-snake.”
A throat cleared, and I turned to find Tannethe standing behind me. Fuck.
“For Ydonja’s sake.” Raenisa flinched, almost dropping her drink.
