8. Krait
Chapter 8
Krait
A ny respect I had for Queen Sybilla had faded after she’d questioned my approach to dealing with my own staff. She acted as though she were trying to remember every face, every acquaintance. I now understood why her people accepted her even though her nobles did not.
In the old courts, nothing would’ve slighted a noble more than being treated the same as a commoner—she must have offended her nobles’ sensibilities and made them feel too small.
A lump formed in my throat. Not my problem.
El could tote her around the city. I knew better than to think my officer would stay away from the pubs, but at least my warning would make her think twice about the more unsavory options.
When I strode into Umber House, Sybilla followed me but quickly got distracted by a broom and the tapestries of the Vallic Mountains hanging from the ceilings. She wandered off and began chattering with a maid.
I let out a frustrated sigh—she was bent on talking to every damned person in this estate.
“Look what the canals dragged in...” An airy male voice carried from the staircase.
My other officer, Ryn, peeked down over the balcony before descending. While Elsedora liked to be considered my second-in-command, no such role existed. I trusted either of them with the leadership of my city in my absence.
They were the only officers I’d ever appointed for the Sahlms—the only two allowed to speak for me.
“Ryn,” I greeted him. His silver hair was pulled back, but a few stray strands framed his face. He looked as though our arrival had interrupted something—his tunic askew and unbuttoned at the collar.
“Who is that ...?” The interest in his voice was not subtle.
I shook my head. “She is your new assignment. If you bed her, then you lose your cock. We don’t need to complicate things any more with Henosis.”
“Oh, but complications are so very fun,” he teased me. “And I’m assigned to her no less.”
“Ryn, not now.”
“Fine. I’ll keep my hands mostly to myself.” He wiggled an eyebrow. “In more serious matters, you have a trial this coming week.”
I stilled. “What happened?” I was only brought in to make calls on cases when Ryn and Elsedora couldn’t decide on something between themselves.
“A man in the east quarter of Sahlmkar killed his wife—he says it was an accident. But he Death-wielded nonetheless. Something feels off about it though…”
“The decision is simple: he’s sent to the Sahlmkar prison, questioned, and then sent to the guillotine.” I swallowed a lump in my throat.
Sybilla interrupted and stepped up beside me. “Your staff is delightful—not that you would know,” she jabbed.
I sighed.
She straightened and opened her mouth, ready to say more.
“Queen Sybilla, meet Rynall Toth. Ryn, meet the Queen of the Central Corridor—she will be staying in Umber House. Your job is to keep her out of trouble and out of my hair.”
Queen Sybilla’s whole body stiffened, and her hand froze in midair. She appeared hesitant to touch Ryn. Her green eyes widened as though my officer had hung the moon. A dumbfounded expression crossed her features. She outright swooned. I ground my teeth.
“Call me Sybilla,” she breathed out.
“Oh, Sybilla, it’s been a long time since someone’s looked at me like that.” Ryn winked and leaned against the railing, toward her. As he took Sybilla’s hand and kissed it, I wanted to grab him by the collar and drag him back up the stairs.
A pit grew in my stomach. Seeing my ruthlessly flirtatious friend take interest in an objectively beautiful woman had never bothered me before.