LXI
"What in Khearia was that?" Thomas demanded of Riley as soon as the dining room door shut behind them. "That was reckless, Riley. Unbelievably reckless!"
?"What's happened has happened, okay?"
?"No! Not okay! You can't do fuck us all over like that and then say 'well, it's already happened now'— that's not how this works."
?"You should all be thanking me," Riley snapped. "Llwyd is alive, Duke Straton has changed sides, and we now know the Adeia temple is pulling the strings. The widows aren't even needed anymore, fuck them."
?James plucked a cloth from a maid walking past, ignoring her fearful wide eyes, using it to wipe most of the blood off his hands. His clothes had also become tainted. He hoped there were some spare.
?"And you," Thomas turned his accusations to James. "Killing a woman so violently like that, you're disgusting."
?James was unmoved by the insult. "Woman or not, she was a problem."
?Thomas clearly didn't see it the same way. His glower would've intimidated a weaker man.
?"You're achieving nothing by saying these things, Thomas," Riley said. "What's done is done."
?James agreed with such a sentiment. Riley had indeed been reckless, emotional and unpredictable, but the results had been good. They would be better off cherishing their good luck rather than scourging themselves into hysteria.
?"That's so easy for you to say when it was your fuck-up, Riley. If it had been any other one of us, you would be the one making a fuss."
?Riley kissed his teeth, not entertaining such a claim.
?The others were horrified also, but Alex's feelings seemed more complicated than the rest of them. Stiff angry shoulders, clenched fists, a wounded expression on his face; as if what he'd seen was akin to betrayal. Unfortunately for him, James hadn't done anything to apologise for.
?So, without offering any empty words, James began to walk back to the guest room. The men cautiously followed.
?"You murdered her," Alex said.
?James kept walking.
?"Why the fuck did you do that?" Alex kept going. "She was pleading for her life."
?James stopped and turned to face Alex. "I don't understand what the problem is, Alex. She was Fabian's rat."
?"She had a daughter," Alex stressed. "She was trying to protect her family."
?James scrutinised him, his expression serious. "Don't you think you're being hypocritical right now?"
?"What?"
?"First time we met, I watched you slaughter several bandits. Do you not reckon they were also trying to provide and protect their families?"
?"That's different," Alex insisted, encroaching into James' space. "It was self-defence. I had no other choice. That was a careful decision I made. What you did was thoughtless!"
?James raised his eyebrows. "And your ex-lover?"
?Alex's jaw clenched.
?James wouldn't yield. Their faces were a hair's width away and his body was involuntarily bristling from having someone aggressive that close to him. It was uncomfortable.
?Riley strolled up and grabbed Alex by his bicep, pulling him back. "Leave him be, Alex."
?Alex whipped his arm away, freeing it. He took a step back, outraged.
?"Do you agree with him, Riley?" he demanded.
?"Yes. Yes, I do, actually. He did the right thing."
?"The fuck he did!"
?James sighed. It was clear that only Riley would defend his actions. The others were holding their tongues. They'd all thought he'd gone too far.
?"She knew my identity and had contact with my brother," James explained. "This was also self-defence."
?"You had the means to imprison her." Alex jabbed his finger into James' face. "To subdue her without taking her life. There was no need for bloodshed."
?James grew frustrated. He took a step forward, countering Alex's assault. Alex flinched, startled by the confrontation.
?"Let's say I did imprison her," James posed.
"Now what, Alex? What do you think would happen to her daughter if Fabian realised she stopped contacting him?
Do you think he'd let her go? Why do you think I used a knife instead of Eris?
It's because the only way her daughter had a chance of survival in this situation is if her mother's dead body is found. "
?Alex's lips thinned into a straight line. "That wasn't your decision to make."
?"That bitch had lost the privilege to choose the moment she became a danger to me. And her sacrifice gave me an opportunity to scare the duke into submission, earning his testimony. Her death was infinitely more valuable than her life."
?Alex recoiled, physically retreating. "Value...?" he said, horrified by such an idea. "You're callous. A monster."
?"And you're selectively blind," James spat. "I was an assassin the first day we met and I still am today. The fact that you chose to conveniently forget that isn't my problem."
?They stared each other down, Alex's shoulders rising and falling with the heaviness of his breath. James was defiant, confident in his decision. Alex broke eye contact first, defeated, looking to the ground, face crumpled, having nothing left to say.
?James didn't like arguing with Alex so severely. It wounded them both. But, as Riley had said, what was done was done. They couldn't get caught up in what had happened. What mattered was what was next.
?"Fletcher," James barked. "Send a bird over telling them what happened. Duke Straton was working for the temple and he will now testify for us."
?"I'll go with him," Thomas said.
?"No, you will keep an eye on the duke," James ordered. "Yufus will go with Fletcher because I will not put someone bribeable near that man. Riley will walk back and forth so we can check your safety without having you leave your post."
?Thomas wasn't happy but he didn't argue back, nodding in confirmation.
?"If the servants complain, defer them to Duke Straton." James' lips quirked up wryly. "Though, I doubt any will challenge you. The servants' gossip mill is quick, and that maid was very loud."
?Alex's eyes scrunched shut.
?They went their separate ways. Fletcher had shot Alex a panicked look before he left, but Alex waved him off. It left James, Riley and Alex alone.
?James resumed his brisk pace, his bare feet quiet on the flat marble. He could hear the other two follow.
?"What do we think, Riley?" James asked. "Will he keep his word?"
?"I think so, but I don't know so. We risk him changing his mind as he stews."
?"It's a possibility," James allowed. "His daughter will be home soon, so he'll be scared for her. If he knows what's good for them, he'll keep in line."
?Alex chose that moment to speak up again. However, his tone was damper this time, more miserable. "You'd trust the duke to turn but not the maid?"
?"Yes."
?The maid was a desperate woman and her most valuable leverage was in the hands of Fabian. Turning her hadn't even been a consideration. James did have a soft spot for female servants, but he trusted them no more than their male counterparts.
?Riley's steps quickened and he came beside James. "I never would've guessed the Adeia temple was involved."
?James bit the inside of his cheek, weighing the new information in his head.
"It makes sense in retrospect," he said.
"Swaying the public opinion against red eyes to tie their loose ends, and now against the pale Esparians, too, as we brace for a crafted invasion.
The temple has no control over our military so they hired the mercenaries.
The fact Harrison was in Athel's Lynn is significant; no doubt he knows they're in the game, too. "
?"Why go through all this trouble, though?"
?"Excellent question."
?They reached the door to the second guest room. Riley paused before he opened it, his palm stilling on the handle. He let go, turned around, and held his hand out in the air. James studied it.
?"Thank you for having my back in there," he said, sincerely.
?James smiled and took it, gripping it firmly. "Thank you for not rightfully punching me over what I said."
?"I still want to. But, hey," Riley leaned in closer, looking him in the eye. "When?"
?"Soon," James replied.
?Riley nodded. He gave James' hand one last squeeze and then released it.
?"I still hate you, by the way."
?James grinned. "I know."
?"I'll get my revenge."
?"I don't doubt that you will. I'll watch out for it."
?Alex pushed past, in between them, shoving the door open. "Go in, already."
?James and Riley shared a look.
?"So, what are we doing next?" Riley asked.
?James locked the door behind them. "We're waiting for Mererid to get home. The duke will be more controllable with her around. I did remember correctly; he's fiercely protective of his family."
?"Now that I know Llwyd is alive, I feel inclined to agree. Today is a bloody good day."
?"Do all royals value people by their utility, or is it just you two?" Alex asked. He was standing by the window, gazing out at the courtyard.
?"I'm not a royal," Riley reminded him, his tone chipper.
?James was becoming annoyed by Alex's emotional lamentings. He needed Lord Alexander Chamberlain, a noble soldier, someone he could rely on. Just then, that man was absent.
?"Alex, I know you're upset. But, for fuck's sake, focus on the mission at hand. The maid died, so sad. But now we want to focus on saving other people's lives. Can you do that for me?"
?Alex stared at him for a while. To someone else, he would've seemed hard and cold.
James knew better. Alex was grieving— grieving a woman in distress who had only wanted to protect her daughter, put into that position by misfortune and given no other choice.
James was sympathetic, genuinely, but he was also firm. This was not the time.
?"Okay," Alex decided. "For now."
?"Thank you."
?These were cracks that James could fill in another time.
?Alex sighed and then straightened his shoulders, putting aside his grievances. James had to respect his ability to do so. Alex was a gentle and principled soul. It must've been difficult.
?"Fletcher is smart," Alex said. "He'll send a bird to Athel's Lynn first. Some people might still be there. In this case, they could expect to hear back within minutes."
?"That's the best-case scenario," James agreed. "I suggest we proceed with the widows, anyway. There's no guarantee when it comes to the duke."
?"Most definitely. We have no idea what could happen to the rest of our leads."
?They waited eagerly, Riley's excitement causing him to rant on and on, recalling stories about Llwyd. It quickly became irritating, but James didn't have the heart to tell him to stop. He looked healthier than usual.
?Riley left every few minutes to check on Thomas, and the silence that followed in each of his absences was almost unbearable. Alex had not a word to spare James' way.
?But, James would cope. Things were going well. Alex's anger didn't change anything. He would cheer up once he'd seen what James planned for him.
?A tepid knock sounded from the door and Alex pounced towards it, opening it to a slither. Once he'd identified the strangers, he opened the door wider for Fletcher to enter, ordering Yufus to remain outside and guard the door.
?"We've got some good information," Fletcher declared.
?James didn't miss how the scholar gave him a wide berth, tiptoeing around an imaginary perimeter.
?"What is it?" Alex asked.
?"Thankfully, there were still some knights in Athel's Lynn, so we had a few exchanges. King William is apparently in Korcaster, requesting the Royal Council grant him a locked hearing. And Harrison is on his way here to personally escort Duke Straton to this hearing himself."
?James nodded to himself. "A locked hearing. Clever."
?No individual would be able to leave or enter the Curia under locked conditions— which meant no information would reliably be able to leak out until the trial had already concluded.
It was a difficult condition to have granted, however.
The Royal Council believed it was in the people's interest to know what was happening in their government.
King William would have to fight hard for it.
?"It's ideal, but not guaranteed," Fletcher responded. "I imagine he'd plan to attack immediately after its conclusion. King Fabian would hear about the usurpation as soon as the lock lifts."
?"And the widows?" Alex asked.
?"Not a priority. But they told us to proceed anyway. There will be time until Harrison arrives. We should fill it with something productive."
?Alex tried for a smile but it was strained. He ruffled Fletcher's hair. "Good job."
?Fletcher swatted his hand away with a pout, trying to fix his ponytail. "I told you I could be useful."
? ? ? ?
Thomas already knew who was at the lounge door when he heard the predictable knock. Riley opened it before receiving an answer and strolled in with a skip in his step, a lightness in his frame. He came up to Thomas first.
?"I'm still alive," Thomas noted drily.
?"That's nice to know. What's my uncle been doing?"
?"Fuck all. He hasn't moved since the last time you came here."
?Riley hummed in thought, watching the duke for a moment. Duke Straton was still lying down on the sofa, his forearm resting over his eyes. He might as well have been a statue.
?"You're swearing at me. Still in a pissy mood, eh?" Riley said.
?Thomas' tone was flat. "I'm brimming with joy."
?Riley wasn't apologetic in the least. He clapped Thomas' shoulder and then wandered over to his uncle, confidently taking the seat opposite like it was his own house. All manners and social conventions had long since been abandoned.
?Riley was patient in waiting for his uncle to collect himself. He sat there, sipping on tea, murmuring a tune under his breath.
?It wasn't that Thomas sought out to witness their conversation, more than he couldn't help it by proximity alone. Admittedly, he'd become interested in the topic of Llwyd, even if it wasn't an issue that concerned him, simply because he'd heard about the man so often.
?Eventually, the duke relented with a sigh, apprehensively sitting up. His back was slouched, his hair unkempt. He looked as rough as Thomas felt.
?"So, how has Llwyd been?" Riley asked. "It's been a long time since I last saw him."
?The duke crossed his arms, his gaze trained on the floor.
?"He went to Talum to work as a mercenary," he explained. "We had to get him out of the country. King Fabian became... paranoid, unstable. Llwyd wasn't safe there. So, we got him out, staged his death, and I haven't seen him since."
?Riley nodded along to the explanation. "I'm going to go find him after all this," he promised. "And I'm going to beat him bloody. He lied to me for so long."
?"He was born into that situation, you can hardly blame him."
?Riley chuckled mockingly. He took a slow measured sip of his tea, savouring it. "You raised him to be just as cowardly as you."
?Duke Straton clasped his hands together but couldn't contradict Riley's words, no matter how much he seemed to want to.
?"Just don't let Prince Julian get his hands on my son," he warned his nephew. "That man clearly holds a nasty grudge against us."
?Riley shook his head. "A nasty grudge? You did nothing to stop his family's massacre."
?"I didn't have the power to do so," the duke argued. "It was my father's say against mine."
?"If I know Prince Julian, there's nothing he hates more than excuses. You're lucky he showed you mercy."
?The duke snorted. "Mercy? That was blackmail. He slaughtered that poor woman in front of me just to prove a point."
?"For him, that's kindness. Frankly, I thought he was more than justified in doing more."
?The duke regarded Riley with a hard stare. "You've changed," he said. "What happened to you?"
?Riley's smile was steady but he blinked offbeat, a second too early. Thomas noticed. He'd spent enough time around his colleague to catch small fluctuations like that. He doubted the duke saw it.
?Riley said nothing, sipping from his cup. To the duke, it probably seemed like a dismissive gesture. But Thomas knew Riley couldn't bring himself to lie about his dead lover. The word 'nothing' held a lot of weight; he reckoned Riley didn't want to minimise his precious person like that.
?Thomas did find it strange to be that hung up over another man. But, Thomas could believe its sincerity because Riley was far from a sentimental fool. He didn't take Riley's grief lightly. Thomas probably would've behaved similarly if his wife had been murdered.
?"Harrison is coming to collect you," Riley noted, placing the cup on the table. "He's going to escort you with his little army of mercenaries. You'll stand up in front of the Royal Council."
?The duke wrung his fingers together. "They're really that serious?"
?"Deadly so."
?Riley stood, fixing the creases in his kilt. He went to leave, but paused, lingering.
?"Prince Julian told me to advise you against telling your guards about all this," Riley added. "He reckoned you might feel tempted. But, this place is teeming with spies, and I doubt King Fabian, Maurice, nor the temple would let you live if they got a hint you would testify."
?The duke nodded woodenly, despaired. "I understand. Is Mererid home?"
?"James thinks she's pretty," Riley replied, not answering the question. "Very pretty."
?The duke's body bowed forward, his face hiding behind his hands. Without the context, Thomas would've found the sight pitiful. Duke Straton was a fierce man, a frightfully competent one. But, even he wasn't immune to suffering and regret. His mind and flesh were mortal, just like the rest of them.
?"I'll see you again in a little while," Riley said to Thomas, smiling. Thomas rolled his eyes, his stomach feeling sour.
?Riley had reached as far as the door before the duke called for him one last time.
?"Riley."
?Riley cocked his head.
?"Can you tell him... I never wanted any of this to happen."
?Riley sniggered humourlessly at the cheek. "I'm not going to say that. Sleep well, uncle."
?He shut the door behind him.