Chapter 4
Roksana
When I arrived at the House of Lillies, the atmosphere was strangely subdued; even the doorman was acting odd. Despite knowing me, he held out a hand, then asked why I was there. A raised eyebrow was my only response, but he got the message and withdrew to open the door.
The shadowed alcoves, designed to hide couples engaged in intimate trysts, were exposed to sunlight streaming through the normally curtained windows. A fresh, cleansing breeze swept through the large banquet hall as the servants removed all evidence of the previous evening’s debauchery.
The daylight revealed every dubious stain hidden during the night, and I didn’t envy the cleaners scrubbing them down. Despite this, the room still held a dignified beauty, as if its tastefully stained-glass windows were too refined to acknowledge such sights.
I greeted the working women, but as I entered a small antechamber, a change to the aether surrounding me made me pause.
With a glance back at the servants, I wondered if they sensed the difference or were oblivious to the protection spells shining over every door.
This is excessive, even with war looming. What’s she afraid of?
I hadn’t been here for some time, busy with Tova’s capture and my geas trial, so the uncomfortable feeling pricking my conscience was easy to recognise. I’d neglected my friend, and no excuse could justify that.
The stiff fabric of my kirtle rustled when I grabbed it to rush upstairs, two steps at a time, heading for the private wing of the house. Mischief danced in my soul as I imagined jumping onto her bed and pestering her until, still half asleep, she told me what was bothering her.
‘Wake up, Ice Queen. We need to talk,’ I called, flinging the door open. My hand was still on the doorknob when a massive shape jerked up from the bed. For a split second, the unfocused, myopic stare distracted me before I saw the knife flying towards my head.
‘Fuck!’ I screamed, slamming the door shut, wondering what a half-naked Irsha was doing in Lily’s bed. What the fuck? How? When did they become lovers?
As impossible as it sounded, I couldn’t deny what I’d seen. Irsha, my Irsha, the shirtless idiot with dishevelled hair and sleepy eyes, who’d aimed a dagger at my head, was in Lily’s bedroom. I couldn’t have been happier … or more worried.
‘Sana! Come back, right now!’ he yelled, and I heard muttered curses from the other side of the door.
‘To see your wrinkled ball sac? Fuck no! Get dressed, this instant.’ I scoffed, holding the door shut while laughter bubbled in my chest.
‘It’s not like you haven’t seen it all before, Trouble,’ he said, his amused voice distorted by the heavy oak door.
‘Except that you were young and pretty back then. I don’t want to taint that memory.’ I was lying through my teeth because I wasn’t blind. Irsha had a body chiselled to perfection by years of fighting.
‘Your king is older, but I don’t see you complaining,’ he said, his steps inching closer.
‘That’s because Reynard is perfection,’ I answered. ‘Are you decent?’
‘Yes, my little prude.’ The roaring laughter that followed made me roll my eyes before Irsha opened the door, fully dressed in black trousers and a matching, heavily embroidered shirt.
It hugged him like a second skin, the high collar digging into his neck.
‘So, why are you storming into Lily’s room? ’
‘Storming in? I came to see my friend. I just wish I’d found the friend I expected. Care to tell me what you’re doing here? Alone and naked?’ I sat on the bed, watching Irsha pour us drinks with the familiarity of long practice.
‘I wasn’t supposed to be alone. Lily wanted to talk, but she received a message and told me to wait in her room…’ Irsha’s gaze drifted to the window, where a heavy curtain blocked the sunlight. ‘I fell asleep, waiting. What time is it?’
‘Fell asleep? Without your clothes? And it’s midday, you shameless libertine,’ I said. Irsha sat next to me, holding out a goblet of wine. ‘Come on, Blade. You know you can tell me. I’m not jealous.’
‘It’s not like that. I was just tired.’ He tugged at the stiff collar of his shirt. ‘She insisted I wear something nice, but this over-styled… It’s uncomfortable, and I don’t carry spare clothes on a job.’
‘Irsha, that is the worst excuse I’ve ever heard, but have it your way.
’ I took a sip of the wine, chuckling into my goblet when a faint blush spread over his cheeks.
Irsha, bless his heart, was peculiar around women he liked.
Behind this confident facade was a man who questioned every smile, every gesture, knowing they could be a lie.
He told me once about his mother. She was a courtesan who smiled for her clients and cried in front of her son. ‘I never want to be the reason for a woman’s tears,’ he’d told me when we were both fumbling apprentices. My Irsha lived by this creed.
‘No matter, Blade. I needed to see you anyway. We have to talk about the Brotherhood. There are matters needing your attention. Not here, though.’ I bit my lip because sitting in Lily’s bedroom without her felt like an intrusion, even though I knew she wouldn’t mind.
All the humour bled from Irsha’s features. He stood up, extending his hand. ‘Let’s go to the kitchen. It’ll be empty at this time of day.’ The change was impressive. The moment I mentioned the Brotherhood, the playful rogue was replaced by Irsha the assassin.
‘Boyan’s worsened?’ he asked, sitting down at the wooden table.
‘Yes, and Visla returned with nothing, but there’s some good news.’ I paused, letting the words sink in. ‘Boyan named his successor.’
Irsha sucked in a breath. ‘You?’ he asked with pride shining in his eyes, frowning only when I shook my head. ‘Please tell me it’s not Tymon.’
I leaned forward and placed my hand on his cheek. Irsha tilted his head, a forced smile spreading on his lips as he waited for my answer. Does he realise he’s grinding his teeth?
‘No one ever could be as good as you.’ I smirked, pulling back and placing my hand on my chest before bowing respectfully. ‘Congratulations, Disciple Wilkor. You are the next Grand Master, and I, your loyal shadow mage.’
‘But he told me he– You… I don’t understand.’
The heir apparent stood up and walked to the window overlooking the busy street, opening it wide and taking in deep, shuddering breaths. His fists clenched when he turned to me. ‘Roksana, I’ll follow you. Don’t give this up because of me.’
I swallowed hard, fighting back the emotions overwhelming me. My foolish Blade, ready to give up what he’d always wanted for me. Only, I’d never wanted it, and it was so satisfying that he’d hear it from me.
‘I was never in the picture, Irsha. Boyan wasn’t offering it to me because of my merits but because of his guilt. The title was always yours.’ I walked closer, placing a hand on his shoulder, feeling the slight tremor running through his body.
‘So, he chose me.’ With this simple statement, Irsha seemed to grow, his shoulders squared, and his features glowed with pride. ‘I can improve it, Sana – the Brotherhood, our position in Truso. I will continue what Boyan started before the graveyard cough robbed him of his strength.’
‘Yes, you’ll make us both proud,’ I said softly, never happier that I’d rejected Boyan’s proposal.
‘And you’ll stand beside me?’ He clasped my hands in his. There, in a brothel kitchen, we formed a pact that transcended our already strong bond.
‘Always. Someone needs to guard that flabby arse of yours,’ I said, and he roared with laughter, pulling me into a tight embrace.
‘I love you, Trouble. In this fucked-up world, you always have my back,’ he whispered in my ear.
I gasped, but Irsha didn’t let me go. ‘Thank you, Sana. I know it wasn’t Boyan’s decision.
It was yours, and I won’t fail your trust.’ When he released me, I stood stunned, while a calculating look replaced the warmth in his eyes. ‘When’s he going to announce it?’
‘Why?’ I bounced his question, still trying to collect my thoughts after his revelation.
He smiled at my confused look. ‘I’m not rushing things; too many support Jagon. I need to gather my allies – just a precaution, of course, but it’s always better to work from a position of strength.’
‘Today, but first, he’s going to tell the Brotherhood I’m his daughter,’ I said, noticing his lack of surprise. ‘But I’m guessing you already knew that. Since when?’
‘Since the journey to retrieve Tova.’ He grinned. ‘I saw how he treated you. Besides, you both have the same death-cold stare when things don’t go your way.’
We paused when the door creaked open, and a pale-faced Lily walked in. ‘It seems I missed something. What are you talking about?’ She walked to the counter and poured herself a glass of water as Irsha rushed to her, pulling back a chair so she could sit.
Irsha grinned. ‘That Sana is the Old Man’s daughter.’
Lily nodded, and I frowned. This lack of reaction was concerning, and even more so her shaking hands as she finally took a tremulous sip from the cup. ‘If you’re happy, then I’m glad for you. Family is important,’ she said flatly.
Irsha stood behind her, silent. He was close but not touching, his fingers flexing, the pose of a man who knew something was wrong but had no idea what to do. He sent me a questioning look, but I was none the wiser.
Lily’s query broke the uncomfortable silence. ‘I wanted to ask you if I could hire more of your men.’
‘Of course.’ Irsha’s voice was soft and warm like molasses, while his large hand landed on her shoulder. ‘I’ll send more as soon as I return to my chapter. You look tired; why don’t I take you to bed?’
Whether this slip of the tongue was intentional or not, Lily smiled, the first genuine reaction since she’d walked into the kitchen. Colour tinted her cheeks when she turned towards him. ‘I would like that. We can discuss the other arrangements later,’ she said, and Irsha froze.