Chapter 19 #2
I lean closer, offering my best disarming grin. “It’s been a while since he and I bantered. I’m due a reminder I outmatch him.”
A low laugh cuts through the rose-scented air, the sound curling around me like the fragrance of crushed petals. “Still delusional, I see,” Quin calls, his voice unmistakably dry. “Let him through.”
I’m guided to the pavilion and spring up the steps, eager to see a friendly face.
Well, a face.
Quin sits bent over a chessboard, the weight of his thoughts evident in his pinched brow. His fingers hover over a black rook, and descend slowly—maddeningly always in control.
His gaze lifts as I approach, catching me mid-step. For a moment, neither of us speaks, the tension between us held taut. Then, after some deliberation, he moves the rook forward. “Took you a while,” he murmurs, as if we’d arranged this meeting and I’m late.
“I didn’t enter the royal city to spend my days looking for a mere merchant official.”
His fingers pause around a pawn. I’m no chess player—barely know the pieces—but the concentration coming from Quin suggests his next move is a challenging one.
I sling myself on the other side of the table, sizing him up.
He looks different today. His deep blue robe, a notch more exquisite than anything I’ve seen him in before, suits his distinguished figure; even seated, he gives the impression of height, of presence.
Grinning harder, I reach over the board and smooth the edge of his robe where it’s folded at the shoulder. “Extra fancy today. Must be meeting the king.”
His dark eyes clash with mine, a shivery gleam in them.
His hand snaps up, catching mine before I can withdraw. For a moment, the warmth of his touch seeps through the fabric of my glove, and then his cold words seep deeper.
“The king is close.”
“Thanks for the warning.” I peer out over the roses towards the king’s house, lowering my voice. “I’ll keep you company for a bit but at the first sight of his entourage, I’ll need to flee.”
Quin’s eyebrows lift.
I nudge the white king on the board. “I’m not really meant to be roaming around here. And I have complicated feelings about him.”
Quin turns the board and moves a knight to protect the king.
“Don’t you want to know why?” I ask.
“I’m fairly sure I can guess,” he says.
I slump an elbow on the table and drop my jaw into my hand. “He’s Nicostratus’s much-loved brother. So, I’m curious. But I’m afraid it means I have to like him. And . . .”
Those demanding eyes jump to mine.
I sigh. “Best I steer clear or I’ll get myself in trouble.”
“I’m sure you’ll manage that regardless.”
I throw my hands up in exasperation. “He actually punished an akla for wanting to give her brother a funeral.”
“Missing any key details?”
“She might have tried to leave the royal city to do it, but—”
“Escape is punishable by death,” Quin interjects. “It’s a necessary measure to protect the king and the kingdom. And the akla herself of course. A king must ensure his people’s safety.”
“There should be some leniency, surely.”
“Did he execute her?”
“Well, no.” I frown. “She ended up wet and forced to kneel for half the day. It’s outrageous.”
“There’s more to it.”
“Are you seriously on his side?”
Quin picks up a black pawn and advances it with a smirk. “We see things similarly.”
“What else justifies punishing a grieving girl?”
“The canals are extremely dangerous right now. The king’s intent is to prevent any more tragedies.”
“Why not just control the wyverns better?”
“He’s not always present when they attack.”
“Sounds convenient.”
Quin’s eyes narrow. “Doesn’t it.”
“You make it seem like the king’s actions come from a place of concern.”
“Do you doubt that?”
“I’ve seen the state of his aklas. They’re in constant pain from standing all day.”
“Is that so?”
“He doesn’t even give them a day off for the spring gala.”
“I’m sure he has reasons.”
“If he weren’t . . . himself, I’d give him a piece of my mind.”
Quin’s lips curl into a half-smile as he places his bishop on the board. “You don’t hold back with me.”
“You’re not that intimidating.”
Quin’s head snaps up.
I turn the chessboard for him. “I mean, you’re moody, but not really terrifying.”
A pawn falls under his touch.
I pick it up, and Quin stares at me as he retrieves it. After a moment, he smiles. “You’re not even a little afraid?”
I pause. The royal city is certainly ruthless, and I fear the consequences of failure—whether in my studies or schemes.
But I’m stuck in this game now and there’s no way out but to win.
For that, I’ll use all my wit and confidence.
I meet his gaze and affect a boisterous laugh. “Afraid of you? Not even a little.”
His eyes gleam as he drums his fingers on the table. “I dread discovering what you might do with this information, but there’s pearl heart in the king’s garden; it can significantly boost one’s energy. It could be a game-changer for the aklas.”
“Really?” I lean in. “Pearl heart? There’s some here?”
“One plant, by the king’s bedchamber.”
“Perfect.”
Quin arches a brow, suspicion sharpening his features. “And how, pray tell, do you plan to harvest this perfect plant from the king’s own garden?”
I lean closer, my voice dipping into a conspiratorial whisper. “When the moon’s my only witness.”
His lips twitch, almost forming a smile. “Foolish as ever.”
“Efficient,” I counter. “You should try it sometime.”
He leans forward, the air between us thickening. “Perhaps I will. Just to see how you fare.”
“Tonight. If you’re still here.”
“I’ll be here awhile, in fact.” Quin’s knight sweeps across the board, cornering the white king with merciless precision.
He leans back, hands folded, his expression unreadable save for the faintest curve at the corner of his mouth. “Checkmate.”
I snatch the white king before he can reach it, spinning it between my fingers with a grin. “You’re awfully smug for someone playing himself.”
“This is just a warmup,” Quin murmurs, his voice holding repressed laughter. His gaze locks with mine. “Next, I play with you.”