Chapter Eight
Valeris
It took forty-five minutes of horrid pleasantries and listening to the diplomat talk about his marriage to his third wife before I could broach the topic of the Teyre River.
Eyreling talked far too much, and far too little about anything that mattered.
Zandyr leaned against a pillar nearby, watching us.
I knew he wanted to pounce on the alliance but wasn’t sure how to approach without ruining it altogether.
He had too much coin invested in the trade deals surrounding the river.
Ezrielle no doubt lurked nearby as well.
“Lord Eyreling,” I said, interrupting his boring monologue, “I wondered if we might discuss our shipping agreements for the Teyre River.”
He lifted his chin in defiance before setting his full glass aside. “I would think the terms should already be clear, Prince Valeris. Haskelle charges a shipping fee for foreigners to sail down the river. It is the same for all, and Haskelle does not respond well to bribery.”
“Oh, I mean no disrespect.” The patronization in my voice made me nearly vomit, but if I wanted to coerce this man, I needed him to feel as complimented and in control as possible.
“Haskelle has been and continues to be one of the giants of the trading world. You handle your bargains masterfully and never give too much away, always providing equal opportunities for your trade deals but making sure your country remains on top. I thought I might offer you something of greater value than a shipping fee, though.”
He scoffed. “What could be of greater value than a shipping fee?”
I shrugged. “A mutual trade deal. I’ve acquired the rights to the northern quarry. I know Haskelle is in great need of stone to build their new city. If we make a bargain on the ferry passage, I’m sure I could secure a more than favorable deal, maybe even get it for half the price.”
I watched the idea take shape in Eyreling’s eyes. I hadn’t even approached the Andovar about the quarry yet, but it was easier to strike a deal if someone thought you had the advantages you needed.
“What of your own country’s assets and the thriving gem trade? Would we receive a deal on those as well?”
I swallowed my growl. Greed’s unsatiated appetite always hungered for more.
“I’m sure we could arrange something.” I held out my hand. “Do we have a deal, then?”
Eyreling cocked his head, considering the offer.
My smile stiffened, irritated at having to endure his presence for any longer than necessary.
“Gentlemen!”
I threw a glance at the new arrival to acknowledge their presence, wishing them to be anywhere but here, bothering us.
Instead, my jaw clenched at the sight of a woman standing an arm’s length away.
Her bright blue eyes stared into mine with a forwardness I had not encountered before, making me want to step back.
Was it hostility? I stared, her presence a circle interwoven with a series of secrets and puzzles left unsolved.
A familiarity clung to her face, but as I ran through every royal’s and diplomat’s name in my head, I couldn’t place hers.
Thick, white-blond hair cascaded down her back in a series of waves, one curl hanging over her shoulder and the rest circling around her head in many twists and braids adorned by shiny pins.
My throat bobbed. I ran her face through my mind again, haunted by the idea I had met her before, but perplexed as to how I could have forgotten her.
Eyreling stood at her presence, and I followed suit, halfway pulling back my outstretched hand.
Perhaps she was the daughter of a foreigner and could help me secure a handsome alliance, proving my credibility to my father. No crown adorned her head, so she couldn’t be royalty. Perhaps a noblewoman.
Maybe she was free to dance—after I solidified this alliance.
I could make an exception.
Even though my uncle would never let me live it down.
Her gaze drifted to Lord Eyreling, and I frowned at the loss of contact but moved to secure the deal.
“Lord Eyreling,” I began, “are we—”
“My, how lovely you look tonight, miss! Rather striking, I must say.” Eyreling ignored me, all his focus fixed on the new arrival. “What is your name?”
He shifted closer to her, desire glinting in his eyes. I restrained a laugh even as irritation rose within me. The man was over twice her age.
“Analleia Kallistar, sir.” She smiled. “I understand you are Lord Eyreling, Diplomat of Haskelle, if I’m correct?”
Kallistar.
The name held significance, but I didn’t recognize it.
I clenched my jaw. Her iridescently pale skin and hair should be a dead giveaway, but I kept coming up blank even as I searched farther back in my memories.
I studied her as she spoke, easing so smoothly into our conversation as she bantered with the diplomat.
Saying exactly what he wanted to hear. She was all smiles, lovely and full of grace and—
I froze.
Something was off.
“Haskelle is a wonderful country,” she said.
I tuned back into the conversation, latching onto Analleia’s words.
“You are masters at your commandeering of the Teyre River. It is such a brilliant trade opportunity and revenue for your people.”
Eyreling’s chest puffed out, pride filling his face. “You are too kind, Miss Kallistar. In fact, Prince Valeris and I were securing our own alliance along the river. I think it will do both of us much good.”
Analleia’s eyes lit up like a flame in darkness. “Oh, do tell, what sort of alliance?”
A series of warnings rang in my mind, and I opened my mouth to respond but the fool beat me to it.
“Prince Valeris has secured rights to the quarry, and we will exchange passage down the river with a fair price for their stone. Haskelle is in need after all, and this provides us the perfect bargaining chip.”
You fool.
“Lord Eyreling—” I interjected.
“Has he now?” She threw me a quizzical look tinged with a bit of smugness.
“I just spoke with the ambassador over the northern quarry in Andovar and was under the impression they had no intention of making deals at the opening ball this evening, and were hesitant to make any deals with Paravellia. That is a lofty treaty to confirm in these few short hours. When did you secure this alliance?”
Her slyness caught me off guard, and my answer didn’t come quick enough. The damage was already done. She knew exactly what she was doing. She hid it behind a mask of ignorance, but her destruction was purposeful.
“Oh, no bother,” she continued, “but I must say, you’re a smart man, Lord Eyreling.
Why not make an alliance with the quarries yourself?
Cut them a good enough deal they’re willing to make you a bargain.
It removes the middle man and establishes good foreign relations between you and the north.
Paravellia already uses the Teyre River, what more would they have to offer? ”
Any thought of ever dancing with this woman or showing any semblance of interest or admiration evaporated with her words. Anger boiled within me as I clenched my hands into fists, barely able to remain respectable.
“Lord Eyreling,” I cut in, “perhaps we should—”
“Perhaps not.” The greed dissipated from the diplomat’s eyes, now replaced with reason. “I’ve reconsidered your offer, and I’m afraid I will have to withdraw my interest.”
I stood there feeling very much the fool and unable to say anything. It took me a moment to realize the sensation pulsing through my system was shock. Defeat. A feeling I wasn’t used to. Only one other person had ever beaten and completely humiliated me like that before.
“Would you care to dance, Miss Kallistar?” Lord Eyreling extended his arm to her and she accepted.
She flashed a brilliant smile over her shoulder, but to me it was deadly as a goblin’s sneer. “It was lovely to meet you, Your Highness.”
Of all the—
I ground my teeth together, trying to gather my bearings. I looked to where Zandyr smirked at me, having overheard the whole exchange.
My gaze flicked back to the woman as she disappeared into the crowd, strolling away on the diplomat’s arm like nothing had changed.
But everything had.
With one simple phrase, she’d nearly stolen my chance for the throne, jeopardizing the future of my kingdom.