9. CHAPTER 9 #2
“We won’t know until we strike a deal.” Ren smiled knowingly. “Peace has been achieved for much less, lest I remind you. Do you truly think this truce with Myros will last?”
I rolled my eyes at him. “Are you giving me history lessons now, Ren?” I took another sip. “I do see your point. If it turns out to be a worthless venture, so be it. But we do stand to gain from using her as leverage.”
“And you need to be careful around her,” Rensford warned. “If she was sent by them or not, we can’t trust her.”
“You don’t think I can handle a little human?” I asked, my hand clasped over my chest in mock hurt. “How you underestimate me, my dear friend.”
Rensford laughed, shaking his head. “You can handle the human, I’m sure of it. But don’t let your guard down. She could have been sent by Kallias to spy. Anything you say around her could easily be information leaked back across the sea.”
“Why don’t we put that to the test?” I asked. “Leak bad information to her on purpose, to discern her true intentions.”
“A noble idea. Wish I had thought of it myself.” It was Rensford now who rolled his eyes.
“Ok, ok. I get it.” I raised my hands in defense. “We stand to gain from her presence. I will be sure to select her as an indenture. No problem. I happen to be in search of a new servant, regardless.”
“I heard that Valerian bedded the last one, and she became with child?” he asked.
I shook my head. “We merely thought she was with child, the whole thing turned out to be a ruse.”
“And where is she now?” Ren asked.
“I haven’t got the faintest idea. Something about being sent off to Skaelwynne?
The rumors swirling around court are that she was put to dragon fire.
As if we would waste our energy on that.
Nobody knows the strength and energy it takes merely to shift, let alone to take to the skies in our dragon forms and harness flame. ”
Ren nodded in understanding. “Perhaps we institute a rule—nobody beds this one.”
“Seeing as she belongs to Kallias, that shouldn’t be an issue,” I replied with a curt smile. I took another sip, finishing off my second glass.
“The market opens tomorrow morning,” Ren reminded me, eyeing my now empty glass. I merely squinted at him in response. “I hear she is a unique beauty,” Ren commented, his gaze flitting to the opened double doors and the enchanting night sky beyond.
“Is that so?” I asked, a smirk curling my lips. “This won’t exactly be a difficult task, then, will it?”
“What did I just say about nobody bedding her?” Ren replied with a laugh and a lopsided grin. “You are incorrigible, Blackwater.”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about, Ren. I will be on my best behavior.”
“I’m sure you will.” He rose from his seat across from me. “Will you try to get some sleep tonight?”
I rested my head back against the chair, my black hair curling against my neck. “I always try to sleep, Ren. That isn’t the problem. The curse simply won’t allow it.”
“Did the new tonic from Azhar help?” he asked, hopeful.
“No.” I shook my head. “Same as always. Though it hurts now more than it ever has in the past. It took so much out of me merely to fly over Stormgaard and Southgate—I imagine if my body will allow it, I will fall asleep the moment my head hits the pillow.”
Ren bit his lip, pensive.
“There is nothing you can do for me, Rensford. The curse will take what it takes until there is nothing left. There is nothing any of us can do about it.”
Ren held my gaze. “I can try to find that mage again—”
I shook my head. “You needn’t waste your time. We never found her the first hundred times we went searching for her. She simply…disappeared. You and I both know the only way to break this curse…and it’s a long shot.”
“Maybe you’ll get lucky and your new betrothed will be your mate.” Ren’s smile was wistful.
“I highly doubt I will be that lucky,” I replied through my teeth. “Though the fact that anyone is willing to marry their daughter off to me, let alone a princess in her own right, is a godsdamn miracle.”
“Tell me about it,” Ren jested. He moved to the door but stopped with his hand on the knob, his back to me. “Just tell me one thing.”
“What’s that?” I asked, rising to stand.
I was exhausted. Bone deep exhausted.
The first day after taking Azhar’s poison had me bedridden, but I hadn’t truly been able to rest. I had been thrashing wildly, hot with fever and agitated.
“Promise me you’ll at least pop out an heir before that curse kills you.
” He turned his head and his gaze fell to my side, as if he could see the wound through the material of my tunic.
The curse was sucking every ounce of energy from me as we spoke.
“Your brothers—though I love them—cannot rule this kingdom.”
“I’ll try, Ren.” I paled as the room before me began to shift. It took a moment for me to realize I was wavering on my feet. My hand fell to my side as I attempted to right myself.
“Do you need—”
“I don’t need help, Ren. I’m fine. I’m just going to go to bed.”
Ren nodded. He clearly didn’t believe me but was unwilling to push further.
Smart man.
The wound in my side sent a scorching pain down my side, all the way through my right leg down to my toes. I pressed my eyes closed, gritting my teeth.
“You won’t be able to keep this from King Mavros much longer.” Ren spoke once more from the doorway, voice soft. “To be honest, I am surprised Emrys or Valerian haven’t let it slip yet. Emrys has every reason to tell him.”
“I know, Ren. It’s…complicated. Emrys—he just—it’s complicated.”
Ren’s gaze fell to the floor. “I understand. He still loves you. But will his love for you overpower his desire for the throne he believes to be rightfully his?”
“Only the gods know.”
I had every intention of bathing after the long flight I had taken tonight, but my legs simply wouldn’t cooperate anymore. I collapsed onto the bed, pulling back the sheet with great difficulty after I was already sprawled atop it.
“Get some sleep, Prince. You’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
“Stealing Prince Kallias’s lover?” I laughed, gaze on the ceiling. “How could I ever forget…”
Ren smiled one last time before turning the handle.
He closed the door behind him with a soft click, leaving me alone with only the night sky and the glow of the lantern beside me.
I had every intention of sleeping on the balcony under the stars tonight, but exhaustion took hold the moment I laid down.
I would be lying if I didn’t admit I was interested in the opportunity this little human would bring with her as she sailed across the Saltale Sea.
She had, possibly unbeknownst to her, sailed right into our waiting hands.
The only things she knew of Gothryn and the Vireth fae were the lies they spilled from their traitorous tongues.
When I finally slipped into a fitful sleep that night, I dreamed of the oddest thing. I was sure I had never seen anyone quite like her with my own two eyes—but there she was—behind my closed lids.
The image branded there.
A woman with ebony hair that fell over her shoulder in curated ringlets.
Her beaded gown the deepest sapphire I had ever seen.
Her cheeks were flushed pink, alluring for more than one reason.
The heat pulsing in my core confused me—was it thirst, or something more?
Blood pumped thickly in her veins, right below the surface.
But that wasn’t what had been so singular about her. It was when my gaze had traversed her body only to finally focus on her face.
Milky skin with wide, kohl-rimmed eyes.
One brown, one blue.