XXVI | HARD TO STOMACH
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Nyx flashed another grin, though this one felt far more malicious and sharp.
"You may be next in line for queen, and you're excused from Virion's actions, but I doubt you'll do your best to unite Aizasea into collectively believing the truth about Noriya.
After all, Virion and his men did enjoy relishing in their ignorance.
They believed ignorance is power, and that's why your people are dying on the streets from famine and war. "
Celvene bristled. "You don't know me at all."
"I may not, but will you disprove me?"
"I will," Celvene said, gritting her teeth together, "because I don't believe Virion was in the right in how he ruled."
She took care to keep her thoughts clear.
It had slipped her mind that it was likely Nyx could read her mind in some capacity; being a child of Zelphar, she likely had a strong grasp over some sort of magic that allowed her to delve into others' thoughts.
That's what she'd heard in gossip, at least. If she wanted to think poorly of the people in Noriya, she was going to have to do so silently. Even as a precaution.
"I can tell you're crafty, Celvene. Sometimes, at least. Believing you would be an act of a fool. A mortal who has been in Aizasea for as long as you have wouldn't go against Virion's word. They wouldn't believe him to be a tyrant. He had ways of ensuring that."
"Maybe he did," Celvene said, leaning back, "but the same can be said about Zelphar. Perhaps neither of our leaders are the saints we believe them to be."
"Do you prefer tea?" Nyx's gaze flashed to Celvene's wine glass, which was still brimming with liquid.
The question was so sudden and off topic that Celvene almost laughed. She pressed her lips together, keeping her amusement at bay.
"No," she said. "Water is my drink of choice, but no offense..." she trailed off as she glanced at Melantha, who'd looked elsewhere and had her shoulders hunched together. "Uh, I'm not thirsty."
She was going to say "I don't trust you enough to accept a beverage offer," but judging by Melantha's body language, she was embarrassed.
Celvene didn't know if she was embarrassed of her, but she supposed snarky remarks could be saved for Aleksandr once she figured out a way to get back to Aizasea, and Nyx would be spared.
She didn't need to make any enemies here, anyway.
It would make peace negotiations when—or if, she didn't know—a lot trickier.
"I like you, Celvene. You don't crumble under pressure.
And you're stalwart in your beliefs. Sure, I think you're stupid for believing what you do, but hey.
" Nyx kicked her legs up, allowing her boots to rest on the wooden table.
Celvene pulled her tart further away from Nyx's feet, even though she knew she had no intention of eating any more.
Nyx winked. "I've met dumber. Like Areisa.
I've no doubt Virion employed him to develop defensive strategies, and your army still struggles.
The meathead followed Virion after the split because he liked the sound of war. "
Melantha's body lost some of its tension as she relaxed, though she still stared off into the unknown.
Celvene wasn't following Nyx's spiel. If that person had wanted war, why hadn't they gone to Vosalon, the kingdom of war?
Regardless, Nyx was a demigoddess. Maybe she could help Celvene if Zelphar couldn't.
"There's a man standing in the way of the throne in Aizasea.
I don't want to continue this war, but he does.
I can't take him down alone." Celvene inhaled, locking eyes with Nyx, who looked bored.
Even if she wasn't going to trust Nyx, and she believed the demigoddess was not a good person, she could still try to spin the odds.
"Do you have anything I can use to help me in my pursuit of the throne? "
Nyx was silent for a moment. Then, she flicked her hand and a minuscule flame sprung to life in her palm.
It burned the shade of a dusk sky, and she did nothing but toss it from hand to hand.
"No. It would be treason for me to provide a guest with anything, whether it's considered a gift or not.
Zelphar takes precautions against everything; that includes anything that can be used as a weapon, whether against him or his men.
And besides, I wouldn't help you even if I could. "
Bitter memories of the merchant Grishcolm and his reluctance to help Celvene flooded her mind.
Why were the affluent so unbelieving in her?
Normal citizens—save for Slum dwellers—in Aizasea were more than kind to Celvene.
Yet every single person with some semblance of status she'd met, whether inside of Aizasea or not, had turned their nose up on her.
She gritted her teeth, forcing the memories down. "Don't you have a grimoire or something? You must have a spellbook. I can see you're well-versed in magic."
A look of contempt grew on Nyx's impish features, and she scrunched her nose before sighing. "Of course I do, little mortal. It's not with me right now, though."
"Where is it?"
"It was stolen from me decades ago. Someone nabbed it before vanishing.
No one knows where they went, and honestly, I don't even know who stole it.
Barely caught a glimpse of them before they left.
I've been writing a new one, but it's been taking quite a long time.
Perhaps it would be easier for me to track the soldier down and take it back, but I can't be bothered. "
"You didn't clone it?"
"It's got some magic written into it that prohibits cloning. Not on purpose, but magic is finicky. Whoever stole it likely didn't get much use out of it because of that."
Celvene's lips twitched, almost dipping into a frown until she forced a shaky smile. "Okay. Thank you for the... lovely dinner. It was a pleasure getting to know you."
"Of course, little mortal. If you want some advice, the only person in this kingdom who can provide you with real power is Zelphar himself.
So if you're looking for an advantage in your fight, you'd better grow a silver tongue or be willing to accept whatever deal he throws your way.
" The fire in her hand extinguished with a sharp hiss, and Nyx cracked her knuckles.
"If you're not willing, then good luck defeating an entire army by yourself. "
Celvene stood, mustering another awkward grin. She had nothing to say to that, and neither did Melantha, evident by her brisk walk to the door. Celvene followed.
When they broke free of the stuffy, smoke-filled room, Celvene wasted no time in pivoting her gaze to Melantha. "Are you upset?"
Melantha opened her mouth, then shut it, then parted her lips before saying, "Maybe."
"Why?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Melantha said, walking in the opposite direction. Celvene scampered after her, a frown on her face.
"Was it because I talked too much?"
"I don't want to talk about it, Celvene," Melantha repeated. "Later. When we're back at the jail."
Celvene stifled a groan, screwing her eyes shut and pinching the bridge of her nose.
This girl is so confusing.
"Okay. Are you taking me back there now?" she asked.
"Well, you wanted to see Zelphar, right?" Melantha asked, though a bitter frost coated her voice. So much for not wanting to talk about it. "You can see him now. Why would you want to spend time with the tour guide when you could be getting power?"
"Uh... okay, I guess. Zelphar's throne room is fine. But Melantha, talk with me. Don't be s—"
Melantha's hand curled into a fist, and she turned away from Celvene.
"If I talk about it now, you'll end up insulted, then you'll be upset, and I don't want that.
I grew up in a house where I had to bottle all my emotions up, and never speak about why I was upset.
My father didn't believe me if I ever brought anything up, even if he said otherwise.
So I do not want to talk about it right now, and I'd suggest you drop it. "
"Fine," Celvene grumbled. If they ever fully mended their relationship, Celvene was going to force Melantha to learn how to communicate just a bit better.
Talking with her when she was upset made Celvene want to pluck her own eyes out; though, based on what Melantha had said about her parents, she couldn't wholly blame the soldier.
She could still partially blame her, though. "I'm sorry for pushing it."
They proceeded in silence. Every guard and citizen they passed sent a questioning look toward them, and all Celvene could do was glower at them; she was a prisoner that they didn't recognize.
And even if they did recognize her, what did it matter?
Evident by her conversation with Nyx, she had no friends here.
Still, she kept her hand clenched, and a wary eye on everyone they passed. The only person she believed didn't want to harm her was Melantha, and even then, the scowl on her face indicated otherwise.
But the tense blanket of silence was broken in an instant as a feeble, "I'm sorry" cut through the air.
Celvene looked up at Melantha, who'd averted her crystalline gaze. "What?"
"I'm sorry for being rude. You didn't deserve that.
" Melantha ran a hand through her pale hair before tucking it behind her ear.
She fiddled with her silver piercings. "I wasn't lying when I said you're one of the only people I've ever cared for.
So when I brought you to another person I've grown to like, I was hoping you'd... I don't know.
You were a bit rude, which I expect with you. "
"She was rude to me first," Celvene grumbled under her breath, quiet enough so Melantha wouldn't hear it.
"But then you talked about how to gain power, and I knew you didn't care about Nyx. Of course, it would be silly for you to care about her as much as I do when you just met her, but I could tell you didn't care at all. You wanted to use her to your advantage."
Celvene opened her mouth to retort back, but closed it when she realized Melantha was completely right.
In her mind, she was going to use Noriya to its fullest advantage.
And that advantage included gaining power to take down Aleksandr. Seeing Melantha was a plus, but she suspected she'd see her again regardless of where she was.
She didn't, however, have the chance to make connections in Noriya after this. She was not keen on returning.
"You're right," Celvene said, sighing. "I'm sorry.
I'm just... so focused on trying to prove everyone wrong.
I need to prove I'm strong. I need to prove I'm worthy.
And when Aleksandr is hellbent on stopping me.
.. It's not an attainable goal, but I'm doing everything I can to make it realistic.
It's led me down a stupid, stupid path, and you don't deserve for me to be in your way. "
"Celvene."
"What?"
"You mentioned him by name before, but..." Melantha took a deep breath, her long lashes fluttering against her skin. "Aleksandr is my father. I wasn't sure if you'd been talking about him before. But I know my father. He's the man standing in your way."
Memories of Ziel Rui's haughty voice flooded her mind. How she'd laughed at her and referred to Aleksandr.
Lit...
Aleksandr Litvinski?
When she looked down, she realized she'd halted in her tracks.
Even worse, she'd reached for her daggers.
She frowned. The military wasn't exactly celebrated in Aizasea; no one knew the names of the figures that helmed it, and if they did, it tended to not be their entire name.
Celvene had met one soldier before who insisted Celvene only call him by his first name.
"You just realized this?" she asked, glancing up at Melantha. Chilled dread clamped at her gut. Celvene had never met Melantha's family. They'd never wanted to meet someone of Celvene's status, because they were part of high society.
"I haven't seen him since he moved away. I haven't seen any of my family, actually. But I can help you. If it's truly my father, that is. I want you to promise me something if I do, though."
Celvene hesitated, but when she met Melantha's eyes, she drew herself to her full height. "For you, anything."
Celvene assumed Melantha didn't know she meant she'd do anything for Melantha.
Gaining power would be nice, but she'd hurt El.
She'd yearned for their rekindlement for years, and it was within her grasp.
She'd do anything to mend their broken friendship.
She wasn't certain before, but she knew what she wanted now.
"Do not lose yourself. Do not chase an unattainable fantasy.
I want you to remain grounded. If you don't, you'll never be able to beat him.
He thrives on making people so upset they can't think clearly.
He did it to my family more times than I can count.
I was powerless when he did it to my mother, but I'm not powerless now. "
"So what do you suggest I do? It's not like you can come back to Aizasea with me to figure it out."
"Play his own game against him. Don't give into his attempts to belittle and embarrass you. Show him you're as strong as I know you are. If anything will make him lose his mind, it's seeing his tricks aren't working," Melantha said. Though she wasn't smiling, she wasn't quite frowning, either.
"Is it that simple?"
"No. But it's a start, isn't it? I'm sorry I didn't realize sooner. Maybe if I had, you wouldn't be here."
"It's okay, Mel," Celvene said. When Melantha flinched, Celvene tensed, fingers curling inwards as she silently cursed herself. "Sorry. It slipped my mind."
A small, soft smile graced Melantha's lips, and she bumped Celvene with her shoulder. "It's okay. I don't think I mind you calling me Mel anymore. It's nice."
A grin of her own made its way onto Celvene's face. She returned Melantha's gesture, but this time, she allowed her arm to linger against the soldier's. "If you'd realized sooner, I wouldn't have gotten to see you properly after so many years."
They remained like that for a moment, continuing their trek to Zelphar's throne room. Celvene didn't know if it was a good idea to follow Melantha's short-tempered idea, but she'd find out; she knew she couldn't avoid the king forever.
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