Chapter 60 #2
“Ah. Yes.” The goddess swung her gaze back to Quentin, lips stretching in an uncomfortably animalistic grin. “I left you before because I had questions that I didn’t want the rest of Kizar to hear. I figured you’d be more willing to speak honestly with me after a few days locked away.”
This time, both Quentin and Delaynie scowled. Krilene chuckled, folding her hands on her lap.
“Put those glares away. You are safe with my people. For now.” Her eyes flashed again. “But I have little control over them, and they are finicky. I suggest compliance if you want to get what you seek.”
“Fine.” Quentin folded his arms over his chest. “So, you have questions. You want answers. And in return, what, you’ll help us negotiate with Varyn?”
Power swirled in Krilene’s eyes. “You answer my questions, and I will do what I can to aid you. I can promise no more beyond that.”
Helpful. Quentin darted a glance to Delaynie. Her walls were up, but he saw what flickered in the blue of her eyes.
Agreement. They had no choice. They had to trust this strange, foreign goddess. Then they could get what they were looking for—or confirm it wasn’t here—and head home.
He sighed. “Ask your questions, then.”
Krilene drummed a finger on her arm. “I want to know why your queen—Mariah—freed me, and in doing so, Kol.”
Quentin growled. So that’s what all this shit was about?
“She didn’t free him on purpose,” Delaynie said, voice clear and firm. “Kol manipulated her to guarantee his release. Trust me, she has more reason than most to hate him.”
Krilene hummed. “Interesting. And is it true that she is bonded to a reykr?”
Delaynie furrowed her brow, confused. “She is, but that had nothing to do with Kol’s release. He fought against Kol, alongside Quentin and the rest of her Armature.”
“If she has bonded to him, then she has doomed us all.”
Unease prickled at Quentin’s skin. “Okay,” he interrupted. “Andrian is a dick. We all know it. But he’s not some evil monster. I was there the day Kol broke free. Delaynie speaks the truth: none of what happened is Andrian’s fault.”
Krilene shook her head. “You don’t know the truth of the reykr, do you? What they were made for. How their magic works—”
“Callamus and Rulene support Mariah and her cause. Bonded reykr and all.”
Both Krilene and Quentin blinked at Delaynie’s abrupt interruption. Krilene sat forward, interest lighting her stormy gaze. “They do?”
Delaynie nodded. “Without hesitation. Callamus is the reason I and many in Mariah’s Court were able to flee Verith after Kol was freed.”
Krilene sat back, smooth brow furrowed. Power swirled and pulsed through the room, as if testing them both.
It licked and lapped at Quentin’s skin like waves, and he held back the shudder that ached to roll through him.
His stomach tipped like he was on a stormy sea, and he rocked back into the wall, suddenly off balance.
Krilene cocked her head at him curiously. “Interesting,” she said finally, slowly peeling her gaze from him. “Rulene was once like a sister to me. I trust her judgment more than I trust anything else in this world. For that reason, and that reason alone, I will offer you what help I can.”
Quentin straightened, regaining his composure. Delaynie similarly leaned forward.
Finally, some progress.
“In two days,” the goddess said, “Lord Varyn will be hosting his High Tide Soiree at his manor. He always has it shortly after the Solstice. On my instruction, he will invite you both, and you will attend.”
Quentin and Delaynie shared a glance. “How will attending a party help us learn what we came here to find?” Delaynie asked.
Krilene stood, skirts flowing around her like frothed waves.
“Lord Varyn will only give his help if you earn it. Prove to him that you can hold your own in his court. Prove that Onitans are capable of adaptation and change, as you claim to be. If you do this, he may just choose to help you.” She shrugged.
“Or not. Like the water, Varyn is fickle. But that is the help I offer, and I can promise you will have no better options.”
Quentin tightened his jaw. “Fine. We’ll do it.” A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I think we can handle a little party. What do you say, Del?”
Her eyes glimmered. “For once, Quentin, I agree.”
“I should warn you,” Krilene said, and her grin carried enough secrets to send a shiver up Quentin’s spine. “This will be no ordinary party. If you balk at anything, Varyn will know. You either go, committed to doing whatever it takes, or you stay home.”
“Whatever it is, we can handle it.” Delaynie’s voice was fierce and firm. Quentin blinked at the sureness in her words. A few stray strands of auburn had slipped from the braided knot atop her head, creamy skin still tinged pink from their days at sea.
He yanked his stare away, swallowing hard. Looking at her like that would do no one any good. They would get through this party, prove themselves to Varyn, get what they needed, and go home.
Simple. Easy. Uncomplicated.
Krilene chuckled. “I’m glad to hear that. Regardless of what happens, I wish you both the best.” The goddess’s robes billowed as she breezed to the door, vanishing into the hall as abruptly as she’d arrived.
“Fuck.”
Quentin whirled at Delaynie’s low curse, eyebrows hitting his hairline. “Language, little wolf!” he teased, fully grinning now.
Her frown only deepened. “I just realized I have nothing to wear.”