Better to avoid Drudon entirely—I had no desire to find out how expendable I really was.
Chapter 19
Valen
Drudon smiled like some kind of crocodilian lake monster. “How good to see you again so soon, brother.”
“Son of a bitch,” Emmeline muttered at my side.
We were at the forest’s edge, mingling before the hunt. Torches with blue flames kept the darkness at bay, and piles of food towered atop tables covered in pristine white cloths. Guests feasted and drank—because getting plastered on wine was so advisable before roving the forest with bows and arrows.
The atmosphere was rowdy with laughter and cheers, and hunting dogs barked on their leashes. I’d tried to keep my distance from Drudon once I’d spotted him, but he’d cornered us.
“Yes,” I said dryly. “What luck.”
“And you brought your dog.” He leered at Emmeline. “Do you think she’ll be able to sniff out the Cynthian stag?”
My wineglass shattered in my grip, but I barely felt the shards cutting into my hand. Emmeline gasped, but I couldn’t look at her. Howdarehe. That wretched jackass wasn’t worthy to speak her name, much less insult her. I should have killed him in the gardens, and damn the consequences. I—
Drudon wanted me to punch him again. It was the only explanation. He had a trap planned, probably some kind of public shaming given the surrounding crowd. I would play right into his hands if I gave him the beating he sorely deserved.
“I doubt I’ll sniff out anything withyoustinking up the place,” Emmeline said with a sweet smile.
My raging heartbeat eased as I gazed at her. She could spit poison better than a cobra, and no one deserved her acid insults more than my brother.
Drudon’s face contorted with rage—the thin-skinned bully always could dish it out better than he could take it. I set my broken glass on a nearby table, the movement drawing his attention back to me. Perfect. I wanted his temper focused on me rather than Emmeline.
“Yes, are you sure it’s wise to join the hunt, Brother?” I drawled. “I’d hate for someone to mistake you for a wild pig and spear you.”
Interesting. I hadn’t realized his face could turn that shade of red. I hoped we’d gathered onlookers, as Drudon looked ready to attack me, and I wanted witnesses to swear he’d thrown the first punch.
“Druuudon,” a man whined. “Where have you been? Lord Sidonius kept blathering on about politics. I needed you to rescue me.”
Aristoph Undarvue staggered drunkenly into the conversation, oblivious that he’d prevented a brawl. I supposeI should thank him. A public fight with Drudon would attract attention I didn’t need.
“I apologize,” Drudon said stiffly. “I was catching up with my brother.”
“Sir Valen!” Aristoph’s glossy-looking eyes finally landed on me, and he lifted his wineglass in greeting. “Hail and well met! I heard you punched Drudon in the face for insulting your new lady-love. Oh! Is this the new lady-love?”
The young man gave Emmeline a smile that might have been charming had he not been sweaty-faced, reeking of wine, and obviously about to tip over onto the grass.
I introduced them, and Emmeline curtsied as if she’d been born to it.
“I don’t know what your problem is, Drudon,” Aristoph said. “We don’t want the city overrun with dirty humans, but obviously there are exceptions. I mean—look at her!”
He gestured at Emmeline’s face and bust.
I changed my mind about the brawl. Could I goad Drudon into starting it? Perhaps punch Aristoph by accident during the melee?
Emmeline gave him a tight smile. “You’re too kind.”
“I am!” Aristoph raised his glass again, and wine sloshed onto his shirt. “Don’t worry. I’m extremely friendly to humans. You won’t have anything to worry about when I’m king. Earth will prosper under my rule.”
“Earth?” Emmeline asked.
“King?” I demanded.
The word had shot out of my mouth before I could stop it. What was that upstart little shit-for-brains implying?
