As if summoned by my thoughts, Leodin walks into the dining car and takes a seat in the booth across from me. Peering over my shoulder, he raises a hand and a young male in a red vest and cap steps up to the table. “Coffees please,” Leodin says, not bothering to ask me if I even want one—I do, but that’s not the point. The young male scurries off, leaving us alone. Leodin watches me for a moment, and I meet him stare for stare. Every part of me wants to shrink away from that gaze, but I learned long ago that showing even the tiniest sign of weakness only eggs him on.
After what seems like an eternity, but was probably not more than a few minutes, the young male returns with our coffees and Leodin breaks eye contact, accepting his drink without a word of thanks. I do thank the server and he gives me a small smile in return, then Leodin and I quietly turn to the task of adding sugar and cream to our mugs.
“We need to talk,” he says, dropping the miniature spoon back into the sugar dish.
I lift my cup, savoring the bitter-sweet scent before taking a tiny sip. My intent was to make him wait a moment, turn his own tricks back on him. Then the scalding liquid hits my tongue and Isputter. I have a split second to choose between swallowing what I suspect is lava masquerading as coffee or spewing it all over the table. Of course, I choose the former because I’d rather melt my internal organs than allow myself to look like a fool in front of Leodin. I school my expression and swallow. The liquid burns a line of fire down my throat, but I ignore it and ask, “About?”
He lifts the mug and blows across the lip, sending the steam billowing away only to be replaced by more rising in his face. “What to expect when we reach the palace,” he says, finally taking a sip. He makes a pleased humming sound. I guess that means the coffee is good. Too bad my tongue is burnt to a crisp now, and I won’t be able to enjoy it. He sets down the mug and steeples his fingers under his chin. “The principals from each of the nine houses will be there. I’m not concerned about the other doms from Elterra. Nymn gets all their information from us, and Morgana’s magi only care to talk to the dead or dying. But the others are less transparent.” He glances behind himself, then cranes his neck to look over my shoulder into the next car. Eyes still watching over my head, he whispers, “I’m afraid the Feridas doms are under the queen’s thumb.”
I draw back in shock. “Are you sure?”
“Of course, I’m not sure. If I was sure, I wouldn’t need you.”
It’s a fair point, but he doesn’t have to be such an ass about it.
“As I was saying,” he continues, giving me the side-eye. “If they are, that means Queen Diane has control of Bac’s fire wielders, Ratimer’s enchanted weapons and Casmir’s protective spells. If they sought a fight, we’d be sorely outmatched.”
Now, I’m really confused. “What would they possibly want to fight about? They already won the war. We’re all one nation now.”
He shakes his head. “You misunderstand me. The crown won’t start anything, but with that sort of backing, they could easily put down any resistance. Word has spread about pocket rebellions springing up in the Ajir province. If that’s so, we need to know where and who is supporting them.”
“So, we can choose the winning side.”
Leodin taps the side of his nose and takes a sip of his coffee. I’d completely forgotten about my own coffee, so I follow his lead and take a small sip. It’s already going cold. Typical.
Setting my cup down, I rub my temples. All this political talk is going to give me a headache. “I just don’t get it, I guess. I mean, what reason would they have to rebel? Trade is good, our people are fed.”
“You read too many books, girl,” he says, rolling his eyes. “We fae have long memories. The people of Elterra and Ajir remember what it was like when we were all our own sovereign nations. They remember when the royal families were murdered, and their heads mounted on the palace gates in Ranook.”
Good gods, I did not need that visual.
I must have made a disgusted face because Leodin nods in agreement. “And they weren’t too happy when the crown chased their pet humans off their lands, either.”
“But that was twenty years ago.”
“Twenty years is nothing to an immortal.” He sinks back into his seat and scratches his cleanly shaven chin. “This is important, Katya. You are only to listen and take note of any information you think might be of interest to me. You will eavesdrop where you can, but only when in a public venue. That means no listening at doorways or sneaking into rooms, nothing that might come backaround to bite us in the ass. If you get fingered as a spy, we both get hanged. Understand?”
I nod.
He shakes his head, eyes far away as he lifts the mug to his lips and takes another sip of the lukewarm coffee. “This is about more than you or me, girl. It’s about our home and our people. Your mother may not understand that, but she doesn’t get to make the decisions, I do. I need someone I can trust, and for all that you and I aren’t exactly a love match, I know you will do whatever it takes to protect your mother, Maxim and Dom Duje.”
I nod. There’s no use denying it. He’s right.
“You will be playing the part of a daft young girl I’ve brought along hoping to arrange an advantageous marriage for. No one is to know of your ability to speak languages outside of common Ferinees and Elterran.”
“I can play dumb.”
“Good.” He takes my hand and lifts and rotates it to inspect the stones Mama gave me. “And keep these hidden. Preferably in your room. A fae witch wearing jewelry is always seen as a potential threat. You need to be beneath their notice.”
I tug my hand from his. “They aren’t very much use to me if I’m not wearing them,” I say, fingering the humming gems.
“You aren’t very much use to me if you are. Keep them hidden.” He drops a couple of shillings on the table and slides out of his seat. “I have to go tend to Duke Berezin. Keep your mouth shut. No speaking unless spoken to. And do not get off this train without me.”
“Yes, sir,” I say, with not a little sarcasm.
The muscle in his jaw jumps. “That smart mouth will get you in trouble one of these days.”
“Definitely,” I admit.But not today.
