She went around the room twice more with wine, and by the time they wrapped up, there were two of the men whose voices had gotten louder due to the alcohol.
She made a note of which ones.
Quinn shackled her hands in front of her again once the meeting was over, and he started to lead her back to her room when Bechmen called for them.
The pair stopped, and Nyssa noted the curious stare on Bechmen's face. She wasn't sure what to make of it, if whether he was up to something or perhaps wanted her to stay to show her off more.
"Take her to my bedroom."
Nyssa's feet wouldn’t move.
She stood frozen and confused to the spot, her heart thumping loudly in her ears.
What did he want?
The sun had gone down by the time the Noble joined her. He threw back the door, and she pushed herself against the dresser upon seeing his taut jaw. She didn't know if he had decided he would have his way with her or if he had some other reason to call her in that room. Whatever it was, she told herself she would be ready.
This place would not break her.
Bechmen didn't say anything as he went to the table and poured a cup of water. His hips settled against the top, and he sighed, eyes traveling deliberately over her. "You can read them, can't you?" the Noble asked.
Nyssa stared, chin high, but she didn't answer.
He offered her the cup of water, and she knew it was a bribe.
"Come now, girl," he said. "I know you're thirsty. When's the last time my wife gave you more than bathwater to drink?"
Play the game, little sister, she could hear Rhaif telling her.
Nyssa hesitantly reached for the water, but the Noble held it back. She swallowed her dry spit as she sneered at him.
“It’s all in your strategy,” Rhaif said as he chatted with her in his study. “Every move should be calculated. Three steps ahead at all times.” He paused to move a battle figurine on his large table map of Haerland, positioning it at the edge of the mountains. “This world is yours to take, little sister. It’s your own personal battlefield and chessboard.” His eyes lifted, and he held out a soldier figurine to her. “Make your move.”
Nyssa set her teeth as she recalled the memory.
She made her move.
“Your Commander is lying about his troops being prepared for battle," Nyssa said firmly. "He scratches the table with two fingers when he's exaggerating."
The Noble looked impressed, and he gave her the cup of water.
Nyssa sipped the cool liquid. Her insides caved at the sensation of it. She held the cup firm in her hands as she felt her stomach grumble with the drink.
"Tell me more," he requested.
She considered him, took another sip of the water, and resisted the urge to throw it all back down her throat. "Why should I?"
"You've been in my meetings for... Two weeks now?" he calculated. "Twice a week, sometimes three. Luka has only been in two of those meetings. And it took you just that long to figure out his tell-tale sign." He swirled the wine in his cup. "Princess of Haerland, your guard called you... Something tells me you were involved in the meetings of your kingdom more than you wanted to be."
"Perhaps I like the politics."
This time a low chuckle came from his lips. "That I believe." He pushed off the desk again and went to the tent door, where he said something to Quinn. Quinn nodded and left.
"Luka has taken a liking to you," Bechmen said upon facing her again.
Nyssa resisted the urge to shift with news she already knew. The Noble smiled.
"He's never exaggerated before in my company," he continued. "The fact you think he is exaggerating about his soldiers tells me he is attempting to impress you."
