He hadn’t missed the way the Enforcer frowned when she’d entered, his finger circling the rim of his wine glass as he took in her dress. Will shifted his attention to Aidon, his face neutral as he took a sip of wine. ‘I prefer Aya in black.’
‘Aya!’ Josie pushed her chair back and pulled the woman into a hug.
Aidon watched as Aya tensed, her arms stiff as they circled Josie.
‘I’m so glad you joined Will on this trip.’ His sister pulled back with a conspirator’s grin. ‘These two are a pain in the ass to deal with alone.’
Aidon couldn’t help the chuckle that rumbled through him as he lounged further back in his chair. ‘I’m wounded, Josie. We’ve always made such lively company for you.’
His sister rolled her eyes as she tugged Aya to the seat next to her.
‘What he’s really trying to say is they’re always getting into trouble, and I’m always having to pull them out.’
‘And here I thought you mentioned being older and more mature,’ Aya teased, a small smirk on her lips as she peered at Aidon. Light gray shadow covered the lids of her kohl-lined eyes, the soft pink of her lips pairing nicely with a touch of rosiness that had been added to her cheeks. Her hair was in loose curls that hung down her back, one side pinned behind her ear with a silver comb.
Josie snorted into her wine. ‘Did you really, brother?’
‘I might have said something along those lines,’ he said lightly. He felt his own lips tip up as he regarded Aya again,marking the way she leaned one arm on the table, her body angled towards his.
This was a game he could play – and one he could play well.
‘You look like you’re feeling better,’ he remarked. He let his eyes scan her dress again. But before he could continue, a small oak door on the far side of the room swung open, revealing his parents and the king.
His uncle led their small procession, and even though Enzo and he were twins, born merely two minutes apart, it was never difficult for Aidon to point out the stark differences between Dominic and his father.
Dominic was broad, with pale skin, a square jaw, and beady green eyes that held a look of constant calculation, which seemed to intensify as he looked at Aidon and Aya, as if measuring the distance between them. His black hair was short, wavy and speckled with gray, and topped with the bone-white crown he was rarely without. Tonight, he wore a gray linen suit and white shirt.
Enzo stood a few inches taller than his older brother, his build lankier, his green eyes a hint warmer than the king’s. His hair had long turned gray, and he only donned the silver crown that currently topped his head during state occasions. Apparently tonight qualified. He sported tan linen pants and a matching jacket, his white shirt beneath it unbuttoned at the collar.
Aidon and Josie’s mother, Zuri, walked arm and arm with their father Enzo. Her gown was of pure white, tied around her neck, its fabric open and flowing, showing off her curves and black skin. Even in her silver heels, she was several inches shorter than Enzo, the point of the green emerald at the apex of her silver crown level with his nose. Her long hair was braided and fashioned into a bun at the back of her head.
The four stood, greeting them with a bow as Enzo led Zuri to the chair at Dominic’s right before settling to his left. Lead Councilor. King. Advisor. ‘Welcome,’ Dominic said to Will and Aya, his voice smooth and deep from his place at the head of the table. ‘Please be seated.’
The attendants, who had been waiting in the wings, snapped into action, hurrying to the kitchens to grab platters of food. Dominic held up his glass and smiled. ‘To enduring friendships,’ he toasted. An edged greeting, if Aidon had ever heard one. But Will merely raised his own glass and answered smoothly, ‘To your generous hospitality, Majesty.’
The wine they sipped was sweet and bubbly, the perfect pairing for the warm breeze that blew in through the open archways.
‘It’s a pleasure to welcome you both to our kingdom,’ Zuri said, her eyes landing on Aya. ‘Aidon tells us this is your first visit to Rinnia, Aya. How do you find our city?’
‘It’s beautiful.’ She turned to Dominic. ‘Thank you, Majesty, for agreeing to my stay.’
‘I must say,’ Dominic drawled as an attendant lifted the lid on his plate, ‘I’m surprised Gianna senttwoof her most trusted Dyminara to our shores. Especially after I assured her the two tradesmen were operating independently of our kingdom.’
Will cleared his throat. ‘Aya is in need of knowledge from the Saj of the Maraciana, Majesty. We felt it would be better not to inconvenience you with two separate visits, given I’d already be here to discuss our ever-flourishing partnership.’
Aidon bit back a grin at Will’s silver tongue, but Dominic wasn’t impressed. He hardly repressed his scoff. ‘Gianna says Kakos has progressed in their attempt to create raw power.’
Aya dipped her chin. ‘I’m sure you’ve heard of the Diaforaté attack on the Athatis, Majesty.’
The king’s eyes sparked as he took a sip of his wine. ‘Aided by your general, if the rumors are true. We hear she was found with a relic of the practitioners.’
Silence rippled across the table, tense and tight. Such an act was the worst type of dishonor. Aidon watched Aya’s face carefully, but the spy didn’t so much as blink. She was as steady as she’d been in the temple when he’d alluded to the trouble in the Southern Kingdom.
‘And what will happen to your general for such a crime?’ Dominic continued.
Will’s grip tightened on his glass for the briefest of moments, but his voice was as smooth as silk as he said, ‘I can assure you our queen has her own plans on how to handle the infiltration. In the meantime, Aya’s research will be crucial to helping our army prepare. We’d be happy to share any findings with your forces.’
The king waved a hand at the offer. ‘We have no need to take such drastic actions.’
