I wait, but that’s all he says. I drop my voice and say, “You know why I’m really here, Alek.”
“To look at fabric samples?”
I glare at him. He stares back at me implacably.
“You know that’s not really why,” I say.
“Oh, I’ve deliberated over your motives since I first got word of your visit. But when you arrived, you rather clearly declared that you resentme. You still do. I can see it in your eyes. I’m wondering why you think I should trustyou.”
I snap back in my chair.
He studies me for a long moment, then stands to pour wine into two of the goblets on the table. It’s early in the morning, so I don’t reach for mine, but he sits and takes a sip from his. “See?” he says. “Much like Jax, you can’t say whatever you want and then be upset when faced with the consequences of your actions.”
“The queen thought you might talk to me.”
“I am talking to you.”
I cast a furtive glance at the doorway. “About the Truthbringers.”
“Why do you keep whispering?”
I want to kick him in the shins. “Are you really not going to talk to me about anything that matters?”
“I’m going to show you some very fine fabrics that will delight the princess.”
Frustration swells in my chest. “But the queen—”
“The queen will have to learn that these baseless accusations of treason have delayed my shipments and damaged my relationships among the Royal Houses. Perhaps allowing the king to treat her most upstanding citizens with suspicion and mistrust was a poor decision on her part.”
“The queen is allowing the king to find out who kidnapped hisfamily,” I say tightly.
Alek shrugs. “Well, it wasn’t me. Perhaps sending her daughter’s spitefulnannyto negotiate for information was not the best choice.”
My frustration turns into rage. “I’m not spiteful, andyou’rethe one who—”
“Callyn, I’m going to have to insist that you eat breakfast at some point. I simply do not have all day.”
I pick up the roll and tear a piece with my teeth. “I should’ve had you call for weapons, because now I’m ready to fight.”
“Indeed?” He raises his voice to call for a servant.
I was one hundred percent kidding. “Wait—Alek—no, I was—”
He leans in, and the look in his eyes stops the words on my tongue. It’s challenging and frightening and exhilarating all at once.
He touches a finger to my chin and holds my gaze. “Weapons, you say? Let’s go.”
CHAPTER 17
CALLYN
Alek has a full armory and training arena that rivals what’s in the palace, because of course he does.
“Choose whatever you like,” he says, indicating a wall full of swords and crossbows and knives.
I run a finger over a glistening blade, but I don’t take it off the wall. “I thought you werebusy.”
“I’m never too busy for a good fight.”
