“Well, that’s something, at least. I’m glad I don’t have to challenge my own brother to a duel to defend her honor.” He paused. “How was it resolved?”
“She kneed me in the balls.” I wanted to laugh or cry. Probably both. “And I sent her a letter asking for her forgiveness.”
Nisien’s jaw nearly dislocated. “Why were you close enough that she could reach your manhood with herknee?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“I think it does,” Nisien argued.
“Becauseyouwant her?” The words were out before I could reel them back.
“Maybe.” He gritted his teeth and looked away. “I don’t know.”
That made one of us. I’d never been more certain of my attraction to anyone in my life. Every fiber of my being, even my magic, thrummed with the need to be near her.
Her sharp mind, her patience, kindness, and overwhelming compassion drove me to want to hold her and never let go. I needed more of everything she represented in my life.
The problem was the monster’s capriciousness when it came to Isca. One moment it wanted me to lash out at her with my words, the next, it wanted to possess and dominate her. Only during today’s meeting did it sit relatively calmly, not resisting her magic. Likely, it was still full from the bloodlust I’d recently satisfied.
I had no choice but to remain vigilant around her.
Unaware of my inner conflict, Nisien continued. “From the beginning, I suspected Maeron sent her here to tempt us both. She’s unmarried, intelligent, and beautiful. He must’ve known he was sending a flame into a dry woodpile when he sent her to work directly with two bachelor princes.”
Yet again, I hadn’t given my brother enough credit. He was far cleverer than he put on a show of being.
“She’s not Maeron’s pawn. Not willingly, at least. There’s…” I hesitated, “…something I haven’t told you yet.”
Nisien let out a long-suffering sigh. “Who did you kill?”
Of course he would jump to the most extreme thing. Unfortunately, he was right. “A spy sent by the Assembly.”
His voice, laced with anger and surprise, suddenly boomed. “A what?”
“He was skulking in Isca’s rooms at the end of the festival. Timed his incursion well.”
“What did he want?”
“I—” Shame caught my voice for a long moment. “Didn’t ask… Couldn’t.”
A string of expletives, cursing the gods, me, Maeron, people in general—even dogs, for some reason—came spewing out of ever-proper Nisien’s mouth.
I waited it out, knowing he’d calm long before I would have.
“Well, at least we haven’t been questioned about it,” he said finally, fumbling with a scrap of paper on my desk. “Hopefully,they worry something happened to him on the road.”
I winced. “Doubtful. He was a powerful mage.”
Nisien put his head in his hands. “Emrys. I have aged ten years since you’ve returned home. Nowthis…”
“But don’t you wonderwhythey sent a spy? I can’t piece it together myself. Do you think they know of our plan in motion?”
“I doubt it. Our men haven’t reached the city yet. And I couldn’t know more without going through her correspondence,” Nisien said, quietly. “Maybe she’s defied them in some way. But I think we need to sit on this to see what happens. There must be something they’re planning that we don’t know about… I felt the magic she used on you during the meeting. It worked?”
I nodded.
Rising abruptly, Nisien slapped his knees. “Then I’m glad the two of you have come to an understanding. But, Emrys,” he looked at me squarely, “the second you hurt her or anyone who doesn’t deserve it, I’ll be the one who stops you. I won’t hesitate.”
My lips formed a thin line. “I know.”
