“Oh,” I say in surprise, tucking away the pouch. “Of course,” I reply, trying to play off my foolishness.
Kaia loops her arm through mine as we stroll down the hall. “That’s your first cut. I suspect we’ll make back half of your investment within a month once the rest of the girls arrive.”
“Excellent,” I muse. “Take good care of them. Ensure they are getting good pay and have breaks.”
“Indeed.” She nods. “This is real work, and I treat my girls well.” Kaia radiates confidence as she walks me through the manor. “Now, about this web…”
My focus on Kaia is easily distracted by the sounds of pounding flesh and loud moans. Everywhere I look is a provocative sight. One has his head between a woman’s legs, her head thrown back in ecstasy with her hands lost in his hair. I wonder what that feels like, to be worshipped like that with tongue and fingers.
“Have you never lain with a man?” she asks curiously, noticing my stare.
“A few times…” I reply, feeling a flush cross my skin, still unable to avert my gaze.
“Well, I have plenty of girls who can show you how to please a man?—”
“I’m fine.” I snap my attention back to her as I try to compose myself. “Is there somewhere less…stimulatingto speak?”
She snickers at my unease, leading me upstairs. Closing the door behind us, Kaia strides over to a table and plucks a crystal decanter of wine from the bookshelf. She pours us each a glass before leaning lazily against the desk in the center.
“Cheers.” Kaia raises her glass in a toast to mine, the glasses clinking together.
“To lofty goals,” I reply.
“Indeed.” She sips from her wine, her long lashes fluttering closed briefly as she savors the taste.
I take a long pull, noticing the unique taste. It is herbal, with an undertone of spice that is hard to place. It has notes of cinnamon or anise, and the more I drink, the more it grows on me. “There are a few things I need to sort out.” I start, swirling the wine.
“Of course.”
“Do you know who Casimir Bainbridge is?” I ask curiously.
Kaia hums a soft note, losing herself in thought. “That name doesn’t sound familiar to me.”
“That’s all right.” I pivot elsewhere, not wanting to spend too much time on that for now. “There’s whisperings of a rebellion going around. I need to find out who leads it.” I waste no time telling Kaia exactly what I require. “If Master of Coin Harlan Cary stops by, convince him to divert more funds awayfrom the treasury. He recently miscounted ten thousand silver, so I’m sure he can make a few more disappear.”
“Lofty,” Kaia replies with a saccharine grin.
“There’s a ball coming up at the castle. Do you know what it is?” I ask her.
“Yes, Noctalis. It happens every year.”
“How many people arrive for this event?”
“Usually all the importantlordsandladiesof the land,” Kaia says in an almost mocking tone as she takes another drink from her glass. “Highborns love a good party.”
“See if you can scrounge up any whispers or secrets for me.”
“What kind of secrets?” She raises a sly brow at me.
“Reputation ruiners.” I take another drink. “Or blackmail material,” I tell her. “The King called Duke Nikolas Sterling of Thalvar to make a deal with him, but I don’t know the details. Is that something you can find out?”
“He’s not the finest gentleman.” Kaia huffs, refilling my glass. “I’m sure he’ll stop by eventually.”
“Do you know which lord handles the harvest?” I ask. While court is busy partying, I’ll have the harvest delayed or sold elsewhere. Causing a famine would be difficult, but if done correctly, it could cause widespread trepidation among Khalessor.
“I’ll chat with my girls to see what they know.”
I nod, scouring my mind for anything else that could forward my plot. Sipping my wine, I move to my next thought. “Do you know anything about the Duke of Ashvarin?” I ask.
