“I asked you how your day was. Have you gotten to see more of the castle?”
I snorted. “Yeah, I’ve seen pretty much the whole thing at this point. It’s not like I can go into town or anything.”
“You should be able to soon enough. The Council is in four days, and then all of Civi Adasa will recognize you. Everything will be better afterward. Trust me.”
I didn’t need a reminder about my upcoming torture, but I was looking forward to being able to leave the castle. My days were pretty bleak and boring now that my father had basically taken all my friends away from me. Everybody except Jo.
“Hey, will you come visit me tomorrow morning in the Sylvarium? I’ve been hanging out with the crescia but they aren’t the best conversationalists, you know?”
Laughter filled my head, and it was such a surreal yet pleasant experience.
“That would be wonderful. I do wish to get to know you more, Rain.”
“Awesome,” I said, starting to feel a little better about my situation. Jo would be the perfect person to answer some questions about my father. Not only was she his advisor, butshe was basically a mind reader. If anybody knew what he was hiding, it was her.
I started to ask about how she usually spent her days around the palace, when the guard announced a newcomer to dinner—Cennux Dreisin. He strolled into the room confidently, looking every ounce the way I had envisioned him earlier with his hair tied back and the hard lines of his face on full display. All that was missing was the smirk. When his eyes swept over the table and he noted where I was sitting, it finally made its appearance, tugging his lip up slightly into that amused little grin.
I didn’t know if I should feel thrilled or annoyed as he made his way over and casually slid into the seat beside me.
“Hello, Fea Remia,” he whispered, keeping his voice low. “I hope your afternoon was… productive.”
“Not exactly,” I said, frustration seeping into my voice. “I don’t know how I’m going to learn anything about, well, anything when I don’t speak Rivellan.”
“I didn’t take you to be the kind who gave up so easily.”
“Yeah, well, you don’t really know me that well do you?” I shot back, annoyed that he was making it seem like I even had options available.
Sin gave me a wolfish grin. “Oh, I think I know you very well, Fea Remia.”
The words ignited a fire low in my abdomen, but the announcement of the king’s arrival saved me from feeling too awkward.
My father walked briskly through the dining hall to the head of the long table. He glanced from Dey to the empty seat beside him, and Dey rose hastily to whisper something into his ear. He scanned the dinner guests until he found me.
I gave him my best innocent smile. Just an ignorant human here, can’t blame me for not knowing about royal dining protocols.
His lips pursed tightly for a second, then he dipped his head in acquiescence. He took his seat, and servants emerged to present our meals.
“So, what do you normally do all day, Jo?” I asked, not looking over at Sin or his tempting mouth.
“With the Council so close I am mostly assisting with security interrogations. With the other kings and their entourages arriving soon, it is imperative that there are no traitors within our ranks.”
I paused with my fork halfway to my mouth. “Wait, so my father has you reading the minds of everyone in the castle?”
“No, I cannot quite read minds. I can only hear thoughts if they are directed toward me. It is very difficult, though, for someone to hide their intentions when they answer my questions. I am able to detect if there is any deception or malice hiding underneath the words they choose. Thankfully, none have shown to be anything more than loyal to the crown.”
“Oh, well that’s good.” It sounded a bit invasive, but precautions were probably necessary. I didn’t know anything about the other courts so maybe there was a danger to the rulers all being together in one place. My father had said they only met like once every hundred years.
“You seem tense,” Sin purred into my ear, and if I hadn’t been before, I certainly was now. How could he do that? Affect me so profoundly with just that hint of gravel to his sonorous voice. It was like every time he spoke I could think of nothing but sex or violence. Usually both.
“I’m fine,” I said, with a forced casualty. “No need to worry about me. Feel free to go back to being, how did you put it? Reserved?”
I was being petty, but I didn’t care. Our earlier conversation had left me with nothing but a million more questions, and Iknew he had no intention of answering a single one. Evasions and half-truths were all I ever got from him.
“What if I want to be amused right now? I do have two settings, remember?”
I risked meeting his eyes long enough to shoot him a glare. “You know, it's getting a little annoying how I never know which Sin I’m going to be talking to.”
He sank back into his seat and glowered, all levity gone from his expression. “Then maybe it would be best if you didn’t speak to either one.”
