“We need to discuss our next steps.” She looked to Elio and Greta, adding, “Your hospitality has been unmatched, as always, but it’s time for us to go.”
“So soon?” Burke bemoaned.
“Yes, so soon.” George sighed. “We’ve got to get back to the palace.”
“Can’t we stay a bit longer? Few days?” Burke asked.
“It would be lovely if you could. We’ve missed you so.”
Elio nodded at his wife’s words.
“No. We have to get back ahead of Gianis and Marinos. We have to be there—because ofthings,” George huffed and took a long sip of her whiskey.
“Becot?” Burke asked Dunstan, stretching his neck over the top of Hildy’s head.
Dunstan shrugged. “Becot.”
“Oh!” Isahn startled.
George’s attention snapped to the earl, whose shoulders shook with laughter.
“It’s a half-abbreviation, half-acronym.” He chortled.
“What is?” Greta asked, confused.
“Becot, beciss, depends on whatshesays.” He pointed his thumb in George’s direction. “Not how I thought it was spelled at all.”
“Deiwa nekami,” George grumbled, wishing the goddesswould,in fact, pop down and take her away. Why’d he have to be sharp too?
“Because I said so,” Burke mimicked her in a high tone.
“Very astute, Lord Yaranbur,” Hildy complimented with a grin as she lifted her glass.
“Oh, I get it. I always wondered about that.” Elio chortled, leaning in to whisper a better explanation to his wife.
“I hate every single one of you. Shut up.”
“Why?” Burke asked with a waggle of his brows.
George closed her eyes and shook her head as she breathed through her nose. Then, she gave the people what they wanted: “Because I said so!”
“Beciss!” they chorused.
eight
Isahn rides a horse.
Twomorningslater,asthe sun rose over the Kingdom of Domos, Isahn and his former captors left the gorgeous Villa Manolay for the capital. Opting for the speed of horseback, George had gifted their cart and hackneys to Elio and Greta, then commanded Dunstan and Burke to purchase mounts for their group.
“You know, I think your kingdom might be more beautiful than mine,” he said to Hildy a few hours in. A craggy hillside full of twisting olive trees and cypresses gave way to a surreal, turquoise lake far below.
“Could be. I’ve never been to Selwas. What’s it like?” Hildy’s horse trotted along beside his.
Ahead, George rode between Dunstan and Burke, their trio deep in conversation.
“Forests, mainly. The West has a bunch of small lakes, my town is named after one. But nothing as gorgeous as that.” He pointed to the narrow lake on his right.
“Lake Dlongos,” she offered. “We’re going to cross it in an hour or so.”
