Oh, yes, they would stop. Because the Lieges might control the dregs, but Ivenrail controlled the Lieges—his devoted minions.
My stomach kept knotting and releasing. Over and over at a furious pace until I scrambled out of the tub and over to the toilet. I heaved up my guts and then some, retching until there was nothing left inside. Still, my belly wanted to give.
Such torturous gifts.
Quivering with spent fear, I cleaned my mouth and slid back into the tub, where I stretched out and tipped my head back against the smooth surround, closing my eyes.
Drask joined me, cute little guy that he was. He pecked my cheek and there was something so normal and comforting about it that my tears started flowing. My sobs followed.
I cried for myself.
For the mess I’d discovered about Vexxion and Brenna.
And for the Nullens who faced a certain death with almost no means of defense.
38
VEXXION
By the time I could get away from the king, it was late. Very late.
I flitted to the stable and groomed Glim for a bit to throw off whoever might be following, though I doubted anyone dared. This was where my reputation paid off. Who’d challenge the king’s controller?
After giving Glim treats, I returned the brush to the basket in the tack room and casually strolled down the hall as if I intended to return to the castle. When I reached the shadows before the opening, I ducked into them and flitted to the top of the mountain peak above the aerie where I waited again, sitting on the loose shale as if I had come here merely to take in the view of the moon hovering over the broad valley. I sent out my threads to spy and waited.
I flitted to three more locations, each having little meaning to me, and when I was confident I hadn’t been followed, I flittedonce more and strode to my final destination, arriving late but as quickly as I could.
Would he still be waiting?
I needed this bargain. Very much. But I couldn’t allow him to know how vital this deal was for me. He had to believe he was getting the better end, and perhaps he was.
I’d learned manipulation from a master, but I rarely used it to benefit myself. Only tonight would I do so.
Would the fates cooperate this one time?
He stood in the shadows among a thick grove of spindler trees, but I wasn’t surprised he didn’t join me in the open area beyond. First, he’d want me to go to him. A power move I well understood. And he had no interest in being seen with me, not if he hoped to live longer than this moment.
I strode over to him, letting the shadows consume me along with him.
“You’re late. I nearly left,” he hissed, his slithering words skittering across my skin like poisonous insects, each syllable a tainted bite.
“Yes,” I said softly. I hated using my voice where anyone could overhear, but my masking threads were not welcome with this interaction. “You didn’t leave.”
I’d convinced myself he needed me more than I did him, though that might not be true. Not when this came to its final conclusion.
I held out my hand. “The items.”
“I want a taste first.”
“That wasn’t part of the deal. You’ll get more than a taste ina few days.” Supposedly after the wedding, though I doubted he was on the guest list.
“Then you can have them in a few days.”
“We agreed you’d bring them tonight, and I’d give you what you seek later.” I pivoted sharply and strode away. Let him believe I was willing to walk, that he’d never see me again. Let him worry about who I might share this botched interaction with.
“Wait,” he barked, as I knew he’d do.
“For what? You wish to play games with me?” Turning, I snapped out my threads, seeking him lurking in the shadows. I lifted him, slamming him against the broad tree behind him.
