Sighing, Rodian stole one last kiss from Arkadi in the midst of the younger man doing up the knot of his hair again. “She will break down that door if I don’t let her in.”
“She must be worried,” Arkadi murmured.
Rodian didn’t doubt that. When he strode across the office to open the door, Sakka wasted little time in throwing her arms around him for a hug. “They told me Ministers tried to poison you.”
“I do hope rumors aren’t spreading about my demise,” Rodian said.
Sakka pulled back and slapped a hand against his chest. “Clearly false rumors, if they are. You are well?”
“Not a scratch on me. Arkadi saw their play before I did.”
Sakka peered past him at Arkadi, arching an eyebrow in a knowing way that told Rodian their attempts at cleanup hadn’t passed her muster. “My thanks for your vigilance.”
“No thanks needed,” Arkadi said quietly.
“Still, you have it.” Sakka turned her attention back to Rodian. “Lidiya requests your presence. She wants to know what story we need to tell for the reporters. I want to know the truth before the lie.”
The last thing Rodian wanted to do was hash out a story about an attempt on his life, but he knew it needed to be announced. They needed to get ahead of any rumors that might be rolling through the palace, even as they spoke. But he could spare a few minutes to soothe his sister’s worry.
Arkadi moved to leave the office, but Rodian reached out to snag his sleeve, tugging him back. “Stay.”
Arkadi hesitated before inclining his head and closing the office door so that no one else could be privy to what Rodian was about to discuss.
“The truth doesn’t leave this room,” Rodian said in a low voice, meeting Sakka’s gaze and not looking away.
She nodded without argument, gaze flicking over to Arkadi. “Of course not.”
“Arkadi is a Blade. He set up the meeting to entrap the Ministers and defended me. He killed Vissarion and dealt with the others. The guards who arrived in the aftermath overheard Sigurd accuse Arkadi of being a Blade. The lieutenant has stated they heard no such thing.”
“And you expect me to act differently because of this truth?” Sakka scoffed. “So he is a Blade. That simply means I do not haveto worry about your life with Arkadi by your side. I do not see how this is a terrible thing.”
“A Blade is an assassin, and assassins are not trusted by the ivoryanin,” Arkadi said quietly.
“It is a good thing I see no assassin in this room, but a friend,” Sakka said lightly. She turned to lay her hand on his shoulder, the kindness on her face not forced at all. “You saved my brother’s life. There is no shame for the road you walk if it enables you to keep Rodian and Urova safe.”
Arkadi blinked at her before ultimately cracking a small, relieved smile. “Thank you.”
Sakka smiled at him and let her hand drop away. “We should go find Lidiya.”
“Very well,” Rodian said. “Let us meet with her.”
He turned and held out his hand to Arkadi, who stared at him for a moment before crossing over to take his hand almost hesitantly. Rodian took advantage of his closeness to raise Arkadi’s hand to his lips, kissing the jut of his knuckles. A delicious blush came to Arkadi’s cheeks, and Rodian took great pride in flustering the younger man.
“I see you are no longer dancing for the public but for yourselves,” Sakka said dryly.
“I intend to court Arkadi as my future husband and Isarov,” Rodian told her.
“Considering the leviathans in the court, you couldn’t have made a better choice, though your timing leaves something to be desired. One political shock at a time for the masses. We’ll announce the courtship later.”
Rodian was happy for her support, though Arkadi looked a bit shocked she had given it so easily. He would learn that Sakka preferred directness over all else.
“Then let us now deal with the report for the press and the traitors after that.” He tucked Arkadi’s hand into the crook ofhis elbow and drew them out of the office, Sakka walking on his other side. “We should summon the court and then the Council.”
“It will be a long night,” Sakka warned.
“I would have it be no other way.”
“Then you must look the part. I’ll send a servant to fetch your robes and crown.”
