Leaning on the table and onto my elbow, I ran a finger over the center of my lips. I waited half a minute before sitting back in my chair and crossing my arms. “I don’t.”
“Wait—what? Why?” Ryder snapped, his voice pitched higher than usual.
“Either I do or I don’t, right?” I stretched my neck from side to side. “I simply don’t.”
For as long as I could remember, Ryder had always been hot-headed. Seeing his inability to keep every thought in his mind from leaving his mouth while negotiating was priceless. If Leanna did end up taking the throne, as rumors suggested, I might have more difficulty reducing our crude exports. But with Ryder as king, it would be a simple task.
“What do you want in order to increase the amount of crude?” Ryder drained his cup and refilled it. He gestured the bottle toward me, but I shook my head. “Shall I increase the amount of fish we send? Do you want gryphons? Horses?”
“We need for nothing.” I lied. If I let him continue, I was pretty sure he’d offer me his firstborn if I asked. He reeked of desperation, which made me only wonder what was driving the request, not that we had additional crude to offer anyway.
“I’ll double whatever Pontara is paying you in exchange for their share,” Ryder urged.
I shook my head. “Even if I were corrupt enough to agree, we’re within the terms of our treaty. I’m not going to give you something I already committed to another kingdom. So, no.”
“Oh, come on, Grave,” Ryder sighed. “We all know exactly who your father was, and certainly the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
My magic sung through my body in an instant and, by the look on his face, he saw my eyes flash onyx. Amalee’s fingers curled around the edges of the table, ready to devour eachperson within her reach. Unlike my sister, the color in my eyes only shifted when my magic rose to the surface. Hers remained a constant kohl—magic staying a steady stream at her fingertips and ready to use at a moment's notice.
I drew in a breath and steadied myself, letting the anger slip down and my magic burrow back under the surface. “It appears I might say the same about you and your father.” I lifted my chin, waiting for my words to strike, and they did.
Leanna shifted on her chair.
“The only difference is he at least had the ability to bargain a trade, whereas you, well”—I blew out a breath—“let’s just say you leave a lot to be desired. So much still to learn.”
“I will not have you insult me in my home.” Ryder slammed his cup against the table, causing the burgundy liquid to spill over the sides. I’d been around him enough to see his hot temper mimic that of his father’s; his outburst wasn’t surprising.
My jaw ticked. “Don’t you mean your father’s home?” Ryder was acting as if his father were already dead and returning his magic to the land. “And I don’t intend to insult you in here any further when doing so outside of these walls works just as well.” I pushed my chair out and leisurely stood. “I believe our business here is done.”
Amalee stood next to me, unhurried, but no doubt enraged by my behavior. If there was any hope of striking a deal, she’d probably thought I’d ruined it. But Kuroden needed leverage, and if it meant pushing the prince to his limits, I’d do it. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for our people. I turned to leave, but paused the moment Leanna’s voice hit the air.
“I’m sure you both are weary from travel, one night of rest certainly cannot be enough for either of you. It would be lovely if you stayed and we could pick this conversation up once everyone has rested,” Leanna said, far too sweet for her true nature.
My sister and I had no intention of spending any more timein Rivale than was necessary. But with my newfound interest in the woman who wielded life into the ground from death itself, I could be easily convinced.
“Ryder is courting several women, and it would be wonderful for you to attend a formal dinner we have planned at the end of the week,” she continued. “Our future queen is sitting within these walls as we speak and you might be one of the first to meet her.”
I turned and laggardly walked across the room to the window. Pulling back the billowing curtain, I looked out at the blue sea. “I suppose it would be a shame to travel all this way and leave without first enjoying the view.”
“Yes!” Leanna rushed across the room and fluttered her hand up to the back of my neck. “Rodrick has been quite busy, and I’m sure I could find several ways to entertain you during your stay.”
I stepped to the side, forcing her hand to drop, and turned to face the room. Ryder had drained his second cup of wine and was pouring a third.
She clasped her hands together in front of her. “Perhaps a tour is in order.”
“Yes, a tour wasexactlywhat you had in mind with Grave, I’m sure.” Ryder rolled his eyes before setting his sights on me. “Shall we plan to meet at the end of the week?”
“I don’t see how it could hurt,” I offered, with no intent of agreeing, no matter when we met again.
“My sister will arrange your accommodations,” Ryder said nonchalantly, before walking out of the room with the others in tow.
An hour later, Amalee and I settled into our rooms with a shared bathing room between them. The space was better than what we had initially been given. Fluffy bedding, thick as clouds, sat atop my bed.
“What was that shit you pulled?” Amalee bit out. “We need them as much as they need us. More so, maybe.”
“Patience has never been your best quality.” I shook my head and looked out the window. The second floor offered a lavish backdrop, not only of a field of blue flowers but also of cliffs dropping off into the roaring sea.
My eyes caught on the woman seated on a stone bench peering into the navy waves. Finding her in the garden the night before had taken me by surprise; I somehow lost my words in her presence. But when her hazel eyes met mine, I practically lost my breath altogether. The green globes flecked with brown were what poems were written about.
