Ryder waited a full minute before he blew out a breath and sat. “Let’s get this over with.” His crystal eyes met my stare. “We want an increase in crude and, in return, we’ll increase our exports to Kuroden.”
“No.” I let my face fall flat.
Amalee kept her focus on the prince. Prior to the meeting, I’d told her I had a plan and needed her to be patient so I could work through it. What the plan was, I never said. Truthfully, I only had a loose grip on it myself. But the trust my sister put in me was something I’d never taken for granted, and sometimes I needed her to blindly follow me into what looked to be impending doom, even if that meant ignoring a bright clear path leading in a different direction.
“I thought you might say that.” He clasped his hands in front of him and leaned forward. “Rivale is prepared to offer you three of our ships and increase our exports.”
“You do realize our coast is protected entirely by cliffs so steep even your gryphons could not climb—let alone any fae.” I continued, “Even if someone were to ascend the cliffs, it wouldnot only take them multiple days, but once they crested, our military would be waiting—so best of luck to them.” I waved a dismissive hand. “We have no need for your ships.”
“What about the witches?” Ryder bit back. “Do you not face the same threats the rest of Crofea does? Or is it only because they are attacking at your command that you do not fear them?”
Amalee went stiff. She hated being associated with the witches just as much as I had. Though my sister had an explosive temper; she didn’t involve herself in a fight because of an insult. In fact, it took more to provoke her than it did me.
“My business with the witches is none of your concern. However, you know just as your father does, Kuroden’s ties with the Oras were severed long ago.” I let the magic seep out to the edge of my fingertips, a warning he couldn’t ignore. “So shut your fucking mouth or act on your false allegations.”
Ryder’s face went red, and the magic I knew he kept cleverly hidden sang through the air, a vibration I was unfamiliar with. It was nothing like any Divine magic I’d encountered.
“King Grave, I think what my brother is saying”—Leanna smiled sweetly, ignoring the man who was on the verge of a tantrum—“is that we can offer ships for your own use. Perhaps to transport Kuroden’s exports. You wouldn’t need to rely as heavily on Shalebridge if you moved your own goods.”
I shrugged, ignoring her fluttering lashes. “We do well working with one another. I have no issues relying on our neighboring kingdom.”
“Silk!” Ryder blurted. “Your people deserve to dress well, even if they’re forced to reside in such a revolting kingdom, do they not?” He was the master of backhanded compliments.
Amalee slammed a hand on the table, causing the wood to tremble. All the eyes at the other end of the room darted to her. They knew the magic she possessed, and their prince was throwing fuel on the fire. It was one thing to insult our father’s lineage, but another thing to slight the people of our land. She’dhad a soft spot for every fae who lived in our kingdom, regardless of their origin. And there was no limit to what she’d do for them.
“Spices?” Ryder asked, his voice softer than what it had been.
“Getting them from Otea,” I responded curtly.
“Cattle?”
“Rynholm.” I smiled. Amalee relaxed into her seat and took a drawn-out breath.
Ryder pushed. “Lumber?”
“Also from Rynholm … as well as what you export to us already.”
Had he studied the treaty, he would’ve known what the leverage points were. He was ill-equipped to negotiate without his father present.
“Not only will we increase the supply of fish we send, but we’ll sweeten the deal with fresh produce,” Leanna offered. “We’ll send it with gryphons rather than relying on ships.”
My stomach leapt at the thought of having fresh fruits and vegetables for the locals. We’d had to rely heavily on dried and canned produce. And with Rivale being the largest of all seven kingdoms, they had an ample amount to send north. The offer was tempting, especially with my sister’s eyes on me.
“No,” I replied coolly, trying to subdue my desires.
“Grave.” Leanna batted her eyelashes.
I rolled my eyes. The gesture might have been something I fell for once, but never again.
“We all know the crude has bled from your mountains to your sea.” Leanna continued, “We are your biggest supplier of fish, not only for your people, but for your mounts. Would it not be prudent to consider the benefits of our offerings?”
Long ago, I’d made the mistake of oversharing. I’d told her that our wyvern had to travel beyond our shores to catch fish untainted by the crude seeping into the sea.
Ryder stared at his sister while his chest heaved so quicklyhe might faint. And with the way his eyes bulged from his head, it looked that they might topple onto the table and tumble against the wood.
“King Grave—” Leanna started, but was quickly interrupted.
“Enough!” Ryder stood abruptly, sending his chair flying to the ground with a smack. He directed his anger at his sister. “You do not speak for Rivale. I am the king!” His voice held a roar so deep it nearly shook the windows.
