“Throughoutallthe lands,” Ceres adds before drinking.
If only toasts could be magically binding like bargains.Hmm. Perhaps I could strike one with Kanti.
No.That is all my mate says as he tips his water glass to his lips. “I hear Antoni’s much aggrieved that you abandoned him.”
Kanti sets down her glass—without even wetting her lips—and sighs. “My lovers always are.”
Is he truly heartbroken?I ask.
Keeping his expression blank, Cathal replies,No. Last I heard, he was relieved she was gone and has begged that she be kept away.
Did she seduce the wrong enemy?
Either that or Behati fabricated the vision to get Kanti out of Shabbe.
Orthe Mahananda gave her that vision to get her out of Shabbe so she wouldn’t fight me for the throne.
I like that theory best.
“I vote you head back to Tarespagia and put the Governor out of his misery,” Agrippina offers pleasantly.
Kanti frames my Serpent with a smile that’s so frigid, it drops the balmy temperature by several degrees. “As soon as Meriam’s found, I’ll be out of here.”
“What if she’s never found?” Agrippina asks.
“She will be. Taytah had a vision of her last night. She’s in Luce with Justus, hiding out in Selvati. We’ve warned Lorcan.”
My lids go wild with annoyance. “Matters of state are to be run by me. All of them. Especially those concerning my blood relatives.”
“We thought you wouldn’t want to be bothered with such things, busy as you are trying to grow your little pack.”
“I very much want to be bothered with such things,” I snap, any semblance of congeniality gone.
Agrippina runs her index finger over the rim of her mug. “Your consideration knows no bounds, Kanti.”
“None. I care fervently for my queendom.”
“Daya’s que-queendom,” Enzo corrects.
Kanti turns her frostbitten smile on him. “That’s what I meant.”
“Aodhan, could you please go fetch Behati?” I ask. “I’d very much like a glimpse of her vision.”
“Aye, aye, Sumaca.” The Crow sucks oil off his fingertips before wandering farther to shapeshift.
Kanti plants her forearms on the table, easing her torso forward. “I might not worship you, Daya, but I would never lie about a Mahananda-given vision.”
“Then you’ve nothing to fear,” I say.
She snorts. “Why would I have anything to fear?”
Cathal squares his shoulders. “Because you screw with my mate, you screw with me.”
She rolls her eyes. “Oh, please. Not only am I immune to iron, but also to toxic masculinity.”
Shadows puff from my scowling mate.
Though I’ve no doubt hecouldhurt her, I place my hand on his lap and squeeze his joggling knee to keep him from trying.She’ll get her comeuppance.
