“I met Governor Greco at Fallon’s coronation,” Priya says.
“For like, a second, because Daya couldn’t control her animal.”
Enzo white-knuckles his fork and knife. Is my placid-tempered Serpent picturing planting his utensils inside Kanti?Do love sigils exist?The burst of his voice through the bond combined with the tenure of his question startles a frown onto my face.
Not love sigils, but there exists a seduction sigil. It’ll wear off unless reapplied regularly, though.
Then Kanti is either using those on Antoni or she’s lying about his rapture.
What made you reach this conclusion?
I know Antoni Greco from when he was a boat captain in Tarelexo. He was one of the kindest men I ever worked for. He would always slip me an extra coin and made sure my belly was full when I pretended I wasn’t hungry. He also let me sleep on his fishing boat in the dead of winter when the barn got too cold. Antoni might lay with a woman like Kanti, but he’d never fall for her.
Kanti’s a very powerful woman.
Antoni’s governor now. I doubt he hungers for power.
I hear crowns make people more attractive.
Enzo’s black eyes taper on Kanti’s brow.I don’t see any crown.
She wants one.
Asha said it was yours by birthright.He leans back in his chair.
It may have been destined for me in my past life, but I no longer have blood magic.
Blood magic doesn’t make you Shabbin; it makes you a sorceress.He gestures toward Abrax who stands to the side with three other male guards.Unless you don’t consider the men in the queendom Shabbin?
When did you get so wise, Enzo Fronz?
Not wisdom. Just observational skills. That crown is still yours.
I don’t even know if I want it.
Even if you didn’t, there’s no way the Mahananda will give it to Kanti. I’d stake my ability to shift on that.
I hiss at him.Never make such bets, not even in jest. Please. I care about you far too much now.
A boyish grin seizes his young face. One that grows in intensity when Asha snatches a bowl of fried zucchini blossoms and spoons four onto Enzo’s already heaped plate. Though she moves around the table, holding out the glazed ceramic dish for the rest of us to serve ourselves, her pink gaze sticks to my fellow Serpent’s plate like barnacles on turtle shells.
I smile.You better eat before Asha spoon-feeds you in public.
Enzo grips his fork, hunches over to approach his face to his plate, then begins to shovel food into his mouth. He barely swallows before gulping down the next bite. I sense he isn’t doing it solely for Asha’s sake. I sense he’s starving.
You should’ve eaten while I rested.
I ate some seaweed and cockles.
That isn’t enough for a growing boy.
I’m nineteen. Doubt I’m still growing, Day.
You’re putting on muscle.
I wish,he mumbles.
They will come.
