“Do you have any idea who’s tampering with your train tracks?”
The corners of his mouth dip. “Your father’s convinced of this as well.”
“You aren’t?”
“Most of the killings and terror plots that have occurred target people who are friendly with your kind. My trains are mainly filled with laborers—humans and half-bloods: the most vociferous antimorphs. Their deaths don’t align with the terrorists’ narrative.”
“What areyourthoughts on shifters?”
He slants me a look. “If I didn’t trust your kind, I wouldn’t be celebrating my reign with the lot of you.”
“Hmm.”
“What is that sound supposed to mean?”
“That you’re celebrating with us because your sister organized your Jubilee, and she’s mated to a Crow.”
His jaw ticks. “I like most of you just fine.”
“Most of us, huh?” I snort over the orcas’ merry squeals. “I’m guessing I’m not amongst themostafter our inimical introduction.”
The barest smile touches his mouth, sloughing away some of his icy demeanor.
“What will you be shopping for in Voshna?” I ask. “New earrings?”
“No.”
“A fancy new suit for the gala, then?”
“And affront my tailor?” His tone is light. “I wouldn’t dare.”
“Konstantin!” His stepmother calls out, traipsing over to us, arm in arm with her sister.
I back up, but before turning, I say, “Thank you for trusting me with your kingdom’s problems, Vizosh.”
“Atsa insists on lunch at our house,” I hear Milana say as I start toward Elio, Zia Syb, and Phoeppa. “I checked with your sister, and she says it’s a wonderful idea.”
I don’t linger to hear whether Konstantin thinks it’s a wonderful idea as well. It’s none of my business. Only his dead sister is my business.
A sister I go looking for that very evening, after the big event, with a most unlikely companion.
11
ISLA
By the time Lev and I reachOloho Samovor the Tin Teapot in my tongue, my feet are sorer than my shoulders. Not so much because of our walk from the old town to the human district, but because I’ve been traveling over cobbled streets lined with food and drink stands, watching performances from local poets, dancers, and musicians for the better part of the afternoon.
Izolda’s carnival was decadent and magical, loud and festive. Even Jaytair, so averse to gatherings and fun, had stuck around, and not just to keep an eye on Naeva and me. We’d even caught him sharing a laugh with Aodhan.
A laugh.
With Aodhan.
I couldn’t wait to tell my father.
“Remind me why we’re here?” Lev asks, sidestepping a still-steaming mound of horse dung.
“I’m here to have a drink,” I lie. For obvious reasons, I don’t tell him the true reason for journeying to this specific establishment. “You’re here because you eavesdropped on theconversation about rattling Serpent cocks I was having with the friendly bartender.”
