“Reading.”
“What sorts of books?”
His gaze skims the gilded title printed on the next book club pick which Naeva was a third of the way through narrating to me. The task now befalls poor Lachlano, because I tried reading it myself, but the letters are so small and heavily-bolded, that they look like stringed pearls.
“Mostly biographies,” he ends up saying. “Sometimes poetry.”
In other words, not the type of material that graces my nightstand. I usually prefer non-fiction to fiction myself, but I liked being included in Izolda’s tight circle too much to turn down her invitation.
“How’s your sister?” I ask.
“Which one?”
Still clutching my elbows, I rub my thumb against the ink staining my fingers. “Izolda. I don’t much care about the other’s emotional well-being.” Though, perhaps I should, since unhinged people can do unhinged things. “Did she make it out west safely?”
He links his hands behind his back, stepping deeper into my chamber, nearer to me. “Yes. I wish she weren’t so determined to help find Mestyla and Svyato.”
“I can’t believe those two are still missing,” I say.
Konstantin’s lids twitch. I wait for him to confess that Svyato is dead.
And wait.
“My land is vast,” he finally says. “The world, even vaster.”
Why don’t you trust me, Konstantin Korol?
He nods to my fingers. “Been penning perfidious edicts?”
I run my lip between my teeth. “Just a letter.”
“To?”
“A friend.”
“What sort of friend would ferry so much blood into your cheeks?”
“The sort that’s none of your business,” I say.
“You made me describe my cock.”
“I’m not writing a love letter to a secret admirer,” I snap, stabbing the painted wall at his back with my gaze. “Because I don’t currently have an admirer. What I do have is a bargain on my arm, which I intend to preserve.”
“Please don’t ink any sensitive secrets,” he murmurs quietly.
“I would never.”
“Have you heard any?”
That your train tracks aren’t defective.I should tell him, but I’m waiting for him to tell me about Svyato first. Petty, I know.
“Any recent acts of terror? Derailments?” I prod.
“No. It’s been calm.”
“Because of the influx of soldiers Salom has deployed to monitor the railroads?”
“Possibly. Or they’re biding their time, preparing for a greater revolt.”
