“You may eat.” He waved his hand to her, and she beamed at his approval. This was the same maid who tried to throw herself at him, and he didn’t like her.
“Kalon visited me,” Seda started, and Ael’s gaze quickly shifted back to her. “Things aren’t what they seem.”
“What do you mean?” Roya asked.
Seda’s face blanched as she hesitantly said, “Kalon says that Feich is still alive.”
“That liar!” Roya stood from her chair and slammed her hands on the table. “We saw him die.”
“Well…” and the words tumbled out. When she finished, everyone’s mouth dropped open in complete shock.
“There’s no way,” Ferona said. “Our brother would never go against Roya… againstyou.”
“Think about it, Ferona. His body disappeared when the Mungder attacked him, and then it chomped on itself and exploded in anger when there was nothing within its tentacle.”
Stunned silence echoed through the room. The only sound came from Askold’s slow chewing.
Roya’s eyes were wide with horror. The information was settling in deep within her, though, as she looked over Seda, focusing on the wall above, chewing on her lip.
The events Seda mentioned with the Mungder must be accurate.
“It’s true,” Vira, who spoke for the first time, said. “There are other Corvids who are hesitant toward you, Seda. I’ve heard their whispers. They spoke of someone gathering sources and people to their aid. It must be Feich.”
“When did you hear this?” Ferona asked.
Seda’s eyes snapped to the two new Corvids, as if seeing theywere there for the first time. “I’m sorry, I didn’t introduce myself. I’ve had quite a morning.”
“I’m Vira,” the tall Corvid woman said as she stood from her chair and bowed at the waist to Seda. “This is my sister, Sephyr.” She gestured to the small Corvid woman beside her, who quickly stood and also bowed. “Our mother told us stories growing up of a queen who ruled over all Corvids. We knew you would return to us someday. We’re here to serve.”
“Um… It’s nice to meet you both,” Seda replied as she blushed bright pink at their displays of respect. It was obvious Seda wasn’t sure how she felt about all of this.
The two women sat back down, but Vira looked toward Ferona and answered her question. “The other day, we heard some quiet whispers. Only a few have joined his cause.”
Ferona and Roya pursed their lips in response.
“I don’t trust anything that man says, Sed. He stole the moonstone and just took off into the night. How do we know he isn’t lying again?” Ael growled.
“I don’t think we have much of a choice right now. He said he’s holding onto it and would give it back.” Seda’s gaze flickered between his. She obviously believed this story, and he gritted his teeth together as he refrained from arguing further.
He would kill this man, or god, or whatever the fuck he was when he showed his face again.
“You haven’t told us why Suza’s coming with us,” Ael snarled as he looked pointedly at the petite maid sitting at the table, eating through a bowl of berries and cheese.
“Oh, yes. This is Suza. She works for Kalon,” Seda replied as she looked at the woman. Suza’s disguise flickered, and her serpentine form showed below the illusion.
Shock and disgust flared through him, and he quickly stood from his chair. “Abso-fucking-lutelynot.”
Seda also stood from the table and glared at him with furious,glowing irises. “She’s coming with us, even if you don’t want her to. She’s coming withme.”
Suza wasn’t to be trusted, along with her piece of shit master. He wouldn’t allow it.
Benny cleared his throat, and they parted their gaze from each other. “A lot of things are at play right now. We need all the help we can get, Ael. If Seda trusts her, I trust her.”
Of course he did.
Roya looked over at Benny and smiled weakly at him. Then she also stood from the table. “It’s settled. It’s time to go.”
“Yeah, Ael, pull that wedgie out of your ass. Wake up and stop being a dick,” Luelle scolded.
