Her sallow cheeks flush. “I’m sorry, sir. We’ve been seeing each other for the past four years.”
“His wife doesn’t know?”
“No, sir.”
There’s no heat this time. She’s telling the truth.
A slow smirk settles over my face. If Nox’s wife doesn’t know, then we have leverage.
Pelene’s shivering intensifies. Her dirty nails are chewed to the beds, and her clothes are dotted with patches. Worse, they’rethin—practically a death sentence this high up in the mountains. “I’m not a bad person, sir. When I met Jasper, I was a servant in his home. He was sweet to me. He promised me he’d leave his wife. But as time went on . . .”
“He didn’t,” Luc finishes for her, eyes soft with sympathy he should know by now to disguise.
Pelene looks sheepish. “I’m not proud of it, but I promise our relationship never affected his work, sir. Or his votes.”
No flare of magic accompanies her words.
It’s disappointing. A girl who seduces an Honorate to sway his power in her favor is clever. Rare. A girl who falls for a sleazy Honorate’s false promises is as starheaded as my mother. Worse, she’s common as snowfall.
The Republic of Virdei is ruled by a council of twenty men called the Honorate. Leading them and all of Virdei is the Praeceptor. Once his five-year reign ends, he’s meant to step down, making way for his successor, never allowed to try for the throne again.
At least, until tomorrow, when the Honorate cast their ballots to decide if the Praeceptor can vie for the throne as often as he pleases. I’ve secured nearly all the votes I need to ensure the end result is yes.
Lucwillbe Praeceptor again. I can’t afford any other outcome.
Luc pushes back his chair. “You’re free to leave, Ms. Harcot. Thank you for your time.”
Pelene stares at him in shock for a few moments beforescooping up her jaw and scrambling to her feet. “Th-thank you, sir.” She starts for the door.
Perfect.
Close enough, anyway. Luc performed well. As always, I have a few notes for improvement, but overall—
“Pelene,” says Luc suddenly.
Stars in hell.
Pelene stops, looking petrified. “Sir?”
“He’s never going to leave his wife. You know that, don’t you?”
Her fear flees, and her shoulders sag. “Sometimes.”
The resignation in her tone makes my heart twitch. Her words are as familiar as they are unremarkable. Deluding herself just as my liar of a mother used to.
I shake myself, discarding the thought along with the flicker of sympathy that rears its head in my heart.
Well, I try. I’m not wholly successful. I never am when it comes to memories of my mother.
Pelene should leave now, but she wavers. “Sir? May I ask you something?”
Say no, I mentally chant. I know he won’t.
Luc nods. “Ask.”
“How did you learn of my relationship with Jasper?”
“The Shadow Queen.”
