A knock sounded at the door, then it opened and a Harendellian guard stepped in. “Excuse the interruption, Your Grace,” he said, bowing low. “But a Valcottan messenger has arrived who wishes to speak to His Highness.”
William gave a loud snort. “Let me guess. It’s your man Adrius back from Ithicana to inform us Aren still thinks he can cling to his throne.”
“Not Adrius, Your Grace,” the soldier said. “She said her name is Daria, and she brings word directly from the empress.”
Keris tensed, and William cackled. “Worried that your wife is about to haul you back home by your heels, Veliant? Was fun while it lasted, am I right?” He slapped his thigh, a wild grin on his face, which Keris knew was a challenge for him to defy what orders Zarrah might have sent. “Bring this Daria in!”
The guard stepped out into the hall. A moment later, Keris heard the sharp thud of heeled boots against the floor, and a woman in a Valcottan uniform strode into the room. A woman who was most definitely not Daria.
Keris’s heart skipped then sped as Zarrah’s beautiful dark eyes locked on his, his tongue so twisted with shock at her appearance that he could not speak.
“Your Majesty.” She bowed low to William, then gave a smaller bow to Keris. “Your Imperial Highness.”
“Daria,” he managed to croak out, his brain racing to comprehend what possible reason Zarrah had to risk the Tempest Seas and violate every protocol by sneaking into Harendell in disguise.
William suffered no such speech impediment, his eyes slowly drifting up and down Zarrah’s body, his tone smooth as he said, “Welcome to Verwyrd, Daria. We are most delighted to have you join us.”
“It is an honor to be in your presence, Your Grace.”
William’s eyes lingered on Zarrah’s ass, the fabric of her uniform trousers tight across its curve. “It is a pleasure to be in yours, Daria.”
Every instinct demanded he beat William bloody for daring to look at Zarrah like that. Instead Keris forced his face into a mask of mild annoyance as William’s eyes flicked to him.
“God, Veliant, but I might have to reconsider having women in the military, because I envy you in the women you surround yourself with. Do all Valcottan women look like this?”
Keris gave a shrug. “Daria is quite average in looks, if I’m being honest. Very typical of what you’ll see on the streets of Pyrinat.”
William scoffed. “You can’t be serious. More beautiful than this?” He gestured up and down Zarrah’s body. Her expression was unmoved but for a dangerous gleam in her eye.
“No contest.” Keris twisted his cuff link in circles. “The empress is, of course, the most beautiful woman in Valcotta, but she is also the most likely to cut your heart out if you look at her the wrong way.”
William burst into laughter. “Noted, noted! I wouldn’t dare step on your toes, anyway. There is a certain code among friends, but I’m not sure that code extends to bodyguards. You wouldn’t mind if Daria joined me for a drink after we’re done here, would you, Veliant? I could use some cheering up with all that is going on.”
“Not at all.” Keris gave his cuff link another twist, because the alternative was to reach for a weapon. “Daria can regale you with stories about her incarceration at Devil’s Island. She was the leader of the rebels, and I daresay she took the duty of keeping her followers fed very much to heart. Didn’t you, Daria?”
Zarrah inclined her head. “One does what one must, Your Imperial Highness.”
William blanched, and Keris gave a small yawn before adding, “If you’re willing to risk your cock near that mouth, you’re a braver man than I am.”
Zarrah smiled at William, and it was all straight white teeth.
“I spoke in jest, of course.” William looked ready to be ill. “I am a married man.”
Keris rose to his feet. “By your leave, Your Grace, I’ll excuse myself to hear what orders the empress has for me.”
He started toward the door, but drew up short when Zarrah gave a soft cough. “The empress’s message is for His Grace.”
“Let’s have it, then,” William said. “I’ve other matters to attend to.”
“It is a verbal message, for Her Imperial Majesty did not wish to risk her message falling into the wrong hands, given it pertains to the queen.”
William shifted on the sofa, frowning. “What could Zarrah possibly have to say about my mother?”
Keris struggled not to cast his eyes skyward at the slip. It seemed even William realized that Alexandra ruled.
Zarrah gave another small cough. “Not the dowager queen, Your Grace.Yourqueen, the lady Lestara. It pertains to the relationship between her and Empress Petra, which resulted in the sacking of Vencia.”
“Ah.” William crossed his arms. “I find myself disinterested in what I suspect will be unjust slander of my wife. Lestara has made it very clear to me that she was used and manipulated by Petra, who took advantage of Lestara’s desire for a better future for Maridrina.” He shot an apologetic look at Keris. “You’re good fun, Veliant, but you weren’t much of a king. No offense, of course.”
