Nox lowers her head.
“Do not disappoint me. Our pit of bodies grows fuller by the day.”
“Yes, Majesty.”
She rises, curtsies, and leaves before anything else can be said.
The moment she clears the room she does not slow. She moves through the corridors quickly, her composure cracking just enough for the irritation to bleed through.
I cannot fucking stand it here.
Larkin falls into step beside her. “Took you long enough.”
“Tell them to prepare the ship,” she snaps. “I would rather walk into Rathmor and suck the toes of one of their sick king's corpse toys than stay here another moment.”
He nods and moves ahead, already barking orders.
Footsteps follow behind her. Tamal. He falls into place beside her, matching her stride.
“What have you learned?” she asks.
“Not enough,” he says. “Not enough to kill him.”
“Fuck.”
She exhales. “Back when you were in Veynar for that ball, did you learn anything? Did you meet her? Asharin? Other royals?”
He does not answer immediately. That is enough.
“We will need leverage,” he says finally. “Strength. If we are going to usurp him.” A pause. “And do not forget, the key is a sacrifice. Whoever it is will not survive.”
“Not my problem.”
She looks at him. Really looks. “Do you know something you are not telling me?”
“No,” Tamal says smoothly.
She feels it immediately. The tension. The hesitation. He is nervous.
“What did you learn?” she asks again.
He smiles, that easy charming smile he does to distract those who find him charming. “I do have other news?—”
Her hand lifts slightly toward Tamal. “Be careful, dear brother,” she says, caressing his cheek with her index finger.
Tamal’s body relaxes.
She smiles. “What do you know of the key, Tamal?”
She thinks of her father’s words.Feeders can compel us. Enslave us, if they choose.
Her smile widens.
“When I went to Rathmor,” Tamal says, his voice calm, “I used our power to seek the truth. I believe the key to be Yvara of Veynar.”
“Princess,” Larkin calls. “The ship awaits.”
Nox places her hand on Tamal’s shoulder. “Thank you,” she says sweetly.
