Ryn hadn’t arrived yet, and Krait leaned back in his chair, watching us like a predator sizing up prey. Forks scraped plates, and I found myself happy to share a peaceful, albeit stiff, meal.
Van sat beside Asterie’s chair with his head in her lap. His wide, begging eyes stared up at her, requesting meat scraps, which she’d happily snuck him multiple times since dinner had begun.
“What has been happening in the Corridors? And do you foresee any threats in the moonstone?” I asked Asterie.
Asterie stroked Van’s head between his horns. “All seems quiet. The defectors from the Sahlms and the North Corridor were pushed to the northwest corner of the realm.” Asterie glanced at Darvanda. “Not many survived the Warhorses—I no longer think there is a threat of Firose’s army rising under new leadership.”
“They returned to Sahlmkar,” Krait cut in.
Asterie eyed him. “And you condone war criminals hiding out in your realm?” she asked with seeming indifference, but her shoulders had grown tense.
Krait’s brow furrowed, matching her challenging tone. “They were detained upon entering the Sahlms. I positionedSahlmsaran guards along the border. My guards in Sahlmkar already seek out those who Death-wield. Our prison is rather full of those awaiting punishment.”
He hadn’t told me any of that.
I took a long pull of wine, not showing my ire. “At the council meeting, Emmerick mentioned he is seeking advisors. Has he shared who he is considering?”
Krait’s attention shifted to me. I disliked the intensity of skepticism in his stare.
“He has not...” Asterie looked between me and the Shadow-wielding King. “Should we be concerned about him?”
Elsedora cackled at something Fenris had said, cutting through the weight of Asterie’s question.
“No, no. I just wish for him to have capable help, that’s all.”
“We visit frequently, so does Amara—he would tell us if anything was amiss. I’m sure of it,” Asterie assured me.
“What are sentiments like in Luz about my alliance here?” I asked.
Asterie’s gaze narrowed on Krait. “There is still hesitation about Source-wielders reentering Henosis, even among those in Luz.”
Krait let out a “Hmph,” resting an elbow on the arm of his chair and his head on his hand. “What else is new?”
Asterie didn’t seem deterred by Krait’s foul mood. “Skepticism has lessened since your aid during the attack. Word traveled fast that you saved the city. I only hope that we can continue to build that trust.”
It was the most polite threat I’d ever heard.Shedidn’t trust Darvanda, and she couldn’t be blamed for that. Her upbringing had been rooted in keeping magic distant from the realm.
“Do you feel a royal marriage between us will deepen that trust?” I folded my hands on the table.
The table quieted before Elsedora burst out in giggles. I knew Ryn had told her. The two of them seemed incapable of keeping secrets from each other.
As though his loose tongue had been summoned, Ryn opened the dining room door and stepped inside. “What did I miss?” he asked, looking at the mixed bag of reactions around the table.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Fenris breathed out, distracted from my revelation. “Rynall?”
The Prince of Phynx cracked a smile. “Shit—El said your notorious ass was still alive. But I didn’t believe it until now.”
Ryn crossed the room to grip Fen’s extended hand. He pulled him by the forearm from his chair into a short, aggressive embrace.
“So, not going to try to kill me then?” Fenris asked.
“Heavens no. If my father hadn’t died that night, I’d have killed him myself. His blood would’ve been on my hands,” Ryn said as his eyes dipped to Vangard, who was still gazing up at Asterie, happily wagging his tail.
“But the city...” Fenris trailed off. Four centuries ago, Firose had seduced Fen, her then fiancé, into giving her half of his power. She’d used it to compel Van to fight alongside Brennax and destroy Phynx.
Asterie grabbed Fen’s hand and squeezed it.
Ryn shook his head. “That was Firose and Stygian’s doing.”
