Ezrielle no doubt lurked nearby as well.
“Lord Eyreling,” I said, interrupting his boring monologue, “I wondered if we might discuss our shipping agreements for the Teyre River.”
He lifted his chin in defiance before setting his full glass aside.“I would think the terms should already be clear, Prince Valeris.Haskelle charges a shipping fee for foreigners to sail down the river.It is the same for all, and Haskelle does not respond well to bribery.”
“Oh, I mean no disrespect.”The patronization in my voice made me nearly vomit, but if I wanted to coerce this man, I needed him to feel as complimented and in control as possible.“Haskelle has been and continues to be one of the giants of the trading world.You handle your bargains masterfully and never give too much away, always providing equal opportunities for your trade deals but making sure your country remains on top.I thought I might offer you something of greater value than a shipping fee, though.”
He scoffed.“What could be of greater value than a shipping fee?”
I shrugged.“A mutual trade deal.I’ve acquired the rights to the northern quarry.I know Haskelle is in great need of stone to build their new city.If we make a bargain on the ferry passage, I’m sure I could secure a more than favorable deal, maybe even get it for half the price.”
I watched the idea take shape in Eyreling’s eyes.I hadn’t even approached the Andovar about the quarry yet, but it was easier to strike a deal if someone thought you had the advantages you needed.
“What of your own country’s assets and the thriving gem trade?Would we receive a deal on those as well?”
I swallowed my growl.Greed’s unsatiated appetite always hungered for more.
“I’m sure we could arrange something.”I held out my hand.“Do we have a deal, then?”
Eyreling cocked his head, considering the offer.
My smile stiffened, irritated at having to endure his presence for any longer than necessary.
“Gentlemen!”
I threw a glance at the new arrival to acknowledge their presence, wishing them to be anywhere but here, bothering us.Instead, my jaw clenched at the sight of a woman standing an arm’s length away.Her bright blue eyes stared into mine with a forwardness I had not encountered before, making me want to step back.Was it hostility?I stared, her presence a circle interwoven with a series of secrets and puzzles left unsolved.A familiarity clung to her face, but as I ran through every royal’s and diplomat’s name in my head, I couldn’t place hers.Thick, white-blond hair cascaded down her back in a series of waves, one curl hanging over her shoulder and the rest circling around her head in many twists and braids adorned by shiny pins.My throat bobbed.I ran her face through my mind again, haunted by the idea I had met her before, but perplexed as to how I could have forgotten her.
Eyreling stood at her presence, and I followed suit, halfway pulling back my outstretched hand.
Perhaps she was the daughter of a foreigner and could help me secure a handsome alliance, proving my credibility to my father.No crown adorned her head, so she couldn’t be royalty.Perhaps a noblewoman.
Maybe she was free to dance—after I solidified this alliance.
I could make an exception.
Even though my uncle would never let me live it down.
Her gaze drifted to Lord Eyreling, and I frowned at the loss of contact but moved to secure the deal.
“Lord Eyreling,” I began, “are we—”
“My, how lovely you look tonight, miss!Rather striking, I must say.”Eyreling ignored me, all his focus fixed on the new arrival.“What is your name?”
He shifted closer to her, desire glinting in his eyes.I restrained a laugh even as irritation rose within me.The man was over twice her age.
“Analleia Kallistar, sir.”She smiled.“I understand you are Lord Eyreling, Diplomat of Haskelle, if I’m correct?”
Kallistar.
The name held significance, but I didn’t recognize it.I clenched my jaw.Her iridescently pale skin and hair should be a dead giveaway, but I kept coming up blank even as I searched farther back in my memories.I studied her as she spoke, easing so smoothly into our conversation as she bantered with the diplomat.Saying exactly what he wanted to hear.She was all smiles, lovely and full of grace and—
I froze.
Something wasoff.
“Haskelle is a wonderful country,” she said.
I tuned back into the conversation, latching onto Analleia’s words.
