He rubs his chin in a meticulous motion, “Hmm. Well, it seems you might be wrong about this young man.”
“What do you mean?” Emer asks as her brows pull down, causing a prominent line to form between them.
“He’s running a little late. Not a good thing to have in a partner,” he comments before taking a sip. If I didn’t know better, I'd assume he was doing it to hide a smug smile.
Emer visibly bristles under my hands. I reach down and lightly squeeze her shoulder in solidarity as she grits her teeth and turns to face her father.
“Daddy, you don’t understand. It’s not like Leviathan to be late,” Emer insists.
“His actions prove otherwise,” he says, raising an eyebrow.
Emer clenches her jaw, propels herself from the chair, and drops to the empty space next to him in a huff, leaving me standing empty-handed.
“It has to be that bitch, Rez. She’s delayed him somehow.” She turns and gives her father a pleading look. “Leviathan is a worthy mate and partner for me, Daddy. He’s the only guy I want,” she whines.
“Surely any prince would do. Tauger from the Winter Court would be a good match,” he volleys back. He takes another sip of his drink before giving her a side-eye.
“Ew,” she scoffs. “He has a penchant for live Elkwads.”
Yuck!Elkwads are long, squishy, tube-like rodents. They reminded me of the human moles, except ours have long, lush fur that keeps them warm in the Winter Kingdom. Their fur can be spun into the silkiest threads that also keep you warm. Unfortunately, they aren’t cute pets, and because of their shape, some sexual toys were molded after them. Apparently, though, Tauger just skips that part.I think I’m going to be sick.
“I wouldn’t take him if he was the last thing on all the planes. Leviathan is mine,” Emer protests.
Emer holds up a finger as she starts ticking off qualities.
“His father is one of the leaders of Nova, which makes him royalty. If not that, he’s powerful in his own right. He’s alreadyversed in politics and wouldn’t be an embarrassment. Lilith dotes on him like a son. And, he easily follows orders.”
As she talks, King Elverson maintains a nonchalant presence, leaning back against the sofa, taking in her argument, and slowly stirring his drink. He would look calm and unfazed to anyone else, but as a sea harpy, one of my talents lies in reading ripples. That can be in oceans, streams, lakes, or in this case, drinks. The faint, jagged ripples of his drink give away his interest when she mentions Nerezza. Now, as to what extent? I have no clue, but he’s more invested than he lets on.
“He’s perfect,” Emer continues. “I just know it’s Rez’s fault. That bitch is adamant about keeping Leviathan and his brothers for herself if what I saw the other day means anything.” She says the last part in a whisper, but I still hear her.
What the hell did she see the other day? And why am I just hearing about it now?
“Tell me more about this girl, Nerezza.”
Emer’s eyes light up as she leans forward and explodes with all the knowledge she has of Rez. King Elverson catches my eyes and motions for me to join them, and I immediately understand he wants me to finish Emer’s hair. Let’s be honest though; it’s more like gossip and drama she’s spewing than knowledge. We really don’t know much about Rez except that she’s fucking up our plans. As Emer catches her father up with some of the things that Rez has done. Like how Rez threw Emer into the river when she apparently doesn’t have magic or a known species. Rez outsmarted my cousin and survived the Sulks attack, twice now. Emer even tells him how ruthless Rez is and how she assaulted her in Ley Line class. She finishes up with how Rez survived the EverWoods at night and without any help. How she knew the information, I still don’t know. But as she fills him in, I again notice a slight change in the ripples of his cup, so I finish my duty so I can sit back to hear what he thinks.
But before he can comment, there’s another knock on the door.
“Come in,” he calls out.
An elf soldier comes in and bows. “Sorry to disturb you, Your Majesty, but a Dean Caldron is here to see you. He stated he had information about the bonding ceremony that’s to take place today.”
King Elverson’s eyebrows raise slightly. “Is he by himself?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
He clenches his jaw slightly before standing and setting down his drink. He turns to face Emer and me while sucking on his teeth for a moment.
“Emer, don’t kill, harm, or get rid of this Nerezza?—”
“But Daddy, yo?—”
King Elverson raises his hand, stopping her. “This is what your king demands. She might be useful to me,” he says before turning and walking out of the door followed by the guard closing it.
Emer turns to look at me with wide eyes and a slack jaw.
“What are we going to do now?” I ask, wondering if our plan is that easily thrown away.
