Before Song Solstice
Marek contemplates the new addition to Kazia’s parlor. The glass-and-grate cages have been extended until they span an entire wall. Lavender-spotted white rats scurry between levels. Others snuggle together in nests of wood shavings. A small table next to the cages holds a bowl of tiny treats.
Sei sips tea on Kazia’s couch. Kazia hadn’t offered the tea, of course. Sei had suggested they have a cup together, shamelessly usurping the role of host in Kazia’s parlor.
Kazia lounges on a chair, his leg thrown over the arm. Seemingly comfortable, but with a wary edge to his gaze. He’s dressed in too many leather belts and buckles, as usual, his hair held in a messy braid. Faint shadows circle beneath his eyes.
Bringing Sei along for this reunion was the right idea. This way, Marek might actually manage a conversation with his younger brother. Kazia clearly has a soft spot for Sei—not that Kazia would ever admit it.
Less than three months have passed since Marek and Sei were last in Ostomar. The time feels like both years and an instant. They have an hour before they’re to meet the king and queen for lunch. Hopefully today’s private family meal will be less eventful than the last one.
“Did you take anything besides the rats from Radovan’s laboratory?” Marek asks, joining Sei on the couch.
“Anything I could get my hands on.” Kazia bounces his heel in the air. “Which wasn’t much.”
Marek accepts a cup of tea from Sei. They fall into silence until Sei sets his own tea down and straightens up. Marek and Sei planned this in advance—they’ll get more information if Sei leads the conversation. Sei will be sweet and tactful, luring Kazia into revealing more than he wants to.
“Tell me, Kazia,” Sei says. “Did you convince Radovan to abduct me?”
Marek chokes on his tea. What happened to sweet and tactful?
Kazia swings around to sit properly in his chair. “I wasn’t sure he would, but I was aware it was an option. Such a grasping man. He’d reached the top of his ladder in Ostomar.”
Anger flares hot through Marek. Only Sei’s hand on his leg keeps him in place—just like Marek kept Sei from helping General Gabra at the banquet.
“Why didn’t you warn me?” Sei asks, much calmer than Marek. “I thought we were becoming friends.”
“Friends?” Kazia sneers. “How appalling.”
Sei waits.
After a moment of toying with his hair, Kazia jumps to his feet. He refills his tea, stirs in too much sugar, and walks around his chair before settling back in. He crosses his legs, then uncrosses them.
As Kazia fidgets, Sei remains silent and still, leaning against Marek’s arm.
“I let everything happen because I assumed you would kill Radovan,” Kazia says eventually, looking straight at Marek. “Not let him escape.”
“Radovan didn’t escape,” Marek says.
Kazia’s eyes widen. “Oh. That’s good, then.”
Sei pushes his empty teacup into Marek’s hand. While Marek refills it for him, Sei leans forward. “You wanted Radovan dead because you knew what he was working on. What was it?”
The room falls quiet. This is the question they’re really here for. What breakthrough frightened Radovan into abandoning everything? What knowledge is so dangerous Imrik and Aliza might have killed him for it?
Kazia sets down his tea. His face is unusually serious. “It’s not important now, and it’s better you don’t know. But we’re all much, much safer now that the project is over.”
“Kazia,” Marek snaps, despite Sei’s hand on his leg. He stands up, crossing his arms. “You nearly got Sei killed. You owe him an explanation.”
“I don’t owe either of you anything. But you can try beating it out of me.” Kazia smirks—his brief cooperation is decidedly over. “That will go so well for you.”
“All right, you two.” Sei moves between the brothers. “We’re going to be late to lunch. This castle is too big.”
“Perfect. Get out of my fucking parlor.” Kazia waves at the tea tray. “Or stay and tidy up. Save my servants the effort.”
Shit. Marek has one more thing to say, if he hasn’t ruined everything by snapping. He reaches for Kazia’s arm. “Wait a minute—”
Kazia whips away from Marek’s grasp. His eyes are pure, pale poison as he hisses, “Never touch me.”
