“Wewillleave,” Lucien promises. “Now, what are the rest of your resources?”
“There’s nothing else.” Kazia frowns. “Besides you.”
That addition is gratifying—but incomplete. Lucien rubs his neck. “I might have a dragon.”
Kazia’s gaze snaps over. “Did you bond to Tezurit?”
His memory for detail is remarkable. “No. We just talk sometimes.”
“From inside the palace?” Kazia asks doubtfully. “It sounds like you bonded to her.”
“She’s just really good at telepathy.”
“Okay.”
“We’re taking it slow,” Lucien explains.
“Okay,” Kazia repeats. “So youmighthave a dragon.”
“An improvement over definitely not having a dragon.” Lucien stands up, wanting to pace around. But Kazia flinches at his movement, so Lucien remains in place. “What about Marek?”
Kazia returns Butterfly to the table, then perches on the edge. His feet swing above the floor. “Marek is a threat. Not an ally.”
“Are you sure?” Lucien asks.
“He doesn’t want the throne, but he’s a mage. He’s wing-marshal. He’s the first prince, now that Vana’s gone. If Imrik dies without declaring an heir, Marek has a claim to the throne.” Kazia fiddles with his hair. “Besides, Marek hates me.”
How many confessions can Lucien make in twenty-four hours? “I might have snooped around your parlor, and I might have found a letter box in the rat cage.”
Kazia blinks—then dramatically slumps back on the table. His head lands on an open book. “Ugh. Of course you did.”
“It doesn’t sound like Marek hates you.”
Kazia waves as Butterfly climbs onto his stomach. “He’s playing a game. Just like Vana. They keep sending me these stupid letters, even though I don’t reply. Except I replied to Vana once to ask what the fuck his problem was. Do you know what he said back?”
Lucien can’t begin to guess.
Kazia drops his arm to his side. “He said ‘it’s so nice to hear from you.’ Fucking psychopath.”
Lucien has never met Vana. He’s only met Marek a few times, but the man seems honorable enough. “Maybe they’re just trying to reach out to you.”
Kazia’s lips tighten. “That’s worse, isn’t it? I can’t trust them. They’re too dangerous.”
“Marek already has a grail,” Lucien says quietly. When Kazia doesn’t reply, he continues. “If we had the dragon corps on ourside—or if Marek just kept them out of the way—we’d have a chance at putting you on the throne. Without the dragon corps, you’re right. We need to get you out of here.”
With a sigh, Kazia levers himself up to sit. Butterfly slides down into his lap. “Marek really doesn’t like me. I’ve been extremely annoying for a long time.”
“You’ve known Marek longer than me,” Lucien says. “You know the kind of man he is. If he knew what Imrik does to you, whose side would he take?”
Kazia’s eyes widen, pale and translucent. “I can’t.”
“I won’t force you to tell him anything.” Lucien doesn’t like the idea either. Hedoesn’ttrust Marek, and he hates the thought of anyone else invading Kazia’s secrets. Like he has a responsibility to protect Kazia’s privacy, now that he’s so badly violated it. But there’s too much at stake, and Marek would be too fucking useful an ally. “Marek’s a softy, though, based on how he treats his husband. Just act cute and ask for help, and he’ll crack.”
Cuddling his rat, Kazia gives a confused frown. “I don’t know how to act cute.”
Lucien grins. “You’re always cute, brat. It’ll be easy.”
Kazia flushes and jumps to the floor. “Put the books away. The hour is almost up.” Sliding Butterfly into his jacket pocket, he starts haphazardly stacking books.
