Page 30 of The Nymph King

“I care whether the Norn lose someone competent.”

“Yes.”

“I care whether his death destroys my chances of reclaiming Essenheim.”

“Yes.”

Imani scowled. “Stop agreeing with me like that.”

Esa folded her hands in her lap. “Would you prefer I disagree?”

“I would prefer you stop looking pleased.”

“I’m not pleased. I’m fascinated.”

“Why?”

“Because yesterday you would have called his death an acceptable cost if it got you what you needed.”

The words made Imani’s head reel back. She opened her mouth, ready to deny it, but she couldn’t.

When she had arrived in Vathis, Ellisar had been a piece on the board. A dangerous yet also attractive one, unfortunately. But still a piece she could maneuver if she understood him well enough.

Now she knew he listened to his council instead of ruling over it. He would not send prisoners to die in his place. He would risk himself before asking another person to bear a danger he would not. And apparently elderly servants could order him to eat. Every new fact made using him more inconvenient.

“I barely know him,” she said.

“You don’t have to know someone well to decide you don’t want them dead. You might be ruthless, but you’re not without a conscience, Imani.”

“This is precisely why sentiment is useless.” Imani scraped both hands over her face. “If I let him do this, he dies because of me.”

A sobering expression crossed Esa’s countenance. “Yes.”

The ache in Imani’s chest pulsed.

“And if I refuse the test,” she added, “his council may never believe me. Tanyl keeps the throne. Kiran keeps searching. The Norn stay divided.” Imani pressed her palms together, thinking through the possibilities again. “Every path still costs someone.”

“Then find another path.”

“Such pretty words,” Imani scoffed.

Esa shrugged. “You’ve escaped executions, survived Kiran, crossed realms, and somehow made a forest eat men for you. Surely you can devise one convincing demonstration that does not require killing Ellisar.”

A frustrated breath left Imani. “That is not helpful.”

“It wasn’t supposed to be. It was supposed to annoy you into solving it.”

Imani let her head fall into her hands. Esa was right that there had to be another solution. “I need to think,” she said into her palm.

Esa rose. “Good.”

“I mean actually think,” Imani said, raising her head.

“I know.”

“I’m not sleeping.”

“I assumed as much.”