Page 92 of Ruling the Green

But my father had neglected to do his part. And Tove had likely retired before he realized. Leaving my father to stay awake, ranting and raving all through the night.

I hoped to hell no servants saw or heard him like that.

Little by little, I saw Cass start to fade.

“I will look into that for you, Father,” I said before excusing myself. Every second I was there was a second he wasn’t sleeping. If he crashed soon, he could still get a solid five hours before he had to get up for the festivities. It wasn’t ideal, but it was damn sure better than nothing.

“Look into what?” Vishen asked

“Some slight from several human lifetimes ago,” I said with a snort. “Tove fucked up and didn’t make sure he took whatever he drugs him with before he went to bed himself.”

“Have you ever considered—” Vishen started, but a guard appeared out of nowhere, making us both lapse into silence until we were back on our floor.

“Considered what?” I asked when we were once again in my study.

“That Tove could be the one driving your father insane? Think about it. He has unlimited access to your father, to his quarters, to his food and drink…”

“If he were, why wouldn’t he dose him when he has public appearances? Why not keep the crazy under wraps?” I asked, dropping into my desk chair.

“To sow doubt? So he can form alliances against Cass?”

It was possible.

But so were a hundred other scenarios. That was the problem. The threat could be coming from outside or within. All we knew was it was coming. Soon. And we were running out of time.

“Jet?” Serin whispered, making us both turn to see her standing there, still in one of my shirts, her hair bed-messy. “Is everything okay?”

“Isn’t Nira with you?”

“She just said your father needed you.”

“My father needed to rant and rave, as usual. Did you have another nightmare?” I asked, waving her over.

“Yeah,” she admitted as she got close enough to my desk for me to reach and pull her onto my lap.

Vishen’s brows rose, but he said nothing.

Serin curled into me, her body soft, her face going to my neck.

“I’ll leave you two.”

“Hey, look over this,” I said, producing the page of ramblings. “See if there is anything that could be true in it.”

“I’ll let you know,” he said, moving out into the hall, closing the door behind him. I could hear the sound of his and Nira’s voices growing more distant as they moved down the hall.

“Was it the same dream?”

“No. This time, I was in Grimwood’s cellar… dehydrating with no hope of a sip of water.”

“That’s not gonna happen,” I promised her as my hand slid up and down her spine.

“What time is it?”

“Almost dawn.”

“Are you coming back to bed?”

“I’m awake now. I can bring you back to bed, though, sit with you while you fall asleep.”