Page 78 of Under the Lion Star

“Anyway,” she pressed on. “I heard two men’s voices saying they needed a new tactic, that each day the truce stretches, ‘the mines’ are hemorrhaging money.”

“The mines?” I asked.

Sanna shrugged.

“Fjorn had needed a lot of ore and stone to sustain the war effort,” Liras tapped his chin. “Maybe if we figure out who owns the mines? Without the need for weapons and building materials, I could see whoever profits from the raw material would take a considerable loss of income.”

“Our project could increase the demand again,” Orin told Liras.

“Project?” I asked and watched as both boys flushed nervously.

“We’re thinking about proposing to rebuild Haerbor,” Orin rubbed the back of his neck. “We’ve been researching material costs, timelines, and feasibility before bringing it up.”

“One of the issues on the docket for the council is the lack of airable soil,” Liras added. “The farms that used to operate near Haerbor were always more fertile than those near Galvord or Hinterholm.”

“That’s a great idea!” Sanna grinned. “Why haven’t you brought it up already?”

“Figured Leor would want to determine who was trying to kill him before taking on such a large project.”

“So, wait,” I held up my hand. “If the mines' profit loss is the motive, how does killing Leor solve that?”

“Orin would be crowned,” Sanna offered. “Given his age, they might feel he would be more easily influenced to return to war. Plus, if I were a lord, I’d probably assume someone nicknamed ‘The Butcher Prince’ would be a bit more bloodthirsty than Leor.”

Orin winced at the moniker.

“If they made it appear that humans were involved in Leor’s death, Orin would be forced to retaliate.”

It was a lot of information to take in, but we had potentially identified the motive. Several lords had hinted at the war resuming. If we could just determine who owned the mines in question, we may be able to figure out who the assassin was. Or assassins if Orin’s theory was correct.

My stomach churned at the thought. Leor lived life on a dagger’s edge. I saw it at every meal we shared. It had to be weighing on him, and with everything else he was dealing with, it would be nice if he could enjoy a meal without fear.

“Can you two figure out which lords own mines? I’m sure several of them do, but at least that will give us an initial list to work off of.”

They nodded.

“And you,” I pointed to Sanna. “You tell me if you overhear anything else, okay? People underestimate you. Use that to your advantage.”

Sanna nodded with a determined expression. We were closing in on the assassin. Leor no longer needed to face this fight alone. His siblings and I could do the legwork. All he needed to do was remain alive. Easier said than done.

Chapter 26

Leor

As the nightmare faded, I felt the shifting weight of the mattress near my legs. Warm fingers coasted over my lower stomach, and Zialda’s breath warmed the side of my neck. I moved to lie flat on my back as her fingers traveled further down my body.

“Do you always sleep naked?” She whispered.

“Only since marrying you,” I replied breathily.

She hummed her appreciation, sliding her hand over my cock and wrapping her fingers around it while I grew harder under her attention. My eyes fell closed, allowing myself to take in the sensations as her palm moved over my shaft.

Z slid under the covers, positioning herself between my legs. The wet warmth of her tongue sent a current through me when she pressed it against the base. She licked up to the tip, flicking her tongue over the head several times.

I groaned, pulling up the sheet to watch her take me further into her mouth. Silver eyes met mine, speckled with white flecks that glinted in the moonlight from the windows.

I was gone for this girl. This capable, intelligent, compassionate woman had thoroughly ruined me. And I’d enjoyed every second of my destruction.

“You like sucking your husband’s cock?” I asked, feeling the moment my dick hit the back of her throat.

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