Page 59 of The Empty Throne

Sobeki blinked, then laughed. "Saw them, didyou? Guess they no longer see any reason to hide it. Yes, they'vebeen Bonded for ages, at the insistence of the late king. I don'tknow the full of their tale, but… well, if you'd kill me to savethe world, Bittersea would destroy the world to save Cohea."

"Bittersea doesn't care about anyone buthimself."

"That was probably true for a long time, butCohea got under his skin somehow. You'll have to learn to live withhim, I'm afraid." He grinned, for a moment looking his usual selfand not the newly crowned king firmly out of her reach.

"If I must," Oskia grumbled, though she wouldnever understand why someone like Bittersea was simply allowed tokeep living when he'd probably killed more people than the whole ofthe Terekian army headed their way. "His Majesty really insistedthey Bond?"

"Yes, to make Bittersea prove himself."

"Cohea is stupid." Oskia rubbed fingers overher sore, tired eyes. "Enough about those two. What are your plans?What are the military numbers? Do we have demands and terms ofsurrender drafted? What is your plan if we are forced tosurrender?"

"Oskia?"

"What?" She drew a sharp breath as Sobekicupped her face and brushed the barest, softest kiss across hermouth.

"Breathe, Oskia, I have matters well in hand.Cohea and I have been working nonstop, and we knew you werecoming—we were alerted to the ships hours ago." He dropped hishands and took one of hers, dragging her gently along down to theend of the table where he'd been sitting and nudging her into hisvacated seat. "Read, critique, I'm going to have food brought foryou."

He didn't wait for her reply but strode offand opened the door to speak with the guards outside. Oskia wentthrough the papers, a combination of meticulous reports, compiledmessages, notes, and revisions to plans made earlier.

In another stack were drafts for terms ofsurrender should the worst happen, and drafts of demands that wouldbe made should they manage to defeat Terek, which they damned wellwould. Oskia would accept no other outcome.

She looked up as the door opened, only thennoticing that Sobeki had taken the seat to her right. Only Sobekicould sneak up on her like that, and it would never cease toaggravate her.

As if sensing her thoughts, Sobeki gave a slylittle grin before smoothing his expression out as the servantsreached them and began to lay out the food and drink he'drequested. There was enough for ten people, so he must be expectingothers to arrive.

Oskia thanked the woman who poured her teaand sipped it as she gave up on the paperwork for the moment. Shesighed softly in satisfaction. "The palace always has the besttea."

"It does. I used to steal some to take homewhenever I returned to the family estate." His mouth twisted. "TheHavenstrite Estate, rather."

Oskia reached out to tentatively cover hishand, smiling when he twisted his hand to tangle their fingerstogether. "Kite will always consider you his brother. I don't thinkanything could tear you two apart."

"I know," Sobeki said softly, "but I'm kingnow, and that changes everything, whether I want it to or not."

She'd meant to say something comforting, eventhough comforting people was not a skill she'd ever reallypossessed, but instead she said, "You have to get married. Tosomeone from Kenten, I mean. It was part of the negotiations."

Sobeki frowned, then scowled. "No, that willnot be happening."

"But—"

"Am I king or am I king?" Sobeki asked.

Oskia huffed. "You're not supposed to be oneof the troublemakers. The other two…three…have that covered."

Sobeki laughed. "Oh, don't worry, I do notremotely compare to my brother, who I think has grownveryfond of Lord Lysyken."

"Ofwho," Oskia said, nearly shoutingthe words. She set her teacup down hard. "I need something strongerthan tea. Tell me everything, right this very second."

Laughing again, Sobeki lifted her hand andkissed the back of it, lips lingering. "I do love you, Oskia. Noone lights my life the way you do."

"Oh, be quiet," Oskia said, but didn't takeher hand away. "Tell me."

Sobeki did, pouring her a cup of wine as hedid so and nudging a plate of food closer. Because it was him,Oskia took the hint and ate while he talked, everything fromCohea's adventures to Lysyken's capture and curse, until her mealand the story were finished.

"Any idea when they'll be back?" Oskiaasked.

"I managed to speak briefly with Kite a fewhours ago. Another day, two at worst, unless the weather turnsparticularly nasty. They've been pushing hard, using every trick,magic and non-magic, to get home as quickly as possible."

"You trust Lysyken?"

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