Page 31 of A Lord of Snow and Greed

“I must admit, I’m surprised to see you here. Has there been a problem?”

His sons exchanged confused glances, but the question confirmed my suspicions. Luccan wasn’t playing coy. Rather, Lord Riis was being careful around his sons. He hadn’t told them about last night.

“Perhaps Neve and I could speak to you privately?” my husband offered and gestured to a corner of the room.

“As you wish.” Lord Riis nodded, and our trio separated from the others, who promptly began joking around, mostly at Arie’s expense. I watched, amused and feeling a little bad for Arie as he stormed into an attached room. What else was down here? My answer came a moment later when Arie emerged with a sword. Though there were weapons hanging on the walls, there also appeared to be an armory attached to the sparring space.

“Should we be concerned?” I asked as Arie ran at Thantrel, sword raised, face red, and eyes burning with a desire to pummel his brother.

The Lord of Tongues spared his sons a glance. “They’re brothers. They love one another, but Thantrel knows what to say to get under Arie’s skin.”

“He lives for those moments.” Vale snorted as Thantrel sidestepped Arie’s attack with ease and grace and a huge smile on his face.

“That he does. Now, is everything all right?” Lord Riis asked once we were out of earshot.

“Fine,” Vale replied. “We took care of the vampire’s ship. They’re leaving.”

Riis’s eyes widened.

“You didn’t hear that my father requested I do that myself?”

“I have been absent from the castle all morning.”

That wasn’t an answer. After all, he was the king’s spymaster. Lord Leyv Riis had many small spiders crawling around, listening, gathering information.

“The king sent the queen to retrieve us this morning.” I took control of the conversation, desperate for answers to the questions swimming in my mind. “She used her magic on Vale and saw what happened last night.” I paused, watching the Lord of Tongues’s face closely. “But when she recounted the night to the king, she failed to mention that you, Clemencia, Anna, and your employees were present. I understand why she omitted those who were glamoured and the whores, but not you. Any idea why she did not share that information?”

Not even the barest flicker of surprise showed on his face. “The queen possesses powerful magic, but sometimes she misses things. As we grew up together, I was her test subject many times.”

He said it almost fondly, though I couldn’t see why. I wouldn’t want to be a test subject on someone rifling through my mind.

“So you think she missed it?” I asked.

“It’s true that Mother can miss things,” Vale conceded. “I think she moves too fast, especially when angered. But she said your name.”

My eyes widened. That must have been when I was in the bathroom. Vale and I had some serious catching up to do.

Lord Riis shrugged. “I cannot say. I haven’t seen the queen since yesterday.”

Vale eyed him. “I suppose it’s possible that she was more focused on the wedding when she told my father. You could have slipped her mind.”

Leyv let out a dry chuckle. “Yes, I’m sure the queen was not at all happy to hear of your nuptials.”

“No,” Vale agreed. “House Aaberg, save for my sister, is not accepting of my choice.”

“Right, well.” Lord Riis glanced at his sons. “I would appreciate it if you two didn’t mention my involvement last night to the king. As I have assured the safety of loved ones, I believe it is not too big an ask.”

He was right. He’d done a lot for us.

“We can’t control what the queen says, though,” I ventured.

Lord Riis exhaled. “I might convince her not to speak about it. In any case, I’d better try, or she might turn her anger to me.”

“Good luck with that,” Vale said. “And by the way, I need to make sure Caelo stays away from court. Father whipped Sir Qildor and threatened to do the same to Caelo. He can’t return. Not until the king’s fury cools.”

“That could be a good long while, Vale,” Lord Riis said. “And Caelo is a sworn Clawsguard. He will not like staying away.”

“It’s an order. How can I get him the message?” Vale leveled Riis with his stare.

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