Page 142 of Of Nine So Bold

Clay choked back a small chuckle. “You realize you can’t ask us that if you’re king, right?”

Niko’s eyes widened.

“He’s joking,” Lars assured the younger man quickly.

“Uh, I kind of wasn’t,” Clay countered.

“Then you’re not helping.”

“Enough.” Dex cut the brothers off before they could keep arguing. He met Niko’s eyes firmly. “Yes, it’s a very good strategy.”

Gratitude flashed over Niko’s face. “Thanks.” The worry returned. “Except itdoesleave Gwyneira and me on our own up here.”

The others exchanged a wary glance.

“The duke is up to something,” Casimir said quietly into the silence. “I cannot determine what, but his face offers hints of his true reactions, and they are… strange, given the circumstances.”

“I noticed,” I murmured.

Respect showed in Casimir’s eyes as he nodded at me.

Lars shifted his weight with discomfort, but his voice was striving for optimism when he said, “The old bastard was always up to something. It’s not surprising he’s still trying to scheme now, right?” He directed the last to his brother hopefully.

Clay frowned, not taking his eyes off the duke. “Yeah.”

“We’ll keep an eye out,” Dex assured them both. “But Niko’s got a point too. If it’s just him and Gwyneira up here?—”

“Take the wolf instead,” Roan cut in. “I’ll stay.”

Niko’s worried look returned. “They’re expecting seven of us.”

“They’re not going to complain if there’s one less dwarf,” Roan countered. “And the wolf can do plenty of damage if needed.” He gave Ruhl a pointed glance, like he was ordering Ruhl to do exactly that.

Ruhl’s head tilted ever so slightly, almost as if agreeing.

“Good enough.” Dex nodded. “But don’t let Niko or Gwyneira out of your sight, understood?”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Dirt and debris crunched as Ignatius walked closer. “If your people are ready,” he said, directing the words at Casimir and Niko alike, like he was being careful to address both the king and thepotentialking in our group. “We can head down into the tunnels that supply the fountain now.”

Niko nodded, and the others did as well.

“There used to be sleeping quarters in the east wing,” Ignatius continued, pointing. “If you and your friend—” I could hear the slight pause before he called me Niko’s friend, and itmade me tense. “—would like to find a place to stay down there, you’re more than welcome.”

“Thank you,” Niko said.

“Yes,” I added. “Thank you.”

Ignatius bowed his head in acknowledgement.

Maybe it was my imagination, but the nod seemed a bit deeper than any he’d given the duke.

Interesting.

“This way.” Ignatius started toward the far end of the enormous room.

Dex exhaled slowly. “Watch your backs,” he ordered my men quietly.

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