Page 57 of Fragile Oath

Avani sat up straighter in her chair, shielding the world’s most ridiculous rodent from our scrutiny. “As your future queen, I am not obligated to entertain this inquisition. I decline, on Albert’s behalf.”

“Well, oh great omnipotent future ruler,” Gwyn began, giving a flourish and a half bow from where she was seated. “If we aren’t talking about that, are we at least going to talk about what we all really want to know?”

They all looked at me, and I sighed. I didn't blame them for needing to know about the Assembly, but stars if I wouldn't just as soon avoid the topic forever.

“We could,” I allowed. “Alternatively, I could throw myself into this very fireplace.”

“Why not both?” Avani asked sardonically, arching a crimson eyebrow.

“Yes,” Gallagher chimed in, unhelpfully. “Put those legendary multitasking skills to work.”

I rolled my eyes, snatching his glass of wine from his hand and downing it. He narrowed his eyes, but instead of complaining, he grabbed the bottle for himself.

“Where shall I start?” My tone was sardonic. “At the murder accusations hurled my way or the heavy implication that there would be a coup if I didn’t comply with an investigation?”

Another beat of silence fell before Avani sighed.

“Well, I feel like we could start with the coup and work our way down.”

So we did. Blaine brought more whiskey while we talked semantics to death and rehashed everything we knew. Avani listened, interjecting occasionally until we were done.

“So,” she summed up. “We need to find out who the Viper is, but we also need to work on winning back the favor we’ve lost. Otherwise, it will just be something else after this.”

I nodded, unsurprised by her quick grasp of the situation.

“Let’s start with who voted against us,” she suggested before going down the list of names I had given her. From there, we considered potential avenues of reconciliation.

“And Fenella,” I added.

Gwyn and Avani made twin faces of irritation.

“That old bat is just mad none of us will marry her son,” Avani seethed, and her small, furry companion gave a squeak of support.

“Well, Gwynnie, here’s your big chance to help,” Gal said, nudging his sister with his shoulder.

She shot him a look of pure murder. “I’d actually rather we were all beheaded than marry into Fenella’s family.”

“But you could have a feathered wedding dress,” I offered.

“Well in that case,” she deadpanned, her expression going flat.

Avani raised an eyebrow. “At the very least, be nice to him.”

Gwyn shrugged a single shoulder. “I’m always nice.”

We all looked pointedly elsewhere, and she glared at no one in particular.

“If it’s so important to marry into their family, why doesn’t Gallagher court Lady Fenella herself?”

Gallagher gagged audibly. “On that note, I’m ready to sleep for roughly forever and purge my mind of the very disturbing mental image you have just painted.”

The twins bantered back and forth for a few more minutes before the sound of the grandfather clock alerted us to the hour. Then Gal did leave. Gwyn followed to go to her own rooms, leaving me with Avani. And Albert, of course.

Once they were gone, my cousin took the opportunity to scrutinize me.

“This wasn’t your fault,” she said after a long moment.

Whether she was referring to the general unrest or Tavish or Galina’s kidnapping, she was wrong on all counts. I had had a hand in each of those things, from pissing off the Assembly to publicly threatening my cousin to letting traitors amongst my guard.

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