Page 81 of Warlord's Plaything

I don’t answer immediately.

I don’t have the words.

I already know this is a trap.

"You waste my time, Kaelith,"I murmur, leaning back just slightly, letting them know I am not fucking cornered."Say what you mean, or don’t speak at all."

The tension tightens.

Good.

Let them remember who they are dealing with.

"The Council has concerns,"Kaelith continues, ignoring the warning in my tone.

"About?"

"Your distractions."

The fucking trap snapping into place.

"The human,"Valis adds, his voice sharper."The one you parade through the halls. The one you refuse to kill. The one you claim is nothing—yet you keep her close."

A slow smirk curves my lips.

"If you’re so concerned with my bed, Valis, I can send for someone to warm yours."

Laughter ripples through the chamber, sharp and cutting.

Valis doesn’t smile.

Good.

I want him fucking mad.

Men who are angry make mistakes.

And I am waiting for mine to make one big enough to bury him.

Kaelith tilts his chin, feigning amusement.

"You’re losing control, Xyron."

"Am I?"

"You let the rebellion breathe when it should have been snuffed out."

"I took care of the rebellion."

"No,"Kaelith says, and this time, his smirk is sharper."You played with it. Just as you’re playing with her."

I grip the armrest of my chair, fingers curling against the smooth obsidian. I’m not angry, not cornered. But they think I am. And that means they’ve finally revealed their hand.

"Tell me, Kaelith,"I muse, voice smooth, deadly."Do you want her dead because she’s dangerous? Or because she reminds you how weak you truly are?"

The silence that follows is thick.

Suffocating.

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