Page 112 of Pain

He made a noise of agreement. “Indeed.”

“Do you think the van Cortlandts could be a problem?” I asked. “Could they dispatch a ten-thousand-person army to the doorstep of the cave tomorrow?”

“The van Cortlandts have always been a problem. Your father had the friendliestof relations with them out of all the Demon Kings, but there was still tension there. I’m sure news of you being half human has reached them by now and they’re not happy. However, Ivar is also not a fool, and bides his time. He waits for the war, staying out of all the minor battles. I also know he absolutely hated Lerris. Thought he was a spineless, slimy, untrustworthy abomination to your family name. So he may have something to say about Howar and Lerris joining forces.”

“But either way, you think they’re quietly rallying their troops, to oppose me and to go stand on the corner with signs like those pro-life whack jobs we see everywhere?”

“It’ll be more discrete than that, but yes. He could also be putting his funds and resources into an entirely different challenger. That wouldn’t surprise me. As much as they were happy about Calliope’s union with Howar, Ivar has always looked out for himself and his family name first. His loyalty will be with Howar until it no longer suits him.”

I sighed and snuggled in deeper against him. “The list of people who hate me just keeps growing.”

“Yes, but the list of people who adore you does as well.”

I glanced over my shoulder at him, staring up into his beautiful blue eyes and whispered, “Thank you.”

He nodded, a small smile tipping up one corner of his mouth. “You’re very welcome.”

“Do you think we need to worry about Ivar van Cortlandt showing up tomorrow?”

“I think we need to entertain the possibility. To disregard him as a player would be foolish. However, we should focus on determining where Anysa’s fealty lays, and deal with Howar and Lerris. One thing at a time. If Ivar shows up, maybe you could strike a deal with him. Hewascordial with your father. Perhaps that carries some weight.”

I slid into his mind long enough to know that he didn’t think Ivar van Cortlandt would speak with me, let alone strike a deal with me. But I couldn’t dwell on that right now. If Ivar showed up, we’d take him and his army out justlike we planned to take out the rest of the traitors.

I kissed his jaw, then faced forward again, focusing on the bubbles while my mind reeled with all Drak just told me. The threats were coming from everywhere now.

I crossed my toes beneath the water that Queen Anysa wasn’t with Howar or Lerris. It would really suck to have to imprison a fellow queen.

My sleep was awful. I was up and down so many times throughout the night. One minute I was too hot, the next too cold. The guys even alternated who slept in the bed with me in case it was their body heat that kept me from getting any sleep. In the end, they left me alone, and that was what finally allowed me to get some rest.

It wasn’t particularly restful rest, and I felt better when I woke, but I was still exhausted and an emotional wreck over Gemma.

When I trudged my way out into the living room and kitchen area, the guys were all already awake and drinking coffee.

“Have you messaged Howar yet?” I asked, accepting a mug of coffee from a half-naked Zandren.

Drak shook his head. “We were waiting for you.”

“I’d like to speak with him on the phone,noton speaker,” I said, having spent a large portion of my tossing and turning, devising my speech to Howar, in my head.

Drak’s eyes barely flared, but he nodded and handed me his phone. “As you wish.”

I sat down on the black leather couch that was positioned up against a big set of square windows overlooking the field. Thick dewdrops clung to every blade of grass and, as the sun slowly rose in the east, it cast the field into a blanketof diamonds. I gave myself a minute to admire the beauty of the morning, take a couple of sips of my coffee, and just wake up before I found Howar’s number.

“Drak,” came Howar’s voice after a few rings. “Where are you?”

“Good morning, Your Majesty,” I said in a sweet sing-song voice.

“Oh, uh … Y-Your Majesty,” Howar stammered loud enough they could all hear him. The guys snorted and smirked. “My apologies. Good morning. How are you?”

“I am afraid I am unwell.”

“Oh, how terrible. Are you calling to reschedule?”

“Not at all. I’m sure I will rally soon. However, I am changing the location of our meeting. We had to stop for the night and have decided not to travel any further south. Where I am should be fine.”

The next sound to come out of Howar’s mouth made me think a seagull just stole his phone. “B-but we are already here. At the Palace of Venixe.”

“How did you get there?” I asked, taking another sip of my coffee.

---