Page 70 of Hupotasso
As we enter the dark, grand foyer, slow applause echoes through the room, and I look up to where my enemy and his wife stare down from the top of the stairs.
It’s clear we were expected.
By rights, Spider should still be asleep. Instead, he stands with his arm firmly around Sophie’s waist. Her baby weight almost gone, she looks regal in red velvet, proudly holding Spider’s son with its shock of pure white hair — the same colour as his father’s.
Spider laughs heartily when he sees the guns.
“Well, well, well,” he sneers, “it looks like we have company,wife.”
“They knew we were coming,” Jag murmurs.
I don’t reply. That much is evident.
I study Sophie where she stands. I’d promised to free her, and I intend to keep my promise. But as to marrying her, that’s something I’ve taken a great deal of time to consider after hearing my mother’s confessionandlearning that Sophie wasn’t carrying my baby. Although the jury is definitely still out over Angie, I know I don’t want Sophie by my side. Still, killing Spider will free her. She’ll retain her title of Countess and her son will inherit his father’s seat. She’ll have power, status, wealth and freedom — the things she truly wants.
“Sophie.” I nod to her, aware this will grate upon Spider.
“Fal,” she smiles, one hand moving to rest on her stomach.
I frown. My spy said she wasn’t pregnant.
‘Is she trying to tell me she is?’
She moves her hand slightly, and I raise an eyebrow. There’s definitely a swelling there, and she’s used her pet name for me.
‘Is she telling me her mind is free once more?’
“Hiding behind women?” Jag shakes his head. “Is nothing too low for you, Spider?”
“How did you know we were coming?” I growl.
“Women’s intuition,” he snorts, nodding to a terrified-looking maid who scurries towards us from behind a stuffed black rhino and hands me an envelope with tremoring hands.
There’s no mistaking it bears the royal seal.
“What dark machinations are you up to now, you bastard?” I hiss.
“Let’s just say,” he smirks, “that word on the street was that you were suggesting I was colluding with The Free Men. A most disturbing accusation. The queen was very happy indeed to be presented with three members of that disgusting tribe, including two of its grand masters and their daughter. Our illustrious leader was, in fact, so pleased that she wrote me a note.
I bite my tongue. Although I’ve proven beyond doubt that Giselle was Spider’s and that Angelina was put in by Mother, I have yet to link Spider to The Free Men, although my gut tells me he was involved with them in some way. By capturing and murdering Isabel and her family he’s neatly produced yet another smoke screen.
“And what does the queen say about you attacking my mother through one of your minions, biting mywife,and rigging The Games?”
“Your paranoia is particularly gratifying,” he grins. “As was the news of your mother. But the selection of the contestants in your second run of The Games was nothing to do with me. Perhaps you should look closer to home to solve your marital problems.”
“Bandying words with this bastard will solve nothing,” Jag murmurs.
Flicking a dark look at Spider, I snap open the seal on the royal missive and grit my teeth as I read the contents.
It’s a warrant of protection.
The queen asserts that should any violence be carried out against the count I’ll lose my head and my title, as will all I hold near and dear. She goes on to say that she regrets missing me on my recent visit to her castle and looks forward to seeing meand my wifein court next week, and every week after that.
Saying nothing I pass the note to Jag.
He skims it before sliding it into his pocket. It’s undated, but the fact she’d written it after our cancelled meeting would indicate that Spider had anticipated an attack. The note would also suggest the queen knew he’d done something to warrant it. Clearly, the presentation of the dead Free Men had mollified and swayed her.
Without another word we turn and walk out the door into the bright morning.
