Page 66 of Wayfinder
“May I offer a suggestion?” Duke Ako’s deep blue gaze danced between me and Pearl.
“Of course, my Lord.” The Baron gave a perfect imitation of acquiescence.
“If you are having such trouble with the human chef, I accept her as my birthday gift.”
“What?”
I didn’t know who asked louder, Pearl or Baron Oappo.
The Duke held out a hand to my mate. I felt her gaze on me as she responded with trembling fingers, giving her hand over to his grasp.
“I would be most proud to have a chef of her caliber at the citadel.”
The Duke’s words rang in my ears. While considered a fairly decent male and leader, there were rumors of his proclivities toward human women. Yet, in watching him with Pearl, I didn’t detect the slightest hint of lasciviousness in his demeanor. No, he regarded her in much the way Praxxan did Priemba, with affection and fatherly concern.At my sister’s quelling glance, I pushed back the desire to rage against the idea that another male felt he owned my mate—for now.
“I would be honored to cook for you,” Pearl gushed, dropping into a curtsey so pathetic but equally adorable that I nearly laughed out loud.
“No... No... I just....” The Baron sputtered, the dark eyes atop his head growing comically large.
“I thank you most graciously for your gift, Baron. You will be the envy of all patrons at my birthday celebration,” Duke Ako praised, but as he glanced at Praxxan, his eyes grew hard.
As a Stranac, my sister’s mate resembled something from Earth referred to as a lion. Basically humanoid in appearance, save for feline features of a broad nose, wide almond-shaped dark eyes, and razor-sharp teeth. Praxxan stood as tall and broad as me, with the addition of a long tail tipped with a tawny puff of fur. His hands were more paw-shaped, each digit ending with a short black claw. The long, tawny mane, a feature echoed in my adorable niece, he wore pulled into a tight braid.
“Baron Oappo. You are under arrest.” Praxxan stepped forward, his voice holding the tenor of authority.
“What?” Baron Oappo shuffled backward, his throat expanding as he gulped for air. “For what?”
I felt Pearl jerk at Praxxan’s words. She moved to my side, trembling fingers resting on my chest just above where my heartechoed hers. I slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close—a motion that did not escape the Duke’s notice.
“For conspiring to kill Duke Ako.” Praxxan’s lips twitched, and I knew he struggled not to express his utter glee. He detested the Baron. “The stroaig meat you personally provided for his meal was laced with fenykl, a deadly poison.”
“No... I... I....” The Baron stumbled toward the door, knees buckling with each step.
“Guards restrain the Baron.” This time, Praxxan didn’t attempt to hide his smile.
Duke Ako watched the Aljani guards' shackle Oappo, his only lapse in control a glance shared between him and my sister.
The guards went to remove the Baron when he crumbled to his knees.” Wait... I will tell you everything."
“Hold.”
Duke Ako moved from where he stood by Jala, kneeling beside the Baron,
Baron Oappo whimpered, sheepishly meeting the Duke’s gaze. Ako had been a fierce warrior in his youth, a champion of the Alliance gladiator games. Even now, facing the Baron in all his royal finery, he appeared dangerous and deadly.
“Speak,” Duke Ako growled at the Baron. “And you know your words hold your life within them.”
The Baron’s thick swallow was audible. “I... I....” He gulped again and seemed to find courage from somewhere. “It was Nansar!”
A tremor of shock traveled through us all, save Duke Ako. His face did not betray the slightest emotion. Neither did his voice.
“My son... Nansar?”
“Yes.” The Baron gulped again. “Nansar sent Kerzak to intimidate me into using the stroaig. Ask Chancellor Qaimus—he was there. Nansar told me that if I didn’t serve you thestroaig at your birthday dinner, he would send the Kerzak back to punish me.”
Sweat beaded and fell from the Baron’s face... or was it tears? I couldn’t tell.
Slowly, Duke Ako rose to his feet, his face a mask except for the slightest flicker of aggravation clouding his eyes. It must be rough realizing that your child wants to kill you.
