Page 18 of Path of the Dark
Ryana drew in a sharp breath and took a smart step back from him. Cool air rushed in between them, breaking the spell he’d cast over her. “We don’t want the same thing,” she said, her tone icy. “I, for one, would love to see Nathan take his army south and knock your father off the Swallow Throne.”
Elias watched the enchanter stalk from the garden. Not hampered by long skirts today, she was able to stride out. Unlike the night before, her present attire didn’t show off her ample cleavage. However, it did reveal her long, shapely legs.
Turning back to the fountain, his gaze rested upon the cavorting nymph and the look of ecstasy on its face.
He enjoyed sparring with Ryana. He hadn’t liked seeing the glint of victory in her eyes the evening before, and had been hoping to get his revenge. But, just like at the ball, she’d managed to get the last word.
He hadn’t followed her to the garden to goad her.
Ryana of the Dark had a high position in the Order, higher than he’d realized last night, and as such she was dangerous. He knew he’d do well to get the woman onside, to win her trust. Perhaps he could even use to her to get close to Ninia.
Inhaling the scent of spring bulbs, Elias turned from the fountain and began walking back toward the entrance. Such machinations would have to wait for another day; a long afternoon of negotiations stretched before him.
The morning had gone well. Elias had enjoyed the cut and thrust of it. He hadn’t minded that everyone in the council chamber had watched him with hard, suspicious gazes.
Nathan had seethed the entire time, yet he’d still negotiated. Elias had been surprised to discover that he and Nathan thought along similar lines. Elias had negotiated for things that he would want wereheking of Anthor. His father had given him little direction, so he made up the rules himself.
Part of him was impatient to see his mission through, but nonetheless Elias found he liked the game of politics and diplomacy. This was the first time this role had ever been thrust upon him, for the last decade had been spent captaining his father’s army. All his life he’d been a warrior. Now he had the chance to excel in other areas.
This morning he’d been able to focus on negotiating peace, to distract himself from his real purpose.
But Ninia has to die,a voice needled him. The longer you wait, the harder it’ll be.
Elias cursed his father for making him do this. It had been easy during his first mission to track Ninia down in Thûn, for he hadn’t known her then. She’d just been a faceless target that needed to be eliminated.
Then Ninia had spared his life and that complicated matters.
Elias didn’t think of himself as a man with a conscience—but last night, after the ball, he’d lain awake until the first blush of dawn lightened the eastern sky.
On the journey here, he’d told himself that he’d find a way to survive this mission. Yet he realized now that unless he cornered Ninia alone, that was unlikely. When he struck, he’d have to be ready to fall. And since he’d be killing a woman who’d spared his own life out of kindness, there was a part of him that wondered if that wasn’t for the best.
Did such a man deserve to live?
It had to be done, even if it cost him dearly.
A chill settled in the pit of his belly at the thought.
