Page 123 of The Courting of Bristol Keats
“What are you afraid of? That everyone will find out your little secret? Too late for keeping up appearances. We know where the demons come from—and who controls them.”
“You know nothing. And I won’t have you spreading lies about me. Remember who still has your brother.”
“I have no proof that my brother is even alive.”
“You have a king’s word. My word. That’s all you need.”
Tyghan bit back a laugh, even as his fingers curled into a fist. “Your word is worth as much as a—”
“Well, hello, Your Majesty! Welcome!” Melizan crooned as she stepped between them with crystal goblets of golden wine in each hand. “Excuse my brother. Where are your manners, Tyghan?” She held one of the goblets out to Kormick. “A little something to revive you after your long journey?”
Kormick smiled, his full attention raking over Melizan’s dipping neckline, her bosom glistening with golden oil that hadn’t been there just moments ago. The heady scent of bergamot filled the air. “Princess Melizan. Always a delight to see you.”
He took the goblet from her and held it up to the light, judging it for poison. Melizan stepped closer, wrapping her hand over his, and brought his glass to her mouth, taking a generous sip. She licked her lips seductively. “I can assure you, it’s delicious—and safe.”
The distraction gave Tyghan a moment to scan the ballroom again, but the crowd had milled closer, blocking much of his view. Eris stood some distance behind Kormick and showed his open palms, indicating recruits were still missing. Where could they be? Maybe they had spotted Kormick and left on their own?
Melizan tried to coax Kormick to dance with her, but he said he had kings and queens eager to speak with him yet. He kissed her hand. “But I promise to dance with you later.” More revelers stepped up, coached by Eris, to keep Kormick at hand, but his warriors were spreading out, weaving through the throngs.
From behind, a hand caught Tyghan’s arm.
“What is—” The question froze on Bristol’s lips as the view became clear. She stopped short, staring at Kormick. Her eyes creased with confusion as if she wasn’t sure who he was, though his black crown made it obvious.
Kormick opened his arms toward her, expecting an embrace. “Bristol, so good to see you again.”
Her confusion deepened. “Mick?”
“Hmm, yes.” His finger traced the line on his face that traveled from his forehead to his jaw. “A scar like this attracts attention in your world, so I concealed it, but in Fomoria we wear them with honor. But it’s the same me. Though here you must call me Your Majesty.”
Bristol took a step back, her head shaking. “You—” She turned and left, pushing her way through the crowd.
Tyghan watched her leave.She knows the king of Fomoria?“You’ve already met?” he said to Kormick, struggling to keep the strain from his voice.
Kormick laughed. “You thought I wouldn’t investigate Bristol and her sisters, too? I can assure you, you’re wasting your time. All purely mortal. Useless. None of them have their mother’s talent.”
“I’m not investigating anything. She’s only here to find her father.”
“Who we both know is dead. My first order of business in that shabby little town was to confirm it. A nasty encounter with a car, I understand. Such a dangerous world. But surely that news made you as happy as it made me. I know what he did to you.”
“If it made you so happy, why didn’t you kill him as soon as you found Maire?”
Kormick shrugged. “The give and take of life. We all have to strike bargains. His death wasn’t as important to me as Maire’s compliance. I needed her more than I needed to kill off her frivolous affair with your knight.”
Tyghan turned to leave. Kormick deluded himself that he was projecting an image of a just and fair ruler to Elphame—his ego demanded it—but privately, he didn’t bother to maintain any pretense of innocence, and a conversation with him was only going to spiral downward. The restraint the High Witch had ordered was getting harder for Tyghan to come by. But only two steps away, Kormick crowed a few last words at Tyghan’s back, eager to fan the flames he had managed to ignite in just a few minutes. “My brief time in Bowskeep wasn’t a complete loss, though. I understand why you’re using Bristol. She’s a passionate creature, isn’t she? We had some tasty moments together. I hope you’re enjoying my table scraps—”
Light exploded behind Tyghan’s eyes. He spun and swung. His fist sent Kormick flying backward, tumbling across the floor, his crown sailing in one direction, his goblet shattering in another. Partygoers screamed, tripping over robes and gowns in a rush to clear the center of the room. Knights drew swords, and Kormick’s warriors rushed forward, but in a quick magnanimous gesture, Kormick lifted his hand to stop them. He did it swiftly and elegantly, like he had rehearsed the moment, orchestrating every step. He swayed and got to his feet, grabbing his crown and putting it back atop his head. “Go on, everyone. Back to your party. Please. I don’t want trouble. King Trénallis and I simply had a small difference of opinion. Continue on. It’s Beltane Eve, after all.”
Hobs hurried forward to sweep broken crystal and mop the wine. Swords were hesitantly sheathed. Music resumed, a pluck at a time, but most kept their distance, hugging the perimeters of the ballroom. Tyghan still waited for Kormick to retaliate, but he only wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand and staggered forward until he stood almost chest to chest with Tyghan once again.
“Thank you,” he whispered. “I have witnesses now. You’ve just confirmed to a roomful of royals that you’re the king with violent impulses and that I’m the clear choice to rule Elphame. It will make the transition so much smoother. My reign will be welcomed with open arms.” He tugged on his cuffs, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles, before he left to join the party. “And just a bit of advice, Trénallis—no charge. I would send Bristol home sooner rather than later. If Maire finds out that you have her daughter, you can be certain things won’t go well for you.”
A thousand thoughts blazed through Tyghan’s head, not the least of which was how he would make Kormick suffer once he had his brother back, but his expression remained cool, ruinous. “The fact that you haven’t already informed her that Bristol is here tells me it wouldn’t go well for you, either.”
The smugness drained from Kormick’s face. “I guess when it comes down to it,” Tyghan continued, “even you can’t be sure how a monster will react when a bargain she’s made has been compromised.”
CHAPTER 84
Melizan’s fingers dug into Bristol’s upper arm. “Slow down,” she ordered. “Smile. Members of the elite squad do not get flustered—they get even. You’re the one in control. Say it. Believe it.”
