Page 42 of Court of Vipers (The Lady of Innislee)

Cunning bastard.

“I’m sorry for interjecting,” Auberon said as he followed Drystan through the halls. “I couldn’t stand there and listen to that any longer. If I had been in your place, I don’t know that I would have been able to hold my tongue.”

“Youdidn’thold your tongue,” Drystan replied. “But thank you for trying to put him in his place.”

He nodded, and they walked in silence. Politics had always intrigued him, but this was not politics—this was patronizing. If they had only come for the betrothal, Auberon would have suggested sailing back to Erduria and ruining the king’s game. Unfortunately, they were stuck: Auberon had to learn about the mines, and Drystan desperately wanted the betrothal and peace treaty. It would not be easy to overcome the king’s open hostility, but they would find a way.

King Domhnall’s paranoia had cost them a chance at peace, and every death that occurred on the Tranquil Sea from this day forward would be on his hands.

Auberon would not rest until every person in this kingdom knew it.

When they reached the guest house, he and Drystan went their separate ways. Auberon stepped into his bedroom and closed the door, leaning against it as he unfolded the note the servant had given him. It was crumpled from how tightly he’d been gripping it, but the elegant cursive was still perfectly legible.

Meet me again tonight. Same time and place.

ChapterTwenty-Six

The Lady

Riona crouched behind one of the throne room’s wide stone pillars, peering through the gaps in the railing that surrounded the second-floor gallery. As soon as the Erdurian princes left, Prince Domhnall slumped onto the top step of the dais and rubbed the back of his neck, letting out a long sigh.

“Are you certain this is the best course of action, Father?” he asked. “We cannot afford to antagonize Erduria, especially after Prince Auberon’s poisoning. You did promise Prince Drystan that there would be some concessions during the negotiations.”

“Myconcessionis that I have not tossed him and his insolent brother on a ship bound for their precious empire!” The king’s voice rang through the room, making Riona flinch. “They threateneveryaspect of our kingdom’s future. Unless I hear some undeniable reason to trust them—and to entrust Riona’s safety to them—I will not bend.”

“But the war—”

“We will end it another way.” King Domhnall glanced over at his brother. Riona shifted closer to the railing, peering down to try and catch a glimpse of her father’s expression as her uncle continued, “We have lost too much. I swear it on my son’s grave: this war will not end until the Tranquil Sea runs red with Erdurian blood.”

The icy promise in his voice sent a shiver down Riona’s spine. Her uncle had been fighting to limit the Emperor’s influence since he took the throne, so hearing her king’s resolute words should have filled her with pride. Yet the mental image they evoked—ships burning on the water, bodies bobbing on the waves—was unsettling. Rivosa and Erduria had been trading blows for so long. How many bodies had stacked up between them? How many children like her had lost parents to the fighting?

How many more deaths would occur because of the king’s refusal?

Riona padded silently across the cold stone in bare feet, her heels dangling from one hand as she descended the twisting spiral staircase and stepped into the hall, where she paused and pulled on her shoes. If only she had been able to eavesdrop on the negotiations with Valerian. Auberon’s poisoning gave weight to Drystan’s claim for her hand, but her uncle had made it clear he would rather die than entrust the future of his kingdom to Erduria, even at the cost of continued fighting. The marriage alliance would fall to Eamon or Valerian, and Riona knew her uncle favored the Kostori prince.

If she could help Valerian level the scales, it might delay the king’s decision long enough for her to find Cathal’s killer.

She found the duke and a few of his guards in the garden, speaking with Lord Farquar. The matches now finished, the nobles had left, and the weapons rack had been removed so that the only remaining evidence of the sparring matches was the patch of flattened grass in the center of the garden.

“Please pardon the interruption,” Riona said as she joined them, setting a hand on Valerian’s arm, “but I was hoping I could steal the duke for the afternoon. We haven’t had much time to get to know each other, and I’d like to make it up to him.”

“Of course, my lady,” Farquar said with a dip of his head. He turned to Valerian. “I will share what you have told me with the other lords and ladies of the council. Creator willing, we may be able to aid you.”

“Thank you, my friend. My father will see that you are rewarded handsomely for it.”

“What were you discussing?” Riona asked once the lord had bowed and excused himself.

“The Kostori king’s mistreatment of my people. If we are married, I’ll need the support of your uncle and his council to go to war for my country’s independence. Lord Farquar is sympathetic to my cause, and I was hoping he would speak to the rest of the council on my behalf. Plus, the promise of gold and land always manages to sway even the most reluctant.”

“True, but you need support from more than the nobles. You must earn the hearts of the people.” Riona offered Valerian a sly grin. “Fortunately, I can help. Send for all the guards at your disposal, and have them bring as much money as you’re willing to invest in your bid for our marriage. We’re going to need a few extra sets of hands.”

* * *

A few hours later, Riona and Valerian walked side-by-side through the heart of the city’s poorest district, leading a procession of Kentari guards through the narrow, winding streets. Tall, cramped buildings lined the road, and several children peered out at them with curiosity, their round faces just visible through the cracked and grimy windows. Riona smiled and waved at them. Duke Valerian stood tall at her side, striking in black trousers and shining leather boots, his doublet of violet and gold brocade shining under the sunlight.

Every Kentari guard held a crate in his arms, laden with bread, fruit, vegetables, containers of stew, and more. They had spent most of the afternoon in Innislee’s largest market, strolling in plain view of the townspeople as Valerian purchased crate after crate. He had spoken to the merchants, charmed the young women, and treated the children they’d met to toys from the market stalls. Watching him interact with her people, Riona had been struck with admiration. Genuine delight had shone in his eyes as she led him through the market, introducing him to vendors and artisans she knew.

The cramped buildings gave way to a small square, a dry fountain at its center. A crowd had gathered behind them as they made their procession through the sector, and the people watched with curiosity as Valerian nodded to the guards, who immediately set the crates down around the fountain and began unpacking the contents. He led Riona to the center of the square and surveyed the humans and elves around them.

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