Page 14 of Court of Vipers (The Lady of Innislee)

Comfortable silence descended once more as the carriage continued through Crafford. Auberon watched the townspeople they passed, considering what likely awaited them in Innislee. Over the next several weeks, he would live in Rivosa’s capital and dine with some of the most important people in the country. While Drystan charmed Lady Riona and won over the court, Auberon would be free to speak with the king’s advisors. He would dine with them, ply them with drinks, and gain their trust, as he had so many times with strangers in Torch’s taverns. Before they knew it, they would tell him everything he needed to know about the mines.

ChapterNine

The Lady

“You look as if you’re headed to the gallows, rather than a banquet in your honor,” Amaris murmured as they followed Riona’s father through one of the castle’s corridors. At the end, the doors to the banquet hall stood open, and elegant music drifted from within.

“Really? And here I thought I was hiding it so well.”

Amaris shot her a look and moved closer, whispering, “I know you have your doubts about the suitors, but please, try not to make any enemies tonight. I’ll be the queen of Rivosa one day, and I’d rather not be left to clean up any messes that sharp tongue of yours makes of our politics.”

The teasing words brought a smile to Riona’s lips. “No promises.”

“Well, at least you won’t be the only one drawing blood tonight. How long do you think it’ll take the suitors to begin tearing one another apart?”

“About three minutes.”

“You think so? I’d have said five.”

Riona’s father shot them a warning look, and they fell silent. Riona ran her hands over her gown, steeling herself for the banquet. The dress was made of ivory silk, with a fitted bodice, thin straps that bared her arms, and intricate whorls of gold embroidery that climbed its full skirt. She had commissioned it from the royal tailors years ago, modeling it after a traditional Selannic robe her mother had brought from her homeland. She could still picture her mother sitting at their grand breakfast table, the pale fabric ethereal against her dark features, her eudorite pendant hanging at the hollow of her throat.

You see this necklace, my love?her mother had asked the day she’d left for her ill-fated voyage. She had let the chain dangle from one slender finger, and Riona had stared at it, mesmerized, as it slowly spun. In her eleven years, she had never seen her mother without it.I want you to keep it safe for me while I’m in the Isles. Do you know what they say about eudorite? Do you know why it’s so prized?

When Riona shook her head, her mother had continued,Once eudorite blades are forged, they will retain their form until the end of time. The sharpest blade cannot scratch it. The hardest stone cannot blunt it. Remember that, blood of my blood. That is what you must become if you are to survive in the court.As her mother spoke, she had gently turned Riona around, swept aside her braids, and clasped the necklace. Even now, eight years later, Riona could feel the ghost of her mother’s touch against her skin.Unbending. Unyielding. Remember that, and the vipers in the court will never have power over you.

They passed through the doors to the banquet hall, and the sight before her took her breath away. Her uncle had pulled out all the stops for the arrival of the suitors. The entire hall was steeped in the rich browns, reds, and golds of late autumn. Crimson tablecloths covered the two tables that ran the length of the room, set with gold tableware and adorned with centerpieces of fallen leaves and gold-painted gourds.

Most stunning, however, were the thirty-foot columns that supported the room’s vaulted ceiling. Stone dragons coiled around the columns and blasted plumes of flame at the ceiling, the candlelight reflecting off their onyx eyes and claws. Their scales were painted a shimmering blue-black, their flames rendered with red, orange, and the slightest hint of gold. They looked so realistic, they might have taken off and soared around the hall.

And perhaps cooked a few members of the court while they were at it,Riona thought with a wry smile.

King Domhnall and the rest of the royal family were standing atop the dais at the far end of the room, overseeing the final touches on the night’s preparations. The three younger heirs—Gearald, William, and Namira—were already seated, wriggling with excitement. Standing just behind them, Prince Domhnall II looked resplendent in a crimson doublet and a diadem of gold and rubies. Riona heard Amaris’s breath catch when she saw her betrothed. She ran across the room and bounded up the steps of the dais, laughing as he swept her in a tight embrace. Riona’s smile grew as Amaris pulled back and kissed him.

The king met Riona and her father in the center of the hall, grinning as he spread his arms wide. The return of his eldest son seemed to have vanquished whatever anger he’d held for Riona’s outburst at the council meeting earlier that week. “Well? What do you think of the decorations? They’re lovely, are they not?”

“They’re wonderful,” Riona said, dipping into a curtsy. She hoped he couldn’t hear the hint of acid in her tone. They hadn’t exchanged more than pleasantries since her outburst in the council chamber. For the sake of the court and suitors, she would remain civil tonight. “I’m sure the suitors will be impressed.”

Her father clasped Domhnall’s arm and leaned in close, lowering his voice. “This extravagance is too much, Domhnall. The expense—”

“You are welcome to concern yourself with finances any other day, Lachlan, but not tonight. Save your objections and enjoy the evening. Your daughter is the guest of honor, after all.”

“I… Very well.”

“Good. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to have a word with my niece.”

“Of course.” Lachlan dipped his head in respect, shot Riona a look that warned her to hold her tongue, and started toward the head table. She watched him greet the Crown Prince with a clap on the shoulder, wishing she could join them.

She braced herself for reproach, but when the king turned back to her, he looked amused. “Don’t pay any heed to your father’s worries. He’s been serving this kingdom for so long, he has forgotten what it means to relax.” His expression softened as he took in her ivory gown. “You look beautiful, my dear. The spitting image of your mother, Creator watch over her. She would have been so proud to see you here today.”

Her chest tightened. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

He took her hands in his own. “I know you are wary of entering into another arranged marriage, but rest assured that I will do everything in my power to secure you a good, honest husband.”

And I will do everything in my power to keep you from auctioning me off like a prize mare.“Thank you, Uncle.”

The music swelled as courtiers began filing into the banquet hall. Riona schooled her features into a polite, neutral mask and followed her uncle to the head table, where the seat of honor had been left for her beside the queen. She sank into her chair, and her aunt leaned over to kiss her cheek and croon over her beautiful gown.

When the last courtier was seated, King Domhnall stood and offered a few words of welcome. As he spoke, Riona lifted her chin and squared her shoulders, her stare boring into the banquet hall’s double doors. Any second now, the suitors would make their grand entrance.

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