Page 64 of A Crown of Lies

Ieduin followed her, wrapping an arm around her ribs and kissing her shoulder. “Rixxis, that was…” He heaved a heavy breath and kissed her again. “I haven’t been with anyone like that in so damn long.”

“Not Rowan?”

The pillow shifted, and she thought he might be shaking his head. “We fooled around a little, but not like that. I was… I think I was waiting for you.”

She winced and turned her face into the pillow, unwilling to admit the truth, that she’d been waiting for him, too.

Nineteen

“Aryn,whyistherean exorbitant bill for a carriage ride in my hand?” Ruith lowered the bill, peering across the table to where Aryn sat, spinning the point of a dagger against the wooden surface.

Aryn shrugged. “Work.”

“What kind of work requires this kind of expense?”

The other elf just shrugged again. “Take it up with the carriage company. It isn’t my fault their prices are so high. Besides, it isn’t as if you can’t afford it.”

Ruith sighed and dropped the bill, letting it float to the surface of his desk so he could rub his temples. “Brucia is already significantly in debt to Greymark, and I’ve severed my personal finances from the Crows. I’ve spent the entire day trying to separate my personal expenses from those attached to the office of the Primarch. If I have to look at another bill, ledger, or number, I’m going to explode into a flock of crows and fly away.”

Finances had never been his strong suit. Ruith had always trusted that to Ieduin, who seemed to have a knack for bookkeeping. The Crow would never admit it, but he missed The Cock’s hand with his finances.

“I told you to hire an accountant,” Isheda said, taking the bone from Brick.

“You told me to hire Enzo Runecleaver,” Ruith said with irritation.

“He’s young, but he does good work.” Isheda waved the bone, taunting Brick into leaping after it. “You just don’t like him because he’s a Runecleaver.”

“Don’t take offense,” Aryn muttered. “Ruith doesn’t like anyone.”

Ruith scowled. “I do too like people. I just don’t have the patience to deal with groveling, and Enzo Runecleaver wouldgrovel.”

“Give the boy some leeway, Crow,” Isheda advised. “He’s a fan of your work and eager to serve. You should be honored.”

Ruith snorted. “I’m more irritated that your clan is so eager to worm their way into my house, Isheda.”

Isheda feigned offense and put a hand over his chest. “Clan Deepfrost has my allegiance, my Primarch, I assure you.” He pitched the bone back into the courtyard near where Will and Faelyn were playing in the shade of the evergreen.

The hound barked and scrambled after the bone, only to forget about it when he heard Will giggling. The boy had scooped up a handful of brown pine needles and sprinkled them in Faelyn’s hair.

Ruith smiled to himself as he watched the boys playing. The sun was shining, and it was neither too warm nor too cold. Everything—ledgers and finances aside—was perfect. Or would have been if Eris had been with him.

His smile faded, and an ache grew in the center of his chest as he thought of her. Ruith hadn’t wanted to leave. He’d wanted to wait until after the baby was born to journey to D’thallanar to deal with the special election, but events in Greymark had forced his hand. Greymark was now Brucia’s ally, and they would need fresh troops if their independence war dragged on. The Crows could only do so much, and Ruith could not command Taratheil’s forces in Roque without the blessing of the Sagacious Assembly. Whomever he supported as the next Primarch would have to promise him full military support so they could aid Greymark.

Unfortunately, he hated all of his options. Yesterday, at the assembly, only three had stepped forward for consideration.

Elmon Redrock was certainly a front runner. He had the support of the Longclaw, Ivygrass, and Stoneriver clans, giving him the immediate majority. Redrock, however, would never be open to negotiating with Ruith. His firm elf-first platform may have made him popular with the elves, but it would make him difficult for Brucia to work with.

Tiberius Craiggybottom was the unlikely candidate. The Craiggybottoms were a guild clan made up mainly of second-generation freedmen and middle-class merchants. They didn’t have the capital to buy their way into the seat, but they had the backing of the Seashores and possibly the Yeutlands for their progressive stance.

And then there was Niro Wolfheart. He was well liked, agreeable, and as close to an honorable elf as a politician could come. He had a firm enough hand to guide the assembly without being overbearing, and he was clearly the elf Taratheil would’ve chosen for the job, but… Ruith did not trust him.

“Did your contacts ever come through with that information about Niro Wolfheart?” Ruith asked Aryn.

Aryn leveled a long glance at Isheda before looking straight at Ruith. “Not yet.”

“I need that information,” Ruith growled and started stacking the papers just to have something to do.

“And once you have it, what will you do with it?” Aryn started spinning the dagger faster.

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