Page 123 of Games of Death and Desire

“No. But if I’m going to live up to that nickname… we should tone down the physical closeness, at least. For now.” I don’t even know how much longer she’ll end up staying with me. “She feels like she has to pull away every time we get at all intimate, and it sounds like she’s stuck in this vague dark space when she does that…”

Alek twines his fingers with mine. “You know you haven’t done anything wrong, don’t you? None of us were involved with Julita that way.”

He glances at Casimir, who inclines his head in confirmation. “She never engaged my ‘services’ as a client or as a friend. Occasional flirtation isn’t any kind of claim, even if she were still alive.”

“I know.” I swallow thickly. “But she’s the first real friend I’ve had. She’s helped me through so many of the things I’ve faced here. And I wouldn’t have met you at all if she hadn’t trusted me with her mission. I don’t want to make her last days here, however few they might be, totally miserable.”

From the way she talked during the last trial, she’s started to feel as if even I don’t really want or need her around.

Casimir offers me a tender smile. “And that’s why you do deserve the nickname. We can hold off on the physical displays of affection for the time being. As long as you know it’s not for lack of interest.” A sly glint enters his eyes.

I laugh. “If I start to doubt that, I’ll give you the opportunity to remind me.”

Alek still looks pensive. “I know this would be a difficult situation to bring up with her, but at some point you’ll need to talk about—”

A flash of light blazes from the mirror in the corner, and his mouth snaps shut. I get to my feet, my pulse thumping faster.

The light must have been some kind of alert that the mirror’s magical purpose was activated. It fades away to reveal an image of the king, standing in what looks to be the same room as when we spoke to him right after the attack on the city.

King Konram studies me for a moment in silence. My skin crawls under his scrutiny, but I hold my posture straight and clasp my hands in front of me to stop them from fidgeting.

“Ster. Stavros has informed me of your continuing work infiltrating the scourge sorcerer group,” he says abruptly. “From what he describes, they’ve shown a particular animosity toward me.”

I give a slight bow. “I’d say that’s accurate, Your Highness.”

“I’d like you to give me your full account of the recent ceremony that included my likeness. Leave out no details.”

“Yes, of course.”

I drag in a breath and go through the story again, pausing here and there to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything. When I get to the most violent aspects of last night’s events, my lungs constrict, but King Konram doesn’t do anything more than frown.

The most reaction I get is when I mention my attempts to uncover his eldest son’s fate. His stance stiffens slightly.

He makes a gesture to stop me. “You shouldn’t pursue that line of questioning any further. I’ve confirmed that scourge sorcery had nothing to do with Dunstam’s death.”

How did he manage to confirm anything about a death several years ago?

But it’s hardly my place to debate with the king. I continue on to the end of my account.

“They continue to conceal and obscure everything they can,” Konram says when I’m finished. “You still haven’t heard any specific plans they intend to carry out?”

I shake my head. “I’m sorry, Your Highness. I’m not considered a real part of their ‘order’ yet—I suppose they don’t trust me enough. But now that they’re meeting in larger groups, there’ll be more chances for me to identify people. Or, if soldiers could reach us after I send a signal, to take several into custody to interrogate.”

The king gives a pensive hum. “From what you’ve said, they’ve become very skilled at evading discovery. Given the magic they can wield, I’m not sure any of my people could slip past their sentries unnoticed in order to apprehend the others—especially a large enough squadron to be sure of overpowering them.”

My stomach sinks. And what magic might the scourge sorcerers have ready to throw at those soldiers if they did make it close enough to attack?

“I’ll try to learn more about their defenses as well,” I promise.

“Well, perhaps it’s better this way. Even if we could apprehend them, they’re far more likely to open up to a supposed ally than an officer of the law, don’t you think?”

“That’s why we took this course to begin with.”

“Then I think we should continue it. We can’t even be sure yet how far the conspiracy reaches. I have plenty of guards to see to my immediate protection.” King Konram peers at me more closely. “Do you feelyou’rein any significant danger if you stay the course?”

I hesitate, startled by the question.

The king goes on before I need to speak. “My loyal general appears to be rather concerned about your well-being. Do you have any concerns about pushing onward with your mission?”

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