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“I’ll pay him a visit soon enough.”
“I don’t think he’ll hold out for long. Doesn’t seem the type. You probably shouldn’t kill him, though.”
“I won’t. Finley asked me not to.”
“Since when has a single request stopped you from killing anybody? Ah, Corvan. Don’t tell me you’ve taken a liking to her.You,the ice-cold bastard who turns down all the legendary beauties in Rahava?”
“She is…” I pause, remembering her bright gaze upon me; her quick, sharp mind. She didn’t recoil in fear when I told her what I was. “She’sinteresting.”
“That’s the first time I’ve ever heard you say that, you know. I was starting to worry about you.”
I can see her face in my mind’s eye; delicate features, almond-shaped eyes, high cheekbones. Framed with lustrous tendrils of dark brown hair. “She must be important, because someone in Lukiria didn’t want for us to meet.”
“You think all that bloodshed around her arrival wasn’t a coincidence? The lycans? The brigands?” Kaithar shakes his head slowly. “That’s a long bow to draw.”
“They tried to intercept a letter carried by a messenger hawk. It was from my father. Written in his hand and addressed to me only. Kyron found it on the body of one of the brigands.”
“Could’ve been a coincidence. Maybe he found it, or maybe they shot the bird down by accident.”
“I have far too many enemies in the palace for such a coincidence to occur.”
“Well, that’s true. But there isn’t much your enemies can do to you here. Andshe’shere now.” Kaithar shovels a forkful of potato into his mouth. The aroma of spices, meat, and rich gravy infused with wine fills my consciousness, but even though the food smells delicious, I’m not interested in eating at all.
Since the change, I’ve tried to eat normal food. The taste is pleasant, but not as good as I remember. And it does nothing for me. I don’t feel satiated at all.
The only thing that seems to truly satisfy my excruciating thirst is her.
She tasted of sweetness and light and the earth itself, and when she yielded to me for the briefest of moments, I felt like I’d transcended life and death.
“Hey,Corvan.”
I blink.
“You all right, there, Van?” Kaithar waves his fork around, looking slightly amused. “I’ve never seen you so distracted.”
“Just thinking.” I don’t tell him that Finley has indeed occupied my thoughts far too often. “Prepare the great hall. Lay down the mats and tell Gerent to arrange a banquet. The tourney will commence as soon as the sun sets. Once all is in place, all house staff are to relieved of their duties for the night so they can join in the festivities.”
“As you wish.” Kaithar gives me a long, appraising look. “The men will appreciate it.”
I shrug. “Consider it my version of the Midwinter Ball.”
“At least yours is entertaining. You know, I’m glad I know at least one noble that doesn’t have his head stuck so far up his ass that he can’t see the bloody sunshine.”
“I probably have my mother to thank for that.” A wistful note enters my voice. If mother were alive…
What would she make of me now?
“Speaking of sunshine,” Kaithar lowers his voice. “I noticed you’re not cloaked up like a Vikurian desert-nomad for once.”
I give him a long, hard look. “Kaith, the sunlight doesn’t affect me anymore. Ever since I drank from her.”
He lets out a low whistle. “I take back what I said about coincidences. Your father, that wily old geezer, definitely chose her on purpose. I’ll wager he knows exactly what she is—and that you wouldn’t be able to resist her. If you really want to know, why don’t you go pay him a visit?”
Anger grips me. “That’s probably what he wants. It’s probably what he’s expecting.”It could be a trap. “I’ll seek my own answers first. I’m going to pay Baron Solisar a visit soon. Notify the guards so they can prepare for my arrival. I’ll question him myself.Alone.”
Kaithar delicately balances a cluster of peas on his fork. “Well, it’s about bloody time. We’re all getting sick and tired of his whinging.”
“If he doesn’t understand why I’ve locked him up by now, then he never will.” Am I so terrible if I’m actually looking forward to putting the fear of the Goddess into him? “Another thing. Finley, her brother Kastel, and his friend are to be invited to tonight’s festivities. If Aderick feels up to it, he can join too, but there’s no pressure from me. Gerent is to arrange for them to be seated at my table.”
