Page 127 of A Monarch's Fall

The gardener began to slow clap.

I growled in impatience.

“You are asking for death,” I warned.

“At this point, such a threat from you feels empty,” Valen replied as he stepped out onto the pathway and fully into my view.

I held myself back from attacking. This was not the location for any kind of physical altercation. The surrounding flora was far more dangerous than my apparently still alive weaselling cousin.

“You’re alive, how?” I asked.

“Not pleased to see me?” he asked.

“I thought you were dead, but it seems Arvid has a lot to answer for,” I replied.

“That he does,” Valen agreed.

He was dishevelled, his clothing ill-fitting, his hair untamed. He was always so fastidious when it came to his appearance. Every strand of hair in place, clothing immaculate. Now he was simply a mess.

“You look terrible,” I commented.

“I feel amazing, all things considered,” he said.

“How are you alive, and how are you standing in my greenhouse on castle grounds?” I asked.

“This was once my home too; I know how to move around this castle as unseen as you do,” he answered.

“Why are you not rotting in a ditch in Halvorsen?” I asked.

“I’m useful,” he said cryptically.

“You’re here on Arvid’s bidding?” I said.

“He wishes.” Valen laughed.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. What nefarious purpose could he have to risk his life by showing up here?

“I want to make a deal with you, cousin,” he told me.

“No,” I answered.

“You don’t even know what I’m offering,” he said and pouted.

“There is nothing you can offer me that I want,” I told him.

“Maybe, but there are things that you need. That we both need,” he said. He smiled knowingly, “Do you want to hear me out?” he asked.

“Speak, before I lose my patience,” I ordered.

“I was expecting a thank you for being the reason your pet made it safely home to you, but I’m told Uncle Nyx took that honour for himself,” he said.

“What are you talking about?” I asked him, but I felt like the floor had been pulled from beneath me, and the hair on the back of my neck stood up.

“She never told you either, makes sense, I wonder what he has on her?” he mused.

“What of Percy?” I demanded, ignoring his mocking tone.

“As part of my release obligations, Arvid insisted that I ensure Percy and her soon-to-be dead friend made it safely out of The New Foundation territory and to House Maria. I chauffeured and ferried both ladies safely out of House Halvorsen and across the Oskar River. Without my help, your girl would still be marching around The New Foundation as the heir to Flores,” he said.