Page 27 of Antiletum

“Spy?”

“I would assume so. If not, that’s the most abysmal assassin I’ve ever seen. Besides, Parliament won’t make a move, not for a while. You’ve pulled this off spectacularly. Public opinion on Parliament would plummet if anything happened to you or Delaney right now. There would be riots. You’re bothdarlingswithinNoctua.”

Ignoring the subtle jab, I offer Alaric a smug grin. He’s right. Other than my personal relationship with my wife, everything has gonepositively swimmingly. “Yes. Wouldn’t want to make any martyrs now, would we?”

“Certainly not, my Lord.”

I’ve heard the whispers about my marriage, my wife, in this short time back in the city. How fortunate that fate brought us together, freeing a young woman from the prison built for her by her own parents. Our union a delightful outcome from all the tragedy that has befallen us.

A sign of hope in a failing faction. A failing world.

My father’s success swaying a former prejudice for necromancy into reverence in only a decade is remarkable. His political scheming was something to be desired. One of many vital lessons I learned from him: Time your truths carefully, and then make them known loudly, publicly, and with the tenderest of intentions. The reveal of Delaney and her necromancy is so similar to how my father brought me and mine into light.

Parliament tried to rewrite the narrative with me. Bringing me into the fold of their misdeeds. A puppet for them to control. I’ve played my part well.

I expect my meeting with Parliament to be much the same as my father’s about me all those years ago—when Llewellyn ven’Sol presented his bastard necromancer son after he ascended to a prominent position. Defending his actions of secrecy in the past as a loving father concerned for his son.

“Go back to the ballroom,” I instruct Alaric. “Keep an extra eye on Delaney.” Pageantry. Nothing but loud, smokescreen pageantry. I had half a mind to refuse the party, but appearances must be kept. They are, just as I told Delaney, important. “And if Roarke gets anywhere near my wife, do me a favor. Fucking kill him.”

Alaric laughs.

I glare at him in the low gas lamp light. “I fail to see what’s funny.”

“You’re serious?”

“Of course I’m serious.”

“Surely you know that I can’t kill a celebrated noble in front of every posh prick inNoctua.”

“Why?”

“Val,” he chides.

Roarke should count himself lucky, that I haven’t killed him yet. Him and his despicable father. That whole family—their existence is unsettling.

But their retribution is coming.

“Then lure him away and do it in private. On second thought, do that anyway. No need to wait for him to provoke me, as we all know he will.” That would certainly be a positive spin on tonight. I despise that man.

“You know you’d rather kill him yourself.” Alaric laughs and retreats back to the party upstairs.

Fair enough. I absolutely would rather shed his blood with my own hand.

The remainder of my clothing is shed, leaving only my underwear. It’s highly doubtful that Delaney will get close enough tonight to smell magic on them. An absolute shame.

A preventative capsule ofantiletumis poppedinto my mouth. I crunch it between my teeth, the taste of ash, earth, and something distinctly astringent exploding across my tongue. Disgust contorts my face as I swallow.

Can’t have Delaney noticing patches of dead skin across my body. There’s no telling where my price would present itself. And waiting until after to apply a balm takes far too long to reverse the magicalnecrosis. The ingestedantiletumwill also eliminate the smell of magic that would emanate from my pores.

Too badantiletumis no longer enough to restore balance within the Ellden clocks.

Eagerness to use my necromancy again flares, as much as I hate to break my oath of magical abstinence, to not use it until Delaney is ready for us to finally do so together—as we are now meant to. Terrible the circumstances behind that bond may be, there’s no one else in this world I would rather be tied to.

Though I will have to go and feed the Heartstone somewhere within my journey to meet Parliament now.

Fuck.

I wonder if it will accept something formerly dead and brought back to life? It’s worth a shot.