Page 67

Chapter forty-seven

Adelyna

“ H igh Maid Callidora, I need to speak with you,” Adelyna said, ignoring the other tittering High Maids.

Nerys’s head perked up from where she had been organizing invitations Adelyna had tossed on a table.

“In my study.” Nerys stood and curtsied and followed the Kor’yitz.

But right before she went inside, Adelyna turned to the others and said, “I have a private dinner with the R?ll tonight—make sure I’m dressed appropriately.

Something red, of course. Oh, and High Maid Callidora will be accompanying me. ”

“She’s only been one of us for a few days,” Maribelle said.

“So?”

Maribelle’s mouth gaped like a fish out of water. “Surely, you want someone more experienced, someone who knows how to conduct themselves in front of the R?ll.”

Oh Maribelle—when did she become so pompous? She used to be the one who helped Adelyna escape the palace, one time making it all the way to the Vaulpri market before getting discovered by irritated city guards.

“I think the R?ll’s opinion in this matter is not my concern,” Adelyna said. “She’s there for me . It will be High Maid Callidora, or no one. That is all.”

The others curtsied and bowed their heads, though Adelyna didn’t miss the curious glances that they exchanged, the ones no one thought they noticed. Her women didn’t need to be jealous for long—if everything went as planned, Nerys would be out of their lives in a matter of days, one way or another.

Nerys and Adelyna went into the study and Adelyna shut the door behind them. “Make sure we aren’t being listened to,” Adelyna said.

Nerys nodded and her eyes turned to the brilliant white stone as she glanced around the room. “Nothing,” she said. “A small sprite, but—never mind, it just left.”

“Good. ”

What else could be in her rooms when she had no one around to look?

She rarely whispered her frustrations when alone, never so much as wrote her true thoughts in a journal in case someone was literally hovering over her shoulders.

The Sight Bearers’ skill always unnerved her, once she realized how many spirits were always present.

Most were harmless. Most couldn’t care less that they occupied the same general area as people.

All had the potential to be disturbing. Or worse.

For a moment Adelyna and Nerys stared at each other.

They had been alone a few times since she learned the truth, but Adelyna couldn’t risk too many private conversations without the other women getting suspicious.

Jealous, ambitious women were trouble. Jealous, ambitious, and curious women were another matter entirely.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Adelyna asked. “If this works, my father will summon you soon. I can make Qiana send you away tonight. You won’t have to risk your life. I’ll provide you with enough funds to start over somewhere far from here.”

“I can’t.” Nerys’s voice cracked, from the unexpected kindness of her offer? “My sister…my whole world is gone. This is the only thing I can do to make it right—and I’m going to do it.”

“Surely, your sister wouldn’t want you to risk your life for vengeance. From what you told me, she cared about you. A lot. She would want you to live.”

Nerys smiled sadly. “Maybe, but you didn’t know her.

She haunted me—only once I decided to come to court and gain revenge has she left me in peace.

208 Besides, how could I live with myself, knowing I could have stopped this, and didn’t?

That I didn’t even try ?” That speech was enough to make Adelyna’s heart sink.

For all of Nerys’s tragedy she was lovely, like a winter flower that died at the first sign of Spring’s sun.

Adelyna pushed those thoughts from her mind—at one time she would’ve leapt at the chance for a night with Nerys, but things had changed now.

It felt wrong to pursue her, to distract her from the most dangerous thing she probably had to do in her life.

And Nerys had lied to her. Lies did not exactly engender passion.

Even though Adelyna understood the reasons.

“Alright. If you’re sure.”

“I am. ”

Adelyna nodded, searching for a hint of waiver on the woman’s face.

What exactly was she looking for? A weakness?

An excuse to keep Nerys away from her task—and safe?

Yet, Adelyna wouldn’t take that step. Nerys had the potential to stop the worst war the Five Kingdoms had seen before it even began.

And Adelyna knew all too well what it was like to have someone try to control her.

If this was what Nerys wanted, then so be it. Whatever the result.

“What do you know about tonight’s dinner?” she asked instead.

“The R?ll will be there.”

“Yes. I’m having a private dinner with the R?ll and Aherin. Well, somewhat private. We each bring an attendant or two.”

“Why are your women so upset?” Nerys glanced at the door. “Surely, they’ve been to these dinners many times. And I can’t imagine it’s that exciting.”

Oh, Nerys really was new to court. Imagine that courtiers wouldn’t want the chance to fawn over the R?ll…

“The dinners aren’t common,” Adelyna explained. “They used to be when we were younger, but that’s changed. As for my women, I’m afraid a lot of their behavior is that they’re taking this as a sign I’m replacing them—with you.”

Nerys snorted and gave the door a disdainful glance. “I’m surprised you haven’t replaced them with pigeons in stays by this point.”

Adelyna’s eyebrow crept up. “I want to discuss that more later. Unless this has to do with the salt in the tea? Or the missing gown?” The other High Maids tried to blame Nerys for both, but Adelyna knew better.

“More like how as soon as you are a High Maid, everyone approaches you for information—and a couple of your women have taken up that offer.” Adelyna groaned inwardly. She wasn’t surprised, though the confirmation was hardly welcome. Everyone was for sale at court.

“I see,” Adelyna said and then took a deep breath and paced a few steps. It was a brilliant morning, too brilliant for what was to come. “No point in avoiding this—we need to discuss the R?ll.”

“How so?”

“My father typically leaves my High Maids alone from his advances—not always, but—”

“You lie with them yourself so it would be disgusting? ”

Adelyna froze. Who would dare speak to her like that? No one ever had. Only a peasant. Adelyna didn’t know whether to slap Nerys or hug her. “I don’t lie with them. Well, all of them. More like the R?ll is aware it would be interfering with my household.”

“Understood.”

“But if I steer the conversation, I can make clear that it would not be…an imposition in this particular case.”

Nerys sighed. “Do what you think is best. It can’t be avoided.”

Adelyna searched Nerys’s face. “You’re not looking forward to this? Lots of women do.”

Nerys grimaced. “Women with stronger stomachs.”

Adelyna bit back a laugh. Though, Adelyna herself wasn’t looking forward to this.

Her father’s death would solve some problems, but then she’d have others.

Aherin would still want the throne—and he’d have his supporters.

The court would want answers after the R?ll’s death.

There was still the war with Cerdoran. And the debacle with Jelia—oh, and Pelia may want to rethink their alliance as well.

No, Adelyna wasn’t so simple as to think Nerys’s regicide would solve all of her problems.

That wasn’t taking her heart into account. They were not close, and sometimes she hated him, but he was still her father…

And what if Nerys failed? Adelyna may be spending tomorrow pleading for her life. She may be forced to start a revolt of her own. She didn’t lack for friends herself—she would fight if necessary.

When Adelyna’s increasingly grim laughter died down, Nerys asked, “And you’re sure that the R?ll will be interested in me? He ignored me quickly after I came to court and hasn’t given me a look since.”

Adelyna smiled. “Leave that to me.”