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MIKAIL

CITY OF RAHWAY, YUSAN

I t takes a surprisingly long time to get an audience with Rune. It’s ten bells at night, and we’re still waiting in his overly ornate study. I glance at the mahogany shelves. He can’t possibly need this many leather-bound books. He certainly hasn’t read them.

Part of the delay was our fault. Aeri insisted on going to the tailor to dress all of us for this audience.

Then we had to wait for Royo to be outfitted because nothing premade fit him.

We killed time in a tavern while the seamstresses worked, all of us thankful for cold ale and a good supper.

But we’ve been at Rune’s villa for almost a bell now.

It took that long to clear the guards at his gate, then his entry hall, and now we’ve been in his study for twenty minutes.

I lean against the bookcase and spin the Water Scepter. This is getting excessive.

Royo paces, wearing down the expensive area rug as Sora and Aeri read on a fainting couch. Coju and water were left out for us on a bar cart. Sora said they’re both clean, but no one is drinking. Not after he poisoned a dog the last time we were here.

Just as I’m about to chance it, the study doors open. Fallador and Gambria stand while I continue to lean on the shelf.

Count Rune strolls in wearing a dressing jacket over pants and a shirt. Rather shockingly, his noble collar is missing.

“Forgive my lateness,” he says. “I had a previous dinner engagement.”

It’s hard to tell if it’s a lie. He takes in all of us as we’re variously posed around his office.

“Your Majesty,” he says, his eyes wide. He bows to Fallador. “I do apologize for the delay. My servants failed to recognize you.”

It’s clear from Rune’s tone that he’s going to order the whipping of someone.

Fallador smiles. “I’m hardly royal, Your Grace.”

I suppress a laugh.

“And you must be Gambria Miat,” Rune says to Gam. He takes her hand and kisses it. “My lady.” Then he looks around. “Where is Prince Euyn?”

“He is in the Kingdom of Hells,” I say. “Your Grace.”

Rune raises his eyebrows. “I’m sorry for that. But that does explain how we have a new king who isn’t Euyn.”

“And who exactly is it?” I ask.

A slight wrinkle mars Rune’s forehead—he’s surprised I don’t already know.

“My old friend, Seok of Gain, now occupies the throne.” Rune can’t help but curl his lip as he spits out the words.

The room falls silent—no heavy footsteps from Royo or page-turning from Sora. It’s who we suspected, but having it confirmed somehow makes it worse. I’m not sure how the southern count accomplished taking Qali, but the throne was empty for some time as Joon conspired with Wei.

Rune eyes me. “I’ll admit, I’m surprised you’re still alive. But that’s always the case.”

I shrug.

The good and the bad news is that Rune is exactly how I remember him. He makes his way over to the coju on the bar cart and selects a bottle. But he stops, looking at Aeri and Royo. His eyes linger on Aeri. “And who are they? Sora, of course, I remember.”

Sora stares at him. “Your Grace.” She stays seated but eventually inclines her head.

He grins as he grips the neck of the bottle.

“That is Joon’s daughter, Naerium, and her strongman, Royo,” I say.

Rune stops with the coju bottle open. “Princess Naerium?” His snakelike yellow eyes shift. “I thought she passed to the Kingdom of Hells years ago.”

“You and me both,” I say.

“The pleasure is mine,” Aeri says. She stares directly into his eyes, still seated on the couch in a short green dress with long sleeves.

Aeri is a far cry from the silly girl I first met in this city, or even the one I thought was steel in a ball gown in Khitan. I like the change. Although, frankly, I think it’s me altering my opinion, not any difference in her.

Rune bows formally and then looks her up and down. “I see the resemblance to your mother, Soo Lin, Your Majesty. I’m now awfully sorry about the wait, as I am your most humble servant.”

“I’m certain that’s true,” she says.

Rune takes her hand and moves to kiss it. The motion causes her lace sleeve to shift, revealing the Golden Ring of Khitan. Rune audibly gasps and backs up a step. The crystal bottle stopper falls from his hand and rolls onto the expensive rug.

“Is that…” He stops and blinks, attempting to gather himself. He fails. I’ve never seen him this thrown. It’s enjoyable.

“There’s much to discuss,” I say.

“I see,” Rune says. “She really is Princess Naerium. How extraordinary.” He doesn’t take his eyes off the Golden Ring.

His stare is as hungry as a prisoner in Idle’s.

“I thought you were trying to pass off a charming fake.” He looks at me.

“Come into the dining hall. I’ll have my kitchens prepare supper for all of us. ”

“And here I thought you were late because you just had dinner,” I say. “We already ate.”

“Dessert and wine, then,” he says with a shrug. “Your Majesties, please follow me at your leisure.”

He inclines his head again.

Gambria and Fallador follow the count, but the others stay back by me. We gather by the walnut wood desk.

“Are you sure this isn’t a trap?” Aeri whispers.

“It certainly feels like one,” Sora adds, looking around.

I spin my walking stick. “It might be, but I’m not worried about it.”

“Yeah, but shouldn’t you be?” Royo asks.

The guards took his axe and Gambria’s crossbow at the door. Those were just a little too conspicuous for a dinner meeting. Royo has nunchuka, but I can tell he’d rather have the comfort of his weapon of choice.

“No,” I say.

“Why not?” he asks.

Sora and Aeri look at me, waiting for my answer.

I smile. “Because the river is at high tide.”