Page 26 of Winds of Darkness
“Semantics.”
“I am having some … disagreements with the Earth Court regarding Artist fees. I want you to help me with negotiations. Use these skills of yours to help me figure out my best angles.”
Cyrus’s eyes narrowed. “Then what?”
Sorin sat back, raking the cards in and shuffling them. “If we work well together and get along like I suspect we will, I want you to be my Second.”
Cyrus went completely still. “Come again?”
“I know it sounds out of the blue to you, but like I said, Rayner has been watching you for the last few years. He has been reporting back everything he has learned about you. There is a weakness in my Court, and I think you can help fix that.”
“Why not make him your Second?”
Sorin glanced at Rayner, and the Ash Rider shrugged.
“Because he is my Third. He is also my personal spy and is often gone for long periods of time. I need my Second to be more accessible.”
“You hardly know me,” Cyrus said.
“Hence the trial run with the Earth Court, but I think I know enough from what Rayner has gathered. I trust his opinions,” Sorin said, dealing the cards once more. “I already have rooms prepared for you if you accept.”
“Live here?” Cyrus asked, picking up his cards.
“Rayner has another residence in the city, but he mostly stays here. You are free to do whatever you like, but you will always have rooms available here as well.”
The male just stared back at Sorin as if the idea of a place to call his own was foreign to him.
“So let me get this straight: I help you negotiate with the earth prick, and if you get all warm and gooey inside over how well we work together, you want me to be your Second-in-Command. What’s the catch?”
Sorin tossed some coin onto the table. “I have my eye on a new general for my forces. She is kind of difficult to get along with. You would have to deal with her.”
Cyrus scoffed. “A female? That’s the catch?”
Sorin and Rayner exchanged a look. Cyrus had no idea what exactly thisfemalecould do to him. Rayner was a rare Ash Rider and even he avoided Eliza when she was in a foul mood.
“Fuck it,” Cyrus finally said when he won the next round of cards again. “I’m in.”
“Why?” Sorin asked curiously.
“Like you said,” he answered, knocking back the rest of his drink with a smirk. “I’m excellent at reading people.”
Sorin chuckled, glancing at Rayner again. “You in?”
Rayner nodded, grabbing the liquor bottle and bringing it to the table, sliding it over to Cyrus as Sorin dealt him in. He kept his eye on Cyrus while they played. It wasn’t his official role anymore, but it was ingrained in him at this point to constantly be guarding his sovereign’s back.
Only now that sovereign was more friend-turned-family than prince he served out of any sort of obligation. He’d sworn allegiance to him a year ago, the Mark on his chest proof of that vow. It had been hard to get used to, learning that he could depend on someone else. Trusting after doing so much on his own for so long.
He’d brought Aravis’s body back with him that day six years ago. Sorin had performed her Farewell Rites himself. He’d been there waiting for her, just as Rayner had asked him to be in case he did not survive Moranna. Sorin and the Water Prince had stepped in, taking control of everything the moment Sorin had seen him step off the ship carrying Aravis’s body wrapped tightly in his cloak. He’d been nothing, going through the motions to get innocent people somewhere safe. He’d never been more grateful to not be alone. To have someone there to take over when he had nothing left to give.
“Since you two assholes apparently know my life story, what’s yours?” Cyrus asked, dealing the next hand.
Sorin paused, his glass halfway to his lips, shooting a glance at Rayner. He knew the prince would intervene if Rayner wanted him to, but Rayner just sent the thief a dark grin. “Do you know what a dreamer’s lie is?” he asked, picking up his cards.
“Do tell,” Cyrus murmured.
“That all nightmares have an end. Some never do. I didn’tknow if mine ever would,” Rayner replied, tossing coin onto the table to place his bet.
“And now?” Cyrus asked, refilling his drink.