A Fate of Wrath & Flame (Fate & Flame 1)

She toys with a lock of hair. “You mean, like the captain of the Silver Mage?”

“Are you saying the captain is here tonight?” Zander asks.

She pauses, licking her lips. I sense a slight hesitation. “The Goat’s Knoll is known for its prudence. I’m sure you can appreciate why Kaders would not welcome questions about his cargo, even if he knows it’s the king who’s asking.”

“I do not care who he has been smuggling out. I want to know who he has brought in.”

“Still, what you’re requesting has a steep price.”

“And how many gold pieces is required to pay that price?” Zander asks calmly, reaching for the leather satchel tied to his hip. He expected this.

“Kaders is of both Seacadorian and Skatranan blood. He’s an especially grim sod, but he can be bought with sufficient gold. My fee requires something else.”

“And what is that?”

Her eyes flip to me, and her stare is nothing short of predatory. “I’ve never had the pleasure of tasting a Ybarisan, and she smells delectable.”

My stomach drops.

“No,” Zander growls, his hand clenching the bag of coin that now rests between his thighs.

Her jaw sets with determination. “Then I don’t know that I can help you.”

“You are refusing your king?”

“I was under the impression that you were another commoner tonight.”

He pauses to study her. “If this captain provides pertinent information, I can arrange for prime seating at the royal repast, and you’ll get your taste of Ybarisan blood there.”

Delight dances in her eyes. “Not royalty, but I suppose it will do. Give me a moment.” She slips out between the part in the curtain.

“Do you trust her?”

“Completely, and not at all.” He tracks her swaying hips through the small slit. “Bexley is one of the most connected people in all Cirilea and a friend of Atticus’s who has proven herself valuable time and again. She is an ear to the ground—and to the underground.”

“But …” I’m sure I already know where this is going. There’s a man like Bexley back home. They call him Mule. He’s a little league player with big league aspirations and an impressive network of ears and eyes. When Korsakov wanted information he couldn’t readily find, he’d track down Mule. The intel was always reliable, but he knew Mule was also giving it to anyone else willing to pay.

“Bexley knowing what is important to me means that, for the right price, my enemies might also know.”

“And knowledge is power.”

“Whether you sit upon a throne or you are trying to steal it. But hopefully she shows prudence, given who I am.”

I can understand his hesitation. “So the royal repast is officially happening?”

“Yes. There is already talk of it through the city. Immortals everywhere are salivating at the opportunity. But we’re down to three prisoners now.”

“Three?”

“One died today, and Tyree is too valuable to execute, so I will keep him in the tower.”

“Someone died during questioning?”

“With the help of Abarrane’s blade across his jugular, yes.”

I cringe. “Why did she do that?”

“I needed a way out of that little lie you and Annika stirred up with Saoirse. The source of the accusation can’t be questioned by the court if he’s not breathing.”