Page 36 of The Sunbound Princess
She nodded, her frown reappearing. “Much stronger.”
The magic was obviously done being patient. Which meant we needed to restart the search for her family heirloom.
“We should—” I began.
The door swung open, and Nikolas swept inside with a serving tray balanced on one palm.
“Breakfast is served,” he announced, the scent of coffee and bacon accompanying his entrance. He caught Bel’s eye as he set the tray on a table near the window. “I didn’t know what you liked so I got everything. Eggs. Scrambled eggs. Poached eggs. Hardboiled eggs. Toast. But mostly eggs.”
“I smell bacon,” I said, my stomach rumbling as I crossed the chamber.
Nikolas plucked one of several strips from the plate. “Don’t worry, big guy. I didn’t forget you.”
Heat flickered through me as I took it from him. “Thanks.”
“Any time.” He pulled a chair out, his brown gaze on Bel. “Eat before it gets cold, my lady.”
She wore a wary look as she drifted to the table. “What’s that?” she asked, pointing to a piece of folded parchment tucked next to the plate.
“Just a news sheet,” Nikolas said, plucking a hardboiled egg from the tray and tossing it to me. I caught it one-handed, then stuffed the bacon into my mouth with the other.
Bel unfolded the parchment and studied it, sunlight from the window putting red highlights in her glossy hair. The tip of one pointed ear poked from the wavy strands.
“The Crown puts it out once a week,” Nikolas continued, stealing a second egg for himself. “I like to make sure Dain and I aren’t in it.”
Bel jerked her head up. “Are you?”
“Not today,” Nikolas said, smiling as he began peeling his egg.
She gave him a disgruntled look, then frowned as he popped a piece of egg into his mouth. “Are you sure the food is safe to eat?”
Nikolas swallowed. “It’s safe. I tasted it before I brought it upstairs.”
“You shouldn’t have done that,” Bel said, concern flashing over her features. A hint of pink touched her cheeks. “What if you were dosed with the potion again?”
Something dark flickered in Nikolas’s eyes. He blinked, and it was gone as he moved to the hearth and picked up the poker. He kept his back to us as he jabbed at the logs. “The brothel doesn’t want its patrons lingering past breakfast. They need to prepare for the evening.”
My chest tightened, and the bacon became a hard lump in my stomach. Most people wouldn’t have heard the careful neutrality in Nikolas’s tone. It only appeared when he spoke of his past—or subjects close to it.
I set my uneaten egg on the plate, my appetite deserting me. Words formed on my tongue, but I swallowed them. Nikolas’s story was his to share.
Bel read the news sheet, her gaze moving down the page. When she flipped it over, the color drained from her face. “That son of a bitch!”
Nikolas moved swiftly to her side, his brow knitting as he read the sheet. “A new king crowned in the Summer Court.” He pointed. “Oh, look, they sketched a likeness. Corvus Orakleides. Decent looking fellow.”
“He’s asnake,” Bel spat, her nostrils flaring. “He stole my—” She stopped abruptly, looking between us as if suddenly remembering her audience.
The hair on my nape lifted, puzzle pieces sliding into place in my mind. The Summer Court had a new king, crowned days after Bel appeared in Andulum. Bel, who searched for afamily heirloomshe was willing to cross the Covenant to find.
Bel, who wore fine clothes and carried herself like a noblewoman. Like royalty.
“You know this Corvus?” I asked, holding her gaze.
She lifted her chin, a serious note entering her voice. “I’m Ezabell Kasreneth, the rightful Queen of the Summer Court.” She bit her lip. “Well, Iwillbe once I find the sunstone.”
Nikolas and I exchanged a look. Neither of us spoke.
Ezabell waited. “I expected more of a reaction.”
