Page 40 of While the Dark Remains
Chapter Eight
Year4200, Month of the Violet God
Daeros—Tenebris
“He knows who I am,” I say for the hundredth time.
Vil’s guest suite has a receiving room, and he, Saga, and I have been sitting here for the last half hour, filling Saga in on the events of dinner and discussing strategy in tense voices.
“He doesn’t know,” says Vil, also for the hundredth time, “butgodshe makes my skin crawl.”
I pick at the tray of food Vil sent for me to replace the rich dinner I lost in my room. Everything turns my stomach.
“Aerona’s presence complicates things,” Vil goes on, “as does the uncertain nature of Kallias’s heir.”
“Aerona has essentially been Daeros’s ally in the war with Skaanda,” Saga agrees. “They haven’t sent soldiers, but they’ve kept Daeros’s fed, which is nearly the same thing.”
Vil nods and turns to me. “We need to know the exact nature of the relationship between Aerona and Daeros—what does the empire want? What exactly are they getting in exchange for their shiploads of food? The next time Kallias has a private meeting with the Aeronan envoy—”
“I’ll be watching,” I say.
He smiles. “Good. I also want you to find out everything you can about who Kallias means to name as his heir, as well as keeping tabson the Daerosian nobles. If there is even ahintof disloyalty toward the king in any of them, I want to know about it. Are the nobles all here?”
“There’s a handful still to arrive,” I tell him. “I’ll let you know when they do. Most of them stay in Tenebris for the whole of Gods’ Fall, so that should make things easier.”
Vil gives another nod. “I’ll meet with them all, see which ones might make good allies, like we planned. The terms of our peace treaty should win a few over, and hopefully, when we depose Kallias, they’ll agree to a smooth transition of power.”
“No Daerosian wants a Skaandan king,” says Saga quietly.
Vil quirks a smile at her. “Are you chiding me for my idealism, little sister?”
“Do you really think we’ll be able to seize Daeros uncontested? The nobles want power, like anyone else, as do Kallias’s children. They’re all going to be a problem, and you’re going to have to get your hands dirty before this is all over.”
“Skaanda over self. Gods over glory. Have a little faith, Saga. It’s all going to turn out just as it’s meant to.”
Saga sighs. “I don’t suppose you’re going to givemea job?”
“Get the attendants to gossip—and don’t let Kallias see you. Stay in your and Brynja’s room as much as possible.”
“Don’t know how I’m supposed to listen to gossip if I can’t go anywhere,” Saga grumbles.
“Cheer up, Saga,” I say lightly. “At least you don’t have to look Kallias in the eye while actively restraining yourself from stabbing him in the throat.”
“No stabbing, Brynja,” says Vil. “We have to get ourselves invited to stay here for the whole of Gods’ Fall, remember?”
I make a face at him and try not to think about Kallias’s glittering gaze, sizing me up, seeing right through me.
Vil squeezes my shoulder, his fingers warm through my sleeve. “It’s going to be all right,” he says. “Trust me, Brynja. I’m going to keep you safe.”
I take a breath and tell the turmoil inside me to be still. “I know,” I say. And I even think I believe it.
Back in my and Saga’s room, I don’t miss any time shimmying up the wall and prying off the heating vent. I squeeze in. My body has changed a lot since the last time I did this, but thank all the gods, I still fit.
“Don’t be long,” Saga says. “Be careful.”
“I will,” I promise.
I crawl forward, and my old hidden paths welcome me back with open arms.
