“I think so.”
“Let’s have dinner in the hall tonight.” She held her hand out for me.
“Okay.”
Later, we sat at our place just down from the king. The red-haired female had come. I should have known the king would see that fire-red hair and feel the pull to her as I did. Something about her captivated me. She and her mother had arrived days ago, and while she was given rooms beside the king, he had moved her mother to the opposite end of the castle.
I knew this game he played. The daughter was just the toy to get the mother to play nice. She had magic. She could weave charms into clothing to make his armies stronger. She could tie leather onto the hilts of swords that would make them fatal in one strike. King Autus may have been a brute and a beast, but he was not daft. He would do the same with her mother as he had done with the rest of us. He would force her to choose a place on his council, though there really never was a choice, just constant scrutiny and ire until you agreed. He wouldn’t enchant her because of pride alone. I worried he would push too far this time though. A mother’s love of a child was a different kind of bond.
“What do you think he’s doing with her?” I asked Gaea at the dinner table, nodding toward the female and her mother.
“Nadra?” Gaea asked. “He’s doing what he always does. She is her mother’s weakness. He wants to conquer the mother, so he will use the daughter.”
“Nadra,” I repeated, committing her name to memory.
“You okay, Tem?” Gaea snapped her fingers in front of me.
“Yes, I’m fine. I just hate to see the king use an innocent female, as he did to you.”
“Who says she’s innocent?” Gaea nipped.
I pulled my eyes from that curly red hair and looked to Gaea. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m just not feeling well. I’m going to head back to my room.”
“Let me help.” I reached for her hand.
“No. I’m fine, Temir. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She spirited away before I could protest.
The king had been strange at dinner. He looked around intently as he ate. He and Eadas may as well have been in their own room, as he spoke to no one else through the entire dinner. I certainly didn’t want to have the king’s attention on me, but as he continued to study the dining hall, I began to wonder if Gaea leaving was in her best interest.
I had seen Roe enter the hall several times and make awkward eye contact with me as he served. I’m not sure he had ever served dinner, so by the third time of him entering and exiting the room, I had to call him over to take whatever was on his tray just to show him I understood what he needed. What Rook needed. Roe was the messenger, and Rook needed to see me asap.
I couldn’t leave though. The king was watching, and if I got up and left the table, he would condemn me and Gaea. Whatever Rook needed, it would have to wait.
I pushed my food across my plate and caught myself looking to the head of the table again and again. The king’s odd behavior, Nadra and her mother, Roe’s constant presence. Something was stewing in the Wind Court, and sadly, I was right in the middle of it all.
After what seemed like ages, the court dispersed. I waited until a few people were gone and then stood to leave myself.
“Temir,” the king boomed. “Come see me.”
I drew in a sharp breath and bowed slightly as I did what he commanded.
“It is a fine night, is it not?” His eyes bore into me.
“Yes,” I answered blandly.
“Where did my Gaea go?”
“She was feeling tired and thought to rest. Shall I get her for you?”
“No, no. I’ve got my eye on other sport tonight.” He smiled viciously at Nadra.
I refused to turn my head. I did not want to see her long for him.
“I don’t believe you’ve met her yet, though you’ve met her mother, Megere in the Marsh Court. This is my darling Nadra.”
I tried to hold back my groan as I gave her a quick, short nod before turning back to the king.
