“You’re back,” she says, her words sickly sweet. “Where are you headed?”
“Yes, King Melic summoned me.” She bats her eyelashes at me when I give her a once-over before continuing. “Why do you care? Come to spy for my brother?”
“Maybe I’m just naturally nosey.”
I can smell a lie a mile away on people like her. Always so calculated, this one. But our walk together is rather short, and when she sees that I am indeed headed right to the laboratory, she gives me a flirty wave and disappears. I can only imagine that she’s got some idea that she can worm her way into my good graces just in case things with Basilus fall through.
Hmm, I’m not sure how I feel about that. Shouldn’t I have been first choice anyway? Not that I would have humored the woman.
Walking into the laboratory, I’m confronted with the sterile scent of cleaner. Basilus leans into his fist, tapping a pencil against a notepad, but he sits up the moment he sees me enter. Our father tips liquid from one bottle to the next without so much as giving me a nod or a smile.
So seeing as greetings are unnecessary any longer, I jump right into what I’ve been brought here to say. Or rather, to report.
“I have secured the alliance with the Court of Winds. Prince Dalziel will be here in a month’s time to retrieve Violence, accept the dowry, and sign official documents. He’s readying their troops to march against the Court of Light.”
Glass cracks within my father’s clutch. Blood oozes from his palm, and black liquid puddles on the table beneath him. His violent gaze pulls up to me. “A month?”
Basilus snickers behind us. “Uh-oh.”
“He will be here in one month. That is exactly what I said.” I try my best to give him the same stern expression I’ve received countless times.
“And what if I’m not done with her in a month? Hmm?”
I have to shift my gaze away as he plucks glass out of his hand before wiping his palm clean on a nearby cloth. Taking a chance, I look back to my brother as if he might be some sort of help in this. Per usual, he is not. Even though it was his idea to hurry along the arrangement, he stands there with a shit-eating grin as if helping me piss off the king had been his intention all along.
“Unfortunately, time seems to be of the essence. I have every faith in you, Father. I’m sure that whatever you seek to complete will be done in a timely manner. By now, you’ve been told of the assassination attempt.” I don’t turn to look at Basilus, even though I really fucking want to see the look on his face.
“Assassination attempt?” The king quirks a brow, and somehow, I finally have his full attention. “On whom?”
“Myself, Casimir.” I remember the lie that has to be spread and add, “Aeton was also injured when he caught the third one sneaking through the castle and murdered him. Who knows, perhaps he was looking for Basilus. Lucky for him, he was safely hidden away... here.”
“And you think this was set up by the Court of Light?” Even the king can’t help but let his gaze linger on my younger brother.
“Who else might it be?”
“A very good question.” The shallow cuts on his palm have healed, and he examines them for a moment. Then he waves Basilus over as if he is nothing but a lowly servant. “Clean this up.”
And like the good little ass-kisser he is, Basilus moves without question.
“It’s rushed, but I may be able to complete what is necessary. There is something I would like to talk to you about, though. The reason I’ve brought you here actually.” He straightens the jacket with gilded buttons that hangs to his thighs. “Come walk with me.”
I bet Basilus is bursting with irritation that he hasn’t been invited along. Is he going to finally tell me what this Book of Severed Souls has taught him? My steps are eager as I stay at his side, waiting for him to break his silence as we begin through the shining metal halls.
“I have worked very hard these last few years of my life, and it took its toll on me.” With his one good hand, he cups the blunt end of his other arm. “It wasn’t until recently that I’ve been able to start reaping the rewards.” The king strokes at his scraggly salt-and-pepper beard, and beady, shadow-filled eyes bounce everywhere but to me. “In my efforts, it seems as if I have failed at a few relationships.”
The bubble of excitement that had grown within me instantly pops and is replaced by worry. My father is not a sentimental man. There is no part of me that thinks this will turn into some sort of heartfelt moment. Not even a small part.
I clasp my hands behind my back. Keeping my attention forward, I listen with a tightly clenched jaw.
“One day, you will see what I have spared you from. You’ll see how I have helped each of my children fulfill the roles that are needed for this world.”
“For this world? Or for our court?” I ask.
“Our court is our world.” He stops, and I take only a single stride before I turn back to face him. The light above us flickers as the atmosphere swells with a stinging acidity that sets my throat on fire with every breath. It singes my skin, and I fight against the gasp of pain that threatens me.
“Father?” I rasp.
“Merrick.” His boots meet mine. With his one hand, he pretends to pick lint from my shirt and straighten my collar. His eyes are distant and weary as he stalls, and my body starts to quake.
