Page 117 of The Crown of the Dark Prince
“Nikolai,” Camilla greeted him, before forcefully clearing her throat. Her voice was firm, but a flicker of unease passed across her face. “We need to talk.”
He gestured broadly to the table with a roguish smile. “Sit down, dear. We’ll talk over drinks.”
Nikolai Legum’s reputation preceded him. Known for illegally trafficking magical goods, relics, and secrets, he was one of Athenia’smost infamous criminals. After murdering his only real competition in the months before I arrived in Athenia, he was now the undisputed king of the criminals, and I had no doubt that he could rally a small army against us if we managed to piss him off.
I didn’t even want to know how Camilla and her grandmother had gotten involved with him.
He refused to speak until servants had brought each of us a drink and offered all of us something to eat. None of us touched a thing. I looked down at the wine in front of me suspiciously, not willing to trust it.
“I typically don’t conduct my business with the wayward granddaughter,” Nikolai pointed out to Camilla, his tone teasing as he studied her.
She pushed her long hair behind her ears, her posture defiant. It was actually quite… refreshing to see her looking so impetuous again after being on the brink of death for the past few days.
“Alina is dead,” she told him.
Nikolai’s lips pursed, a faint smile pulling at their edges. Did this man take anything seriously?
“Well then, I officially do business with the wayward granddaughter,” he announced with playful formality before glancing at Clay and I. “Although I am surprised the royals wanted to be present for this little rendezvous.”
“We’re not here to cause you trouble,” I assured him, though the low growl rumbling from Clay’s chest said otherwise. I reached out, placing a hand on his arm in a silent plea for restraint. Nikolai caught the motion, his sharp eyes lingering, his expression too knowing.
“Then what are you here for, Councilwoman?” He asked, his voice smooth as silk.
I cleared my throat. “I’m looking for something. An artifact. I was hoping you could help.”
His brows rose, and he pulled the glass of wine to his lips, drinking deeply as he appraised me. “If I was the kind of person who could helpwith that, which I’m not admitting I am, I’d be a fool to get into bed with a Council member.”
Clay stiffened next to me, just the mention of Nikolai in bed with me upsetting him. Even if it was just for the sake of a phrase.
“We’re very aware of your dealings Nikolai,” Clay told him, voice hoarse from the fire building in his lungs. “What we need supercedes the Council. Supercedes Athenia.”
Nikolai only glanced at the prince before returning his narrowed eyes to me. “And what kind of artifact might you be looking for?”
My stomach someraulted. “I’m searching for a book.”
He waved off my words with a dismissive hand. “I have dozens of books. Hundreds even. You’ll have to be more specific.”
I glanced at Clay from the corner of my eye. His jaw was tight, tension radiating from his shoulders. “What we’re about to discuss does not leave this table.”
Nikolai’s amused smile faded slightly as he met the prince’s eyes without fear. “You don’t command me, prince. Not here.”
“Nikolai,please,” Camilla said, eager to diffuse the tension. “We have reason to believe that someone is looking for the Book of the Gods. Someone who intends to use it to free Hyrax from the Underworld.”
Nikolai stilled, the playful light dimming in his eyes as he turned to Camilla slowly. His grasp tightened on the glass of wine and, for a moment, I readied my magic, prepared to defend my people if he moved against us.
“You cannot expect me to believe that,” he drawled.
“We do,” I replied evenly, working to appear calm even as my stomach tied itself into knots.
“Why should I?”
“Because Hyrax is my father,” I announced, voice steady as the weight of the truth settled between us. Clay tensed beside me, his disapproval withmy disclosing that information unspoken but palpable. I reached under the table, squeezing his knee in silent reassurance.
Nikolai’s sharp gaze bore into me. There was neither fear nor awe in his expression as he assessed me, even knowing that I was a Goddess. His face just bore calculated interest. “There have been rumors,” he murmured softly. “Of an unnatural power living in the castle.”
Unnatural was a bit harsh.
He leaned back in his chair, pulling the napkin from his lap and tossing it onto the table. “I don’t have the book.”
