Page 153 of City of Snakes
Between us, Fenris and his Star-wielder sat with their chairs bumped together, arm-in-arm.
The healer from Luz, Wyeth, sat opposite them beside a tall brunette wearing dusty war leathers—Cassidee, I presumed from Sybilla’s descriptions of her new Constable. The two of them were teaching a mop-headed boy with a missing fronttooth how to move water from one glass to another with his Source power.
It was the boy Sybilla had found before the festival, the one who’d nearly gotten her killed on her first night in Sahlmsara. The same boy who could very well be the only hope to solve my realm’s endless droughts. I suddenly wished we’d included more context in our invitation because this was no conversation for a child’s ears.
Before sitting, I crossed the room to where Sybilla sat. I bent and placed a lingering kiss on her brow. She couldn’t hide her expression of surprise as I lowered my lips to the space just below her ear and said, “Be angry as long as you’d like. You know what it does for me.”
The icy smile she offered as I righted myself made me smirk. “Oh, I will,” she answered through clenched teeth.
“Where is Elsedora?” I asked her quietly.
Sybilla tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. “Likely helping Ryn dress himself,” she said with a knowing glare. “You brokefourof his ribs…”
“It could have been more,” I drawled under my breath as I crossed the room to my seat.
Asterie sat to my left, a black robe slung over her chair, and she fanned herself with a handkerchief. Fen’s signature patched green cloak had been discarded on his chair as well, and the sleeves were rolled up on his cream tunic.
I leaned over to address Asterie quietly. “Sybilla’s dosage of tonics isn’t enough—has Healer Mortag returned?”
Fen’s eyebrows rose as Asterie turned her head to me and said, “No, but he finally wrote Wyeth that he is on his way to Luz. I’ll send him here right away when he arrives. She didn’t tell me she was struggling.”
Twisting a cloth napkin in my hands before placing it in my lap, I hummed an acknowledgment. Since Sybilla had toldme she was tripling her doses, it had grated on me. “She’s been under a lot of stress,” I answered, hating that I was a contributing factor to that stress.
For the first time, the former High Enchantress’ gaze softened when she beheld me.
If only I could get a very stubborn Queen to stop staring daggers at me now.
Chapter 48
Sybilla
“Care to share what you two are whispering about?” My eyes narrowed on Krait, who had leaned over and been speaking to Asterie.
Krait’s brows rose. “I will tell you later in bed,” he said without an ounce of sarcasm.
Fenris appeared entertained. Even Wyeth, who was usually reserved, stifled a laugh. I pursed my lips, biting back a retort. It was not the time to show any division.
I hadn’t told him about Firose’s accusation against Ryn so that he would go and beat his friend to a pulp. Yet his reaction told me that the enchantress had not lied.
Fighting my growing sympathy, I tapped my foot beneath the table. Elsedora would be here any minute with the map.
“How are your studies progressing, Hurley?” I asked the young warlock, trying to distract myself and the others from whatever tension was strung between me and the infuriating man at the other side of the table.
Young Hurley’s cheeks reddened at the attention. “Good,” he croaked out.
Fenris chimed in. “He’s a natural. He’ll be shaping rivers in no time.”
“Resourceful.”Krait’s thought caressed my mind. I chanced a glance at him.“I’m working on a new list.”
I hadn’t been trying to hear his thoughts, but it seemed my mind was open to compliments.
It felt oddly good to have found those tally marks against my character.
I’d been a fool to grow too intimate with him.
I should not trust him with my heart.
Krait had the right intentions for our realms, for defeating Caym—that I could trust.
