Page 108 of The Last Syphon

Even Fraener’s strong presence offered her no comfort.

It wasn’t only her life at risk. It was Felix. Na-Ri. Anyone she had befriended since arriving. No one would believe they were not aware of her secret, and they would all be punished regardless.

The idea to leave had entered her mind more than once. Could she do it? Could she just disappear into the night, never to return?

She could, but where would she go? Once Inara was made a public enemy of Arelia, there would be nowhere she could run that would be safe. Nowhere that would harbour her.

A voice in her head whispered she could go south, to the Dead Kingdom. That no one would find her there.

Inara shut the thoughts down as she scanned the room once more. She had to get her wits about her. Focus. As Felix had said after she’d told him what she’d discovered, there was nothing that could be done about it and stressing and worrying about it would do more harm than good. She had to act normal, like there wasn’t anything wrong. Just because the prince had the book didn’t mean he was suspicious of Inara. He could merely have been doing research.

Tydus, Prince Walder’s Guardian, marched beside him, the size of an ox. Strong. Powerful. His footsteps thudded with every step. Everyone moved out of his path, giving them a wide berth. Their mere presence demanded it.

Fraener was at her side, too, the same size, staring menacingly at all the passersbys. Inara kept her back straight, head held high, as if she had a right to be there. Like she belonged amongst that crowd as they moved through the sea of people towards the thrones sitting upon the dais at the back of the room.

Prince Walder was stopped every few feet or so by someone wishing to offer their commendations.

“Such a lovely affair, Prince Walder.”

“Wonderful nourishments.”

“How is your father, the king?”

It was all the same pleasantries, and Inara quickly came to notice how expertly the prince was able to answer the questions he wanted to answer and ignore the ones he did not. Because she was only a step behind him at all times, she was able to see the tenseness in his shoulders anytime someone asked a question relating to his father, but he was able to avoid it with ease, almost as if he’d had years and years of practice.

Inara couldn’t help but be curious about it. It was in her nature as a thief, after all. She hadn’t seen the king since arriving in Arelia. In fact, hardly anyone spoke of him at all, almost as if they were avoiding the subject—him—altogether.

Like she said, fucking curious.

While Prince Walder spoke, Inara listened, studying all the other royals and filing any and all information away in case she ever needed it in the future for whatever reason.

There was Lord Howling of Pregon. He was wearing exquisite aristocratic robes of a special kind of material that seemed to ebb and flow like water with each movement. He was nice, from what little, brief interactions Inara had seen from him. Polite. Cordial. But there was something about him that sent her internal radar blaring.

He had two Vassals with him—people of lower status who were there to purely serve him and cater to his every need—as well as two personal guards. One was a Shielder, like her. She could almost sense it. And the other, she had no idea, but thanks to her syphon sight, Inara was able to tell that she was powerful.

Then there was his Guardian.

Inara couldn’t help but stare. It was the size of a normal snake, but of course, it was anything but. It was wrapped around Lord Howling’s arm, all the way from his wrist to his elbow, and it was thick, bulky. Its scales were a beautiful, vibrant grey. She couldn’t see its head, and in part, she was glad, especially knowing what would become of her if she were to accidentally look it in the eyes.

Lady Armanie of Roylan was a tough woman. Well-built. Strong, like the high mountains that surrounded her kingdom. Her robe was made of deep, earthy tones, shades of brown and grey. Diamonds hung from her neck, as well as a set of matching earrings in her ears. There was only one Vassal in her company, a big, huge, stocky man who made the prince look like a youthen compared to him. He had a bald head, and there was a silk sash wrapped around his forehead, tied off at the back.

He didn’t speak a word.

There were more…so many more…and Inara filed all of them away in a special place in her mind so she wouldn’t forget them. Just before they reached the dais, they were stopped once again, and Prince Walder locked into a conversation that Inara had zero interest in, so she let her eyes wander her surroundings once more.

Felix floated in and out amongst the crowd, fluid like water. His smile was infectious. Easy. Welcoming. He shook hands, and Inara saw his slight of hand, the way his fingers ran over wrists, fingers, the jewellery that was once sitting on skin suddenly in his pockets. He tucked locks of hair behind ears, and no doubt whispered sweet nothings to them as he pocketed their earrings. There was no stopping him, even if Inara tried, which she didn’t.

He’d been doing it for so long, and she knew that while he had the overwhelming desire to steal, he would not do it if he was not 100 percent confident he could get away with it.

Inara also saw all the usual suspects. The High Council members. Lady Niya, Lord Odami, Lord Julius. Lord Villani and Lady Ophera were the only ones sitting on their thrones, not conversing with anyone but themselves. At their backs stood their Shielders—a man whose name she did not know, behind Lady Ophera, and—ugh—Larissa behind Lord Villani.

Inara also glimpsed Na-Ri, trailing behind her Charge, looking none too happy. Inara waved, smiling, and the woman smiled back, returning her gesture.

Fraener brushed up against her side, and Inara ran a hand over his head as she continued to survey her surroundings. Discontent rolled through the soul-link, and she looked at him.

“What’s wrong?” She hummed, scratching her nails into his hard, scaly skin.

He didn’t answer her with words, but with feelings. The sensation of being cornered, cramped, vibrated in her chest.