Page 31 of Frost Bound

They crossed the immense elaborate throne room and paused far enough back that the human monarchs weren’t leering over them. He scanned the room. The princess was nowhere to be seen.

Curious.

“Welcome, King Neve,” Queen Allium said, her gaze sweeping over them. “We didn’t know you would be attending.”

Olwen, Flyka, and Neve all dipped their chins in respect while Eyri stood tall, pretending to bereillov. It gave Neve an extra layer of protection, but also time to study the humans. It was a blessing he and his cousin looked so much alike—apart from the spectacles.

His cousin arched a brow and gestured a hand toward their prisoner. “Is it?”

“Yes. Somehow, you’re both early and late,” the queen stated sharply. “Impressive to say the least.”

“I aim to please,” Eyri replied. “But it seems I do have some unpleasant business we need to attend to.”

Neve tossed the gagged, tied-up man to the floor and crossed his arms. The assassin groaned but otherwise stayed silent.

King Randa cocked his head. “What is this?”

“A gift,” Eyri replied, his tone hard and haughty—everything they expected of a king. “It seems you might have lost one of your men.”

Neve studied the king, who showed no indication of knowing the man.Interesting. His attention moved to the queen, who had a faint smile upon her lips. Amusement at their theatrics? Or something else?

“I’ve never seen that man before. Just what are you implying?” the king asked, his tone dangerous.

“Nothing,” Eyri replied with a smile. “Just that one of your humans attacked my men and I don’t appreciate it. Especially when we’ve come here in good faith, as you requested.”

“How dreadful and shocking,” the queen said, her tone dripping with false concern. “I’m surprised your men didn’t slay the brigand.”

“It was not our place to take that which is not ours,” Eyri replied. “I would not anger my new … ally.”

Allium’s smile thinned. She didn’t like being reminded that they were all bound now. “How thoughtful. I am horrified by thisturn of events. We give you his life as recompense, as is your custom, I believe.”

So the queen had done her research on their laws.

“Let it be done.” Eyri waved Neve forward.

It was quick. Neve never liked to linger and extend death. The assassin never even cried out.

He wiped his bloody knife on his trousers, like the barbarians the humans expected them to be, and stepped back into the protective circle. He stowed his knife and noted how closely the queen was watching him. Her perusal made his skin itch. Like she was seeking a weakness.

She wouldn’t find one. Even if he internally cringed at the red blood now staining his breeches.

Their man bled out onto the floor, and yet the king and queen didn’t flinch. They were used to violence, then. Maybe even delighted in it.

That was an unsettling thought. But not surprising for thesaloes.

“Shall we move on to our next line of business?” the queen asked.

“My thoughts exactly,” King Randa cut in, sitting back in his puny throne like a spoiled princeling. “All our treaty requirements have been met but one.”

Eyri nodded to Flyka, who strode forward with a frosted glass box in her hands. She handed it to the dandy-looking human at the base of the dais who stank of nervousness. He opened the box, checked the goods, and nodded once to the king.

They’d requested three vials of the black weepinglystermdye, Loriia’s most expensive export. The flowering trees from which the dye was derived only grew in Loriia’s harsh northern lands.

“Now where is the woman?” Eyri asked, adjusting his spectacles. “I want to see the princess.”

The king and queen exchanged a glance.

“Come meet our friends, daughter,” the king called.

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