Page 39 of Kingdom of Feathers

“You called our conflict a mess, King Basil,” said King Lloyd, his tone less aggressive than it had been when he entered the room. “I’m glad to hear we agree on something.”

“I hope we’ll find we agree on many things,” said King Basil evenly. “Although I suspect we’ll need to agree to disagree on others if we’re to negotiate peace.”

“Peace?” King Lloyd laid one hand along the table, considering his counterpart through narrowed eyes. “Is that your wish? An end to the hostilities entirely?”

“Of course,” said the young king, with a hint of impatience. “Surely that’s what we all wish for. This war is a waste of life and resources, and I don’t see how we can in good conscience allow it to continue.”

One of his companions shifted slightly, and he paused as he glanced at the man. Seeming to realize he was speaking too freely for the opening exchange of a negotiation, King Basil drew a deep breath.

Taking advantage of the silence, the Mistran general spoke. “If you wish to sue for peace, Your Majesty, I have with me the true borders, as set in place by our ancestors over a century ago.” He started to pull out a map, but stayed his hand at a swiftly disapproving look from King Lloyd.

Wren wasn’t surprised by her father’s reaction. Clearly King Basil was one to speak for himself rather than rely on advisors, and she didn’t think her father would wish to come across as less in control than an eighteen-year-old monarch.

“I doubt the original position of the border is one of the things we are likely to agree on,” King Basil said dryly. “However, one thing we can surely all acknowledge, is that this conflict has involved blame on both sides.”

“You think I’m going to acknowledge blame?” King Lloyd asked angrily. “Mistra has done nothing to provoke your aggression.”

A harsh frown flitted across King Basil’s face. “Having watched my father die for six long years, I find that statement a little hard to swallow.”

“Your father’s injury was a direct result of the unprovoked and barbaric attack he launched on my family.” King Lloyd’s aggression was back in full force. “And you can be certain I would not treat with the Entolian crown if the murderer Thorn still wore it.”

For a moment King Basil was silent, and Wren braced herself, certain an explosion was coming. Anyone with half Averett’s temper would never swallow such an insult. But King Basil once again surprised her.

“There’s no use in pretending this matter isn’t personal,” he said tightly. “For both of us.”

Wren saw the muscles in his arm tighten, and was sure he was clenching his fist under the table. But whatever emotion he was feeling, he was keeping it well in check. Grudgingly, she found herself applauding his restraint. Despite appearances, he clearly had the ability tonotspeak his mind, the difficulty of which Wren could appreciate better than anyone.

“But,” King Basil continued, “I don’t think we’ll get anywhere by dwelling on the emotional ramifications of—”

“Emotional?” King Lloyd roared, suddenly on his feet. The other Mistrans in the room scrambled to mirror him. “Your father orchestrated the murder of my children, and you tell me I’m being emotional?”

King Basil stood as well, although his movement was slow and controlled. “Of course not, Your Majesty. But one thing must be understood before we can continue. Whatever his faults, my father was not a murderer. Entolia had nothing to do with the tragic deaths of,” his eyes flicked unexpectedly to Wren, “most of your children.”

She felt herself flushing, and cursed the telling gesture. Had he also caught the inflection in her father’s voice? Had his ears also tricked him momentarily into thinking her father had saidallhis children were murdered?

“I don’t know if you’re a liar or a fool, King Basil,” said King Lloyd, breathing hard. “But this meeting is finished.” He turned as if to leave, then paused, looking back over his shoulder. “I have a great deal to attend to today. I will not be at liberty to meet with you again until tomorrow. Princess Wren will act as your hostess in the meantime.”

Without another word, he swept from the room, his advisors hurrying after him. King Basil remained motionless, staring at the doorway, but not as if he really saw it. Wren could see tension on the face of the nobleman beside him, and open anger radiated from the military officer. But King Basil remained calm.

She shifted uncomfortably, annoyed with her father for leaving her to babysit the slighted king, and embarrassed for him that his inability to control his words and emotions had made him show to poor advantage against his much younger counterpart. The movement drew King Basil’s eyes to her, and a rueful expression passed over his face. Knowing how forthright he was capable of being, she half expected him to complain to her face about being fobbed off on the mute princess.

But when he spoke, his tone was self-deprecating more than anything.

“Well.” He met her eyes. “That went well.”

Chapter Nine

The silent princess blinked at Basil. If tension hadn’t still been coursing through him from the encounter with King Lloyd, he would almost have laughed at her expression. She looked like she wasn’t sure whether to be offended or amused.

She’s not on your side, he reminded himself firmly.She’s Mistra’s future ruler, and Entolia is her enemy.

“Did I hear His Majesty correctly that you’ve been assigned to host me?”

Princess Wren nodded, her expression giving little away. Basil kept his own reflections to himself.

“Well then,” he said instead, spreading his arms wide. “I’m in your hands, Princess.”

She considered him for a moment then, with a graceful tilt of her head, she stepped toward the door. Basil moved around the table to join her, Lord Baldwin and the military advisor behind him. As they passed out of the room, two men in the livery of Mistran royal guards fell into step behind the princess, apparently having been waiting for her to emerge.

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