Page 29 of Kiss the Filthiest King

Loch is my equal in all things, a child of the high queen, a hundred times smarter than I ever could be with the centuries of knowledge and power he’s accumulated.

Then there’s Relva, heiress of the sea court, and while she seems content to play court games, I sense something in her, harsh and strong as the waves she comes from.

Caenan’s simpler. More human-like, in a way. I wonder if that’s why I’ve trusted him with Rachel. He’s the least likely to see her as disposable.

Valdred would have made a good choice, too, if only because the asshole owes me, but he’s absent. We don’t discuss it, but I can tell it makes the others uneasy. He professed his loyalty, and should be here to prove it.

As long as he shows up when we’re facing the courts, I tell myself it doesn’t matter. He’s allowed to have his own affairs. I don’t think him likely to betray me. But maybe that’s my inexperience and naivety talking. The others believe any of us capable of treachery. The last few days haven’t yet turned me as jaded.

“We ought to return,” Ryther says, and Rachel immediately glares at him, her tearstained face full of self-righteous fury.

I sigh deeply, squeezing her hand. “We can come back here any time,” I assure her gently. “For now, we need to…”

“Ensure your continued survival?” Loch supplies.

I nod gravely. Such are the stakes. I will rule, or I will die. It’ll all depend on how good a show I can put on tonight.

At least a lifetime of performing guarantees I don’t get stage fright.

14

AS FAR AS I CAN THROW

Darina

“Ifound you a dress.” Loch waltzes into the room without knocking. “Well, I found you many dresses, but this one will do for tonight. It seems to convey the idea of ‘bow, you unworthy peasant’ quite effortlessly.”

“I’m naked,” I point out with a groan.

Apparently, today is the day for my siblings to walk into my room while I’m in various stages of undress. At least I’m no longer having sex.

Ryther’s preparing herbs for Rachel, using the various little flasks in his pockets. He’s reluctant and muttering all the way through, but he’s doing it. I was mostly regaining use of my limbs. Now, I dip under the covers, which smell of fresh roses despite the fact that these rooms were shut for a thousand years.

“Can’t say I care.” He drops a pile of dark fabric on the low, blue divan near the bed, and plops on top of it. “I found one for your sister too, but it has to be taken in, in several places. Speaking of, send her away. She’ll get herself killed. She’s already antagonizedme.”

Ryther’s look is both smug and cutting. I ignore it. “She did?”

“Yes. Veiled insults. It was all very childish and immature.” He dismisses it with a wave of his hand. “The point is, she’s not very smart.”

I glower. “Rachel is extremely intelligent.”

“She’s not court smart, and has no clue of her place in this world,” Loch continues. “All of that is dangerous for her—and for you, because you care.”

I sigh. “Yeah, well, I think she’ll get the memo now. Ryther…illustrated the point.” I try not to blush. “And he’s mixing her herbs to repel enchantments.”

“Which will only embolden her if she believes herself protected. I literally could have turned her into a pig and eaten her. If I were hungrier, I might have. Do send her away. We have enough to worry over without a completely defenseless pet to care for. One with sharp teeth.”

I dislike how he’s speaking about her—despite the fact that I understand all his points. “She just lost her parents. She just lost her fiancé. She’s just been assaulted by my…” I stop there. “Whatever he is.”

I know the word. I just feel incredibly dumb saying it. We haven’t so much as talked about what we are. He’s never asked me out.

“Whatever I am?” I can’t tell if Ryther is offended or amused.

Loch sighs. “If you won’t part with her, control her. Now, let us talk about the party. We have an hour, maybe less, until the lords are awake, dressed, and ready for blood. What’s the plan?”

I mostly let them talk and listen. The lesson Ryther bestowed upon my sister was also a reminder that this is not my world, and I don’t know its rules.

My goal here is to survive. They know how to, and I trust both of them to have my continued existence farther up in their list of priority than I previously believed. Indeed, Ryther has proven it figures somewhere near top.

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