Page 54 of Kiss the Filthiest King

"Someone is going to have to explain that one to me," his twin says.

"When Darina was brought here, Junis used a pathfinder portal. So he took her to one of their halfway house—pubs where their clients wait for passage—and there, she was…used as entertainment. With an incubus, right?"

"Seevar," I recall. "Incubi are sort of demons, aren't they?"

"And that one owes you a life debt. It could work. If your witch can get in touch with him, and he is either old enough to remember, or has enough influence to ask someone who does…"

That's a lot of ifs, but at least we have a plan. And better yet, it doesn't involve reading anymore dusty books.

Calreth stands. "I'll make contact with the witch. I can travel across world with ease, and I'm the least needed amongst us for tonight. I'll make it if I can, but no one truly expectsmeat the coronation."

Just him showing up at the council last night was enough to show he’s on my side. Calreth might be a lord of Ilvaris, but he and his court generally care little about this world in general. I only have his support thanks to Ryther.

"I owe you so much," I say. "All of you."

Calreth rolls his eyes. "I'm sure you'll even the score, if we manage to keep you alive for long enough."

On that note, he bows and follow the others out.

"Speaking of debts," Ryther says, "after the coronation, I will join the many supplicants who will ask a favor of you.Have a care when you think of whether to grant or deny it and make it clear to the court you’re pondering and how you reached your decision."

Before I can ask what, he continues.

"We should not discuss it at all in private, because they’ll tell us we have and we’ll be able to say no. I merely advise you to think on whether it is fair."

Of course. Everything he does in public is for show, to make a point about his place or mine.

I pout."Then why tell me at all? I’ll wonder about it all day now."

He smirks. "Because I didn’t think it wise for you to be taken entirely by surprise. Ask Loch, ask Valdred, ask anyone at all their opinion, so that they may see you listen to the advice you're given and think for yourself."

"Can't I have a hint?" I ask.

It's Loch who replies. "No. He's already said too much. This is clever. He should treat you as he would any queen. Andyouought to think on how you'd reply if the request came from a complete stranger."

"Ruling is complicated." I'm fully aware of how whiny I sound.

"It’s all rather simple," Loch contradicts me. "You have to say yes in order to say no. The more you like something you more you deny it. And if you have any enemies? Well, fall in love with them. There are few greater punishments than the love of a queen."

"How is any ofthatsimple, exactly?" Rachel retorts.

Loch is quick to explain. "In any situation, consider the least pleasant and that’s the right one. See? Simple."

"But hardly easy," I say.

"If it were easy anyone could do it and no one would need a monarch at all. Your choices don’t have to be popular. They merely need to be right."

"I wonder if our mother thought something similar before she condemnedyouto death andmeto a thousand years in the form of a stone."

My brother tips his head. "In all likelihood? Yes."

25

THE WORST IDEA

Rachel

"Are you going to ignore every ounce of wisdom thrown your way?"

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