Page 114 of Conspirators' Kingdom

The newest charms woven into the beads of her necklace would hopefully help with that.

“And what is your excuse as to why I’m not joining you?”

“You are busy planning a proper burial for Nefertnesu.”

This, technically, was his responsibility, and what he would be doing before Taisiya lured Inkaef away from his pocket realm. A truth, but only just.

“Are you certain you can keep your secrets to yourself, even when drunk?” Mereruka asked.

Vasilisa snickered.

“Taisiya prefers to sing naughty poems when she’s sloshed. She doesn’t get chatty.”

At Mereruka’s raised brow, Taisiya blushed and cleared her throat.

“I’ll be there to be a distraction if she starts saying something compromising,” Bas said.

“It’s not like we’ll be drinking something Itet has any experience with, either. The spirits my family makes are exceptionally potent. We’re just lucky my sisters thought to send some with me,” Taisiya added.

“Are we ready yet? Because I’m ready now,” Vasilisa said, all but jumping out of her skin.

Mereruka ignored her impatience to see his wife off.

“Be as moderate as you can.”

“I will,” she assured him.

Her blithe reply didn’t assure him in the least. Itet was skilled in few things, but one of them was holding her liquor, and the other was tempting others into drinking more than they should.

“And if something tastes off—”

“I know, make a big deal of it so Bas knows that magic is in play.”

He didn’t think either Itet or Inkaef would do anything to her, but their servants or Khety’s? It was impossible to be certain. Spies and malefactors multiplied like rabbits at court. Mereruka would know, as several of his were permanent fixtures there.

“And—”

Taisiya placed a finger on his lips.

“Hush. I’m not the one with the dangerous job.”

Her look was censorious. Mereruka frowned. Itet wasn’t a normal woman, and her alcohol tolerance was unnatural. But he felt better for having Bas accompany her.

“Kiss me for luck?” Mereruka asked.

Taisiya pulled him down to meet her lips. He held her close, slating his lips across hers, teasing her tongue with his own. It was a shame they’d been so busy with their schemes. He wouldn’t have minded another chance to get reacquainted with his wife’s cries of pleasure.

“We don’t have all night. Also, ew, we’re right here,” Vasilisa complained as she gestured to herself and Bas.

Bas, at least, had the good manners to find something on the floor to be politely enthralled by.

Mereruka nipped Taisiya’s lip before he released her, her eyes dark with desire. By the look of her, he was going to have to feed that pocket realm again. If Taisiya’s hungry expression was anything to go by, he was going to be making regular use of it.

“Alright. Good luck, Meri. Vasilisa, protect him. Bas, with me,” Taisiya said as she collected herself.

Taisiya turned, grabbing a sizeable amphora full of spirits. She left the cabin of the barge with a cat on her heels, on her way to Itet’s lodgings in the Court of the Inundation.

Now, the unpleasant part.

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