Page 151 of Conspirators' Kingdom

“Yes, we will.” Serfka sighed.

Radjedef nodded.

“Vasilisa, would you be so kind as to deliver my brothers to Qar and explain the situation? Taisiya, Nofret and I will see to the destruction of the building in the meantime.”

Both his brothers recoiled when Vasilisa clapped her hands on their shoulders, her smile one of unholy glee. Radjedef’s nostrils flared in fear. Unlike Serfka, he knew what awaited him.

“Come. The void awaits. Do try not to flail. It will attract the things which hunger.”

“Merciful gods—” Serfka gasped, dragged into the void with a sharp, none-too-gentle yank.

When they were gone from sight, Mereruka swept Taisiya up in his arms for a much-delayed kiss, careful not to touch her neck. She wrapped her arms around him and devoured him hungrily, her shaking fingers clenched in his hair.

“Reckless,” he growled between kisses. “Damned,” he groaned as she tugged on his hair to bring his mouth back on hers. “Woman,” he hissed as she nipped his ear.

“You have no ground to stand on! You could have died!” she hissed back.

“I’m a shameless hypocrite. You already know this.”

She huffed but buried herself in his embrace.

Nofret politely cleared her throat.

“Perhaps we should turn this building to rubble? I’m sure you would both like to return to the barge and get cleaned up.”

Taisiya’s amethyst eyes swam with emotion, mirroring his own turmoil. Best get this over with quick. He needed the comfort of her wrapped around him.

“Yes, let’s get on with the destruction.”

Chapter 57

Thebargewastetherednear the palace, still and serene. Only the gentle night breeze and the creaking of wood interrupted the quiet. Within its sumptuous walls, where the noise was muffled, serenity was in short supply. Mereruka, Taisiya and Nofret arrived to raised, bitter voices and a distinct lack of calm and decorum. Mereruka stifled a sigh.

“You’ll sleep where I tell you, with my soldiers at your doors. You think I’ll trust either of you with your own pocket realms?” Qar snorted with derision.

Qar stood a head taller—and half a man broader—than either of Mereruka’s siblings. His hippo ears twitched in anger, flicking his black braids. When he punctuated his words with a feral grin, it was to display overlong incisors.

“But a pocket realm is safest for us!” Serfka whined. “If anyone sees us, your master’s whole plan will be for naught!”

Radjedef grunted in agreement, keeping a warrior’s stance in Qar’s presence. Probably the only sign of respect he would ever give someone of a lower rank than himself.

“No one here will fetch you the requisite sacrifice,” Qar replied, not budging an inch.

“What seems to be the problem? Are your quarters not to your liking? Is my hospitality lacking?” Mereruka asked, intentionally letting a hard edge colour his words.

“Your servant’s certainly is! All we’re asking for is to be able to create pocket realms of our own, for safety!” Serfka replied in a huff.

“Qar is not a servant. He is my overseer of the soldiers, and a man I place a great deal of trust in. And I agree with him on this matter. Though we have your oaths of loyalty, you have not yet earned our trust. You will sleep in your assigned rooms, or Vasilisa will find somewhere in the void for you. After all, since only she can access it, you would be safest of all in there.”

Vasilisa helpfully waggled her fingers at his brothers with a sly grin on her face. Colour leached from both their faces.

“What will it be?”

Grudgingly, his brothers followed the soldiers to their rooms. When they were out of sight, Mereruka clapped Qar on the back.

“I’m glad you’ve returned.”

“As am I. No troubles on our way. The three little creatures have been safely stowed in Rhacotis. When we heard you’d been sent to collect dragon scales, we rushed here as quickly as we could.”

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