Page 21 of Conspirators' Kingdom

“Like any other noble, I enjoy a choice bit of gossip. I hear you’re the daughter of a traitor, but despite being his victim, you’ve been treated like his accomplice. All while the empress, though sharing the same traitorous father, is treated like a conquering heroine and a spoiled wife. I wonder if you’ll really be able to introduce me to more than a handful of bride candidates given your recent, if undeserved, disgrace.”

If that were all they were saying about her, it would be a miracle. No doubt he’d kept the more vicious rumours to himself. One day she would have the wealth and power to make them pay, but until that time came, she would have to bear the insults. She gritted her teeth.

“Well, it seems you know everything pertinent, doesn’t it? But our deal stipulated I need only find one wife for you, not a multitude. Was Domina Emerald not to your liking?”

“I liked her well enough.”

“Then don’t get greedy, Prince Mereruka. In this, or anything else. Don’t think that I didn’t notice the scribe describing you as the king’s youngest brother, or the distinct lack of fae attendants following you about, despite your status. If our empire’s recent history is anything to go by, reaching for something that requires you to do it over the corpses of your siblings rarely goes well.”

The prince rounded on her and grabbed her wrist.

“It would be unwise to say such things in the open, Ambassador. The fae have excellent hearing, as do mages, I’m told.”

Taisiya searched his pale eyes and saw not just fury but also a sliver of fear. A kernel of doubt made her pause. In truth, she’d been trying to goad him into revealing something of his position in his own court. She feared he was greatly disliked among his people, as not a single fae was regularly serving him during his stay. In fact, most seemed to avoid him entirely. If he were a lazy, unloved courtier, he would make an unmotivated, potentially disastrous business contact. Conversely, he’d be an unwise choice of partner if outsized political aims put him at odds with his king. Curious, she pushed further.

“Am I sending your wife to her death?”

“Do you care?”

She stopped herself from replying that she did. Truthfully, so long as the woman he chose was no friend to her, what happened once they wed was not her concern. Especially if it meant making connections with someone as powerful as Magister Emerald, who was renowned for putting shrewd politicking over the happiness or health of his children. It would bother her a little to send someone to their certain doom, but not nearly so much if it meant her family were better off for it. Taisiya knew where her ultimate loyalty lay.

“Not as much as I should.” She lifted her chin, defiant.

The prince’s laugh was dark. He placed her hand on his arm and pulled her along the gravel path. She’d touched a nerve. Interesting.

“Then whatdoyou care about?”

“My half of our deal. You can’t give me exclusive trading rights if you’re dead or incompetent.”

“You make it sound like incompetence is the worse outcome.”

“For my purposes, it is.”

He scowled.

“A suitably unfeeling reply for a woman who prefers to act like she has a heart of stone.”

Anything less was liable to get one killed or disgraced.

“If you’d wanted someone to coddle you, you should’ve brought along your wet nurse.”

Instead of being put off by her insult, the prince… laughed. He howled until he was clutching his sides, in fact. In spite of herself, she caught herself thinking that he was a handsome man. And as soon as it crossed her mind, she crushed that thought into a bloody pulp beneath her heel. Exactly where she crushed every stray thought of his toned, sculpted, naked form.

Damnit.

“Are you done?” She arched her brow.

“Matching wits with you? Gods, I hope not.” His grin turned amorous as his eyes softened. He cupped her face with his hand and stroked her cheek with a thumb. Her traitorous heart leapt. “Be my lover, Taisiya.”

She pulled her face away and glared.

“Don’t be vulgar. I’m not about to sleep with a man I’m trying to marry off,” Taisiya spat back, though heat crept up her neck.

“Are mages so prudish? Just think, you could… advertise my charms, after sampling them for yourself.”

“I assure you, no prospective bride would wish to hear of it,” Taisiya retorted.

“I’m not married yet,” he tried gamely.

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