Page 22 of Conspirators' Kingdom

She rolled her eyes and prayed for patience. And disinterest.

“Semantics.”

“You liked me well enough last night. Had trouble looking away, in fact.”

Taisiya choked on a squeak of indignation. Blood rushed to her cheeks in earnest then.

“You’re pretty when you blush, Taisiya.”

“Keep talking, Prince Mereruka, and the next woman I present to you will be a widow with a long list of husbands who all tragically died shortly after their weddings.”

He chuckled. In an instant, the womanizer was replaced by the gentleman. She was beginning to wonder just how many faces this man had, and more importantly, which one she needed to heed.

“I apologise. I rarely meet a woman who keeps me on my toes. What can I do to earn your forgiveness?”

Taisiya turned her attention to the path ahead and did her best to cool her heated cheeks. Gods, this man was giving her whiplash. She hated that he could affect her so.

“I wish to purchase a number of luxuries from you. No doubt many of the nobles are keen to get their hands on a taste of what now sits in the imperial treasury. I want them to grow accustomed to seeking me out for such things,” Taisiya said.

Even now, seamstresses in the capital were being asked to create imitations of the dress she’d worn the night before. Overnight, facsimiles of fae jewellery, footwear and statuettes had popped up in the stores of the capital. The scooped necklines of the season were being remade into deep, plunging points, and the structured skirts were giving way to dresses that flowed over every curve, moving like liquid and teasing at the form beneath.

“The goods are yours. But I don’t want to be compensated with gold. I want you to don the best Maat has to offer and to do it in front of the whole of Lethe’s court.”

She’d planned to do just that. What better way to advertise her rising social and fiscal capital than by wearing the goods she would soon exclusively provide? But were they of a mind on this issue, or did he have another motive?

“Why?”

The prince shrugged.

“It’s good business and because it pleases me that you do so.”

She supposed under the circumstances it was the best answer she could hope for. At least he wasn’t a lazy fool when it came to business. Taisiya led them back towards the palace proper. The time for strolling was at an end.

“Come, it’s time for you to meet the next bride candidate.”

And gods help the woman if she, too, were a no-show.

Chapter 13

Mererukasupposedit’dbeenat least a few days since the malcontents among the fae had tried anything. Bas was too busy looking into the backgrounds of various noble ladies to spy on his enemies. In retrospect, it had been a poor use of his limited resources.

The enormous beast mage Strategos Marduk approached him with Djadty at his side, deep in conversation. He’d gone on alert as the red-ochre-skinned fae smiled his crocodile grin at him, his white hair and sharp blue eyes shining. Djadty was one of the king’s many royal guards, though one of the least favoured, ostensibly in charge of the safety of the diplomatic mission. Mereruka was certain the only one Djadty meant to keep from real harm was himself. A quick glance at his other enemies—the scribe Raemka and the quiet treasury official Itu—with their amused glances, confirmed his suspicions.

“Prince Mereruka, your man Djadty tells me that you enjoy regular sparring. If it pleases you, you’re welcome to join my men during our practice tomorrow morning. We’ll take care to replace our steel with more appropriate metals.”

He was about to politely decline when Domina Chloe Emerald’s eyes sparkled with interest. She’d kept close to him since he’d met with another woman a few days past. Even now, her hand was tucked into the crook of his arm and every starry-eyed woman who approached was quickly glared into a hasty retreat.

“How splendid! I’m sure many at court are keen to see what you and your men are capable of, Prince Mereruka. If you’ll allow it, I would be happy to organize such an event,” Chloe said.

“I can’t speak for the prince, but I assure you I would happily participate,” Djadty added.

“I suppose such a thing could be arranged with a few of my men,” Marduk said.

“Wonderful! Of course, we must defer to your preferences, Prince Mereruka.” Domina Emerald smiled demurely.

With few polite options left to him that wouldn’t have him looking like every kind of spoilsport, Mereruka gritted his teeth and smiled. He was beginning to worry that Chloe was not a suitable candidate after all, if she couldn’t read the situation between him and the other fae by now.

“I look forward to seeing what Lethe has to offer.”

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