Page 61 of Conspirators' Kingdom

“That’s fair. I lied about the vow because I wanted to live after our wedding. Though, in truth, I believe I am only alive because your mother wants you to be Queen of Maat.”

“She does?” Taisiya asked.

Mother had said it was a good opportunity to spread her wings, but she hadn’t mentioned overthrowing the current king of Maat. Taisiya’s heart warmed at the thought.

“She told me in no uncertain terms to either make you queen or get the hells out of your way.” Mereruka smiled. “Your ambition and your cunning would be wasted in your homeland, Taisiya. There was no one there worthy of being your partner, and no challenge great enough for your talents.”

“The flatterer returns,” Taisiya scoffed.

“And yet none of it is untrue. I thought marrying a mage would be my downfall. Now I suspect it was my salvation.”

Taisiya glared down at him. A lazy smile tugged up the corners of his dark teal lips. He looked exhausted, his eyes were hooded, dark circles beneath them. Even the glow of his tattoos appeared muted. As much as she wanted to berate him, as much as he deserved it and more, he might not be awake long enough to finish a conversation.

“Go back to sleep. We’re going to have a lot of planning to do once you’ve recovered. In the meantime, I have business to take care of.”

“Killing our assailant?”

“Yes,” she answered, fighting her anxiety. It would be a long time before bloodshed was no longer necessary to achieve her aims. She needed to overcome this horrid sickness soon, or she might not have the mettle to do what was necessary when a situation called for action. That her first instinct was not to attack when faced with a threat shamed her.

“I’m sorry. Do you want to wait until I’m well? I know you dislike bloodshed, and they’re not going anywhere.”

She wished she could let him soothe her, shield her, but it would only make her weak. And give her enemies time to regroup.

“No. I don’t want them lurking about.” She paused, her eyes on the door, “Tell me, is there anywhere on a fae body that is more sensitive than a mage’s?”

If she were going to pierce the man through with iron, she wanted it to hurt so badly that no one ever dared try it again. They couldn’t afford for Mereruka to be brought this low for this long once they reached Maat. Lightning was a fine tool, but perhaps not one suited to countering curses, or being transformed against her will, not if she couldn’t anticipate when it would happen. Fear was the only thing that would keep her safe if Mereruka were indisposed.

“I don’t really know, but our ears are quite sensitive, as a rule.”

“Are they?” she asked.

She’d been curious about his ears for a while now. Every so often, they would twitch when he was emotional. Taisiya turned back to Mereruka and ran the tip of her finger along the outer edge of his pointed ear. He sucked in a breath, his eyes wide. His hungry stare had her gut clenching.

“You’re lucky I’m weak as a kitten, wife,” he purred.

Taisiya jerked her hand away. Stupid. So stupid. What had she been doing? She turned away so he couldn’t see her blush. Sometimes, she wondered if he’d cast a fae spell on her. Knowing him, it wasn’t beyond the bounds of possibility. Though if she asked, and he hadn’t, she might never live down the embarrassment. Best not to think on it. This spark of desire was vexatious but temporary. She would overcome it soon enough—either when he did something irredeemable, or when he proved so lacklustre that he killed whatever fool fantasies her mind conjured.

“Go to sleep, Mereruka.”

“Meri.”

“Pardon?”

“Call me Meri,” he mumbled.

“I-” Taisiya started, but stopped when she turned to find he’d already fallen asleep. She clicked her tongue in frustration, muttering. “Trouble.”

Bas knocked before he entered, his expression grim.

“They’re all gathered.”

“Good. Guard Meri-Mereruka.” She corrected herself, blushing. To her horror, Bas’ ears twitch at the slip.

He nodded but didn’t meet her eyes, his lips pressed together to hide a small smile.

Damn it! Blood! Guts! Gore! Think of anything but that damn fae man!she cursed to herself.

“I’ll return when it’s done.” She fled the cabin and her shame, finding a place before the gathered delegation. It was time to be done with the malefactors aboard this ship once and for all.

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