Page 126 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

Fifty-Four

Asmile pulled at her lips as she stretched her arms over her head before getting off the dais.

Lessia waved to a few people she recognized as they filed out of the room, then caught Amalise’s eyes and started to make her way across the room.

It took longer than she anticipated, as several people stopped her, real smiles on their faces as they congratulated her on a good debate. Even if she spotted a few frosty glares and backs that turned on her as she passed, she didn’t care.

It had been a good debate.

She’d spoken to nearly every topic: from how to involve the smaller isles in Ellow’s business more, to how to ensure the harvest didn’t suffer too hard from the harsh winter and how to build better ships to guarantee the safety of the fishermen.

To her delight Craven had said little more than a sentence, and Venko had also been unusually quiet, speaking up mostly when it came to trade—as it directly impacted his own ventures.

Loche had been in his element, and Lessia hadn’t been able to tear her eyes away when he spoke to the townsfolk.

The kindness and care that radiated from him as he walked off the dais and hugged a widow whose husband had been one of Stellia’s men, telling her he wouldn’t stop until whoever did this was hung from the gates of the castle, was unlike anything she’d encountered.

He patiently listened to even the smallest of complaints about loose stones in the road outside a resident’s house, never once raising his voice or dismissing a concern.

She could see why the people had elected him.

Why he’d likely win again.

Lessia was grinning from ear to ear by the time she reached Amalise and Ardow.

Although the attack and what Venko told her last night lingered in her mind, she had too much to be happy about.

The election would soon be over, and so, hopefully, would be her entanglement with the king.

Loche would surely be elected again, and she believed him when he said life would be better.

And her friends were here—had seen her success during the debate.

Dragging them both into her arms, she let out a deep breath, the constant tension in her body easing.

When she pulled back, Amalise patted her arm. “You did amazing. I knew you would, but I had no idea you knew so much about harvest or taxes.”

Lessia wiggled her brows. “I may have done some homework.”

“Ever the overperformer.” Ardow chuckled. “You might even win this whole thing.”

Lessia batted him away. “You know as well as I do that Iwon’t. But Loche did great, didn’t he? I think the next five years will be quite good under his rule.”

Ardow’s features darkened, and he lowered his voice as he glanced behind them. “He’s really got you under his spell, then. I wondered, but I thought you were cleverer than that, Lia.”

She shared a look with Amalise.

When Amalise only shrugged, she frowned at Ardow. “What do you mean?”

Dragging them both with him into a corner, a safe distance from the people who lingered in the room and from the guards who hadn’t yet started following people up into the sitting room where food was going to be served, Ardow spoke urgently.

“He is not good, Lessia. I don’t know how you cannot see it, but he’s dangerous. You need to stay away from him.”

Apprehension churned in her gut, and as she turned her head over her shoulder, she caught Loche’s dark eyes from where he stood by Zaddock’s side in the doorway.

His mouth lifted when their gazes locked, and she couldn’t help but offer him a small smile in return. Averting her eyes, she forced herself to keep the smile as she turned back to Ardow and Amalise.

Like Amalise, Ardow was protective over her.

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