Page 45 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

Lessia’s spine shot straight, her hand moving toward the dagger poking her thigh. “Why would you ask me that?”

Tilting his head, Loche glanced at the hand hovering outside her cloak. “You came armed. Clever girl. Or perhaps it was that resourceful guard of yours. That makes more sense.”

He nodded to himself before his eyes sliced to hers once more. “You don’t think I know what’s been happening in Vastala? Like your king, I have spies everywhere in Havlands.”

She remained quiet, keeping her eyes locked on his.

“I’ve already informed your king we have nothing to do with the deaths and disappearances. And he isn’t unaware of my spies. Like I know of his in Ellow. But if he were to haveone infiltrate the elections… Now, that’s an act of war, one I wouldn’t be able to overlook.”

“He is notmyking,” Lessia hissed. “I have lived in Ellow for years. This is my home. I don’t know what’s happening in Vastala, nor do I care.”

Still not a lie.

She didn’t consider Rioner her king, even though she might have to do his bidding for a few more weeks.

And she truly didn’t care one lick about what happened in Vastala.

But her stomach churned as golden-brown hair flashed before her eyes.

With a low snarl, she forced the images away.

“What a temper you have. Is it the Fae genes, or just part of your charming personality? What I’ve gathered from the patrons frequenting your taverns, you’re typically much more agreeable.” Loche quirked a brow as his gaze swept over her tense posture.

Clenching her fists, she couldn’t stop herself from growling, “Can you fault me? I’ve tried to be kind to you, but you seem to hate me for no reason.”

“I don’t care enough for you to hate you, darling.” He smirked. “I just think it’s curious that you, of all people, would partake in the election.”

“Why? Because I’m half-Fae?” She couldn’t stop her lip from curling, her canines rasping against the bottom one.

“No.” His eyes flashed. “I have been advocating for more collaboration with the Fae. I believe our kind can benefit from forgetting the old grievances. But it does strike me as odd that a half-Fae, as you say, who has shown no interest in politics nominates herself in our election two days after I met with your king to discuss what’s happening in Vastala andinformed him we’ve had ships disappear as well, soldiers who never came back from the borders.”

It was all she could do to not let her brows fly up, keep her features neutral.

It was happening in Ellow too?

She hadn’t heard anything.

No whispers in her taverns, no gossip from her suppliers.

She needed to ask Ardow, who managed most of the business with the ships, if he’d picked up anything.

If whatever was going on was this widespread, there must be rumors she’d missed.

“What doesn’t make sense to me, though, is why Rioner would employ a tavern owner. Someone who’s lived here for years with no signs of ever even contacting someone in Vastala.”

His eyes swept over her again.

Too perceptive.

Too seeing.

“You don’t want to be here. That’s very clear. So why are you?”

Guilt nearly made her cringe.

But Lessia made herself think of Ardow and Amalise, of the children they saved.

She was doing this for them.

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