Page 76 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

Frayson raised his hands. “Settle down, gentlemen. There is no point in arguing. We need to figure out who did this and how to stop it from happening again.”

Loche turned his head when Zaddock bent down to whisper something, then stalked out of the room after the exchange.

“You’re unusually quiet, Loche.” Craven waved a finger in his direction. “Anything you’d like to share?”

Loche didn’t bother glancing in the man’s direction. “Not really.”

Frowning, Lessia sliced her gaze between the men.

Loche was unusually quiet.

Some of his men had died tonight, and while she’d seen him affected by it, she was surprised he didn’t offer more opinions.

They all turned to the door when a guard walked through it, and Lessia tensed when he bore the dark blue uniform signaling his captain’s position in the navy. But the pin on his chest was of two crossed swords, not the sail of Stellia’s company.

“You may speak freely, Captain.” Frayson eyed them, his gaze lingering on Merrick behind her for a moment before he continued. “There are only friends in the room.”

Nodding, the captain straightened, heels slamming together. “Stellia and two of her battleships have gone missing. They were seen close to the borders of Vastala two days ago, but it’s like they’ve disappeared from this realm. We spoke to one of the Fae captains, and they haven’t crossed their waters. We will continue searching, but it seems she had this planned for a while.”

Lessia’s mouth fell open when Loche stormed out of the room, the door slamming shut behind him.

“I guess Loche is informing his own guards to keep an eye out.” Frayson tried to smile at them.

“As he should. He is still regent,” Craven scoffed.

Lessia rolled her eyes, briefly locking her gaze with that of a scowling Venko.

“Well.” Frayson rose on shaky legs, glancing down at his nightshirt. “The council is still coming tomorrow. There willbe a debate at noon and a ball in the evening. We cannot postpone it, but we’re bringing in twice the number of guards and will keep a close eye on who enters the castle. I suggest you go to bed. We’ll ensure your rooms are well guarded.”

Muttering under his breath, Craven left the room with his massive guard, who’d been posted by the door. Venko followed soon after, still without a personal guard by his side, but two of Loche’s men fell in step behind him as he disappeared around the corner.

As Lessia walked through the doors, closely followed by Merrick, a hand landed on her back. “May I speak with you?”

When she turned around, Zaddock gestured toward a small alcove beneath the stairway. “In private?”

Stepping in between them, Merrick growled, “If you think I’m letting her out of my sight, you’re very wrong.”

Lessia fought a smile when Zaddock nodded gravely.

Merrick wasn’t concerned for her safety out of the goodness of his heart. He was only concerned because of his duty to his king—because they needed her alive.

For now, at least.

“Of course. I wasn’t implying you weren’t welcome to join.” Zaddock waved toward the dim spot by the stairs again. “Could we speak over there?”

“Yes.” Lessia glared in Merrick’s direction when a low sound rumbled in his chest.

When the Fae reached out for her arm, she slipped away, following Zaddock.

She was curious whether he’d be able to tell them more about why Stellia would attack, and she wouldn’t have the grumpy Fae warrior stop her.

As they huddled together, Merrick’s large frame towering over them, Zaddock waited until two guards marched past to take up their positions at the castle entrance.

Lessia’s pulse quickened in the thick silence.

What could he want to tell them that he couldn’t even tell the guards of Ellow?

After casting a swift glance around, Zaddock spoke in a hushed voice. “I don’t know what’s going on with you and Loche, and usually I would say it’s none of my business, but election times are dangerous as it is…”

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