Page 15 of The Robin on the Oak Throne

“You know why I’m here.”

“You want to play a game,” Estelle said with a smile.

“I’m already in one.”

“If you brought your wife, then you’re foolish indeed.” She patted Graves’s cheek once. “It doesn’t suit you.”

Kierse glanced between them. “How does that make him foolish?”

Estelle’s smile turned deadly. For the first time, Kierse could see the power behind her Game Master title in her violet irises.

“Graves has played games with me across a century. He knows how the rules work. He knows how my magic works,” she told Kierse. “Playing with him used to be more interesting.”

“You mean when I won?” Graves teased.

Estelle shrugged. “It’s not about winning or losing. It’s about what you’re willing to lose to play.”

Kierse’s head snapped to Graves. “What does she mean by that?”

“Graves has sacrificed many others to the game. You may be his wife, but for what he wants, I believe he’d sacrifice you, too. Am I right, mon chéri?”

“It depends on the price,” he said, unconcerned.

“Graves,” Kierse snarled.

Estelle smiled. “Are you going to tell me what you’rehere for, then?”

“We both know the answer to that.”

“Yes, but we can only begin when you ask for what you want. You know the rules.”

Graves’s eyes cut to Kierse. “The cauldron.”

Estelle grinned devilishly. “Ah, so it has reached your ears that it was found.”

“That it’s in your possession.”

“And you want to play for it?”

He nodded. “Let’s play an old familiar game, Estelle.”

“Not you.” Estelle’s eyes cut to Kierse. “Her.”

“Me?” Kierse asked, uncomprehending. “I am not here to play a game. I’m actually over games in general.”

“She’s not part of this, Estelle,” Graves growled.

“She’s very much a part of this. If she’s here in my house…with you, then you knew it was a possibility. What would it hurt to have her play?”

Graves ground his teeth together. “I’m not willing to harm her.”

“My games don’t harm anyone.”

His laugh was sardonic. “We’ve known each other too long for that.”

“Surely you want to play,” Estelle said, turning on Kierse. “You could win your beau his greatest prize.”

“I’mthe prize,” Kierse argued.

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