Page 122 of Crown of Briars
My stomach fluttered, but I forced away the warm tingly feeling that blossomed inside me when he flirted with me. I pointed to the bathing chamber. “Right. Well, I’ll just go get dressed, then.”
Before I could embarrass myself any further, I strode into the bathing room, eager to put as much distance between Varius and me as possible.
As soon as Varius left,I pulled on a tunic and trousers, donned my boots, and grabbed my cloak. A sharp clinking sound alerted me to the gemstones that had spilled from my pouch.
It took me a moment to recall that Varius had been digging through them to locate the amber stone.
Because I had been calling to him.
No,moaninghis name.
While I dreamt of him plunging his fingers inside me.
Horror and humiliation washed over me as my cheeks burned anew. “Not now, Sybelle,” I whispered to myself. Varius wasn’t even here, and I was still overcome with embarrassment.
I quickly thrust the gemstones back into the pouch, then paused when I reached the mysterious black stone. Frowning, I wrapped my fingers around it and looked up at the mirror. The contents swirled like smoke, and my heart seized in fear. For a moment, it looked like Necro Shadows.
But then the mist cleared to reveal Varius striding down the hall. He approached Clermont and asked, “Is everything ready?”
Clermont’s mouth formed a thin line. “Tavish has located Warwick. The plan is in place. He should be dead withinthe hour.”
Varius gave a curt nod. “Good. We can’t risk leaving him alive. This needs to be done quickly and quietly.”
“You know how efficient Tavish is. I’m certain the task will be fulfilled to your liking.”
Varius’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You disapprove.”
Clermont heaved a sigh. “I have always disapproved of Tavish’s methods, my lord. I find them to be barbaric.”
Varius spread his hands. “What would you have me do? Imprison him, only to let him escape once more? Kill him myself, and risk losing the loyalty of my soldiers? Let him roam free, so he can threaten my wife again?” The last words came out as a low growl.
Clermont said nothing, but a muscle worked in his jaw, betraying his discomfort.
Varius rubbed a hand down his face. “What news from the spy network?”
“No sight of any approaching army. All is quiet on Chesser Road.”
Varius nodded, his eyes distant. “They must be waiting on word from Warwick. If so, it means that, when he dies, the plan falls apart.”
“That is the hope, my lord.”
“Keep me apprised of any new information you hear.”
Clermont pressed a fist to his chest. “Of course, my lord.”
Varius strode away, and the glass in the mirror swirled with smoke once again.
My chest tightened with unease. This still didn’t feel right. Even if Warwick died and whoever his contact was decided not to advance, it didn’t explain why my father would be working alongside a fae like Warwick.
I rubbed my thumb over the smooth surface and murmured, “Show me my father. Show me King Maddox of the Earthen Court.”
I looked up at the mirror. The smoky contents continuedchurning. I waited for the image to clear, but it never did. Nothing but gray nothingness.
Frowning, I tried again. “Show me my sister, Orla, Princess of the Earthen Court.”
More churning smoke. Just when I was about to conclude that the stone was only connected to Varius, the mist faded to reveal my sister sitting in the dining hall, wearing a vibrant peach gown and a gaudy tiara with amethysts bigger than my fist. She was tucking into a plate of roast meat and seasoned potatoes. But she was alone at the table. Father wasn’t with her.
Perhaps he was traveling. Or sleeping. Maybe that was why the mirror couldn’t show him to me.
