Page 142 of Song of the Heart Scale
Nobody said a word.
Good.
I left them standing there, frozen like dolls in a forgotten nursery, and went to find my brother.
Jacob was waitingin our usual place—the Black Siren, a tavern nestled in the heart of the merchant district where the ale was strong, the music louder, and gossip flowed like wine.
He grinned when he saw me and slid his mug to the side. “Didn’t think I’d see you here. I thought you’d forgotten about this place.”
I hadn’t forgotten, but obviously Cat didn’t know about it.
“You just fought in a war and you’re here having a drink?” I smirked as I sat down and signaled the barmaid for a drink.
“When you’re standing at the brink of death, Arya, it’s the little things like a mug of ale that bring a smile to a man’s face at the end of the night.” He smiled sadly.
“And here I thought it was women,” I snorted.
“Don’t be crass, Arya. You’re a lady,” he reprimanded.
I smirked. “Oh, you know me. I’ve never been very ladylike.”
He sighed. “Truthfully, I’m surprised to see you here. I thought you’d be celebrating with Prince Damien.”
By the Immortals! How was I going to explain his disappearance? Prince Damien was with Cat, not me. I took advantage of the barmaid arriving with my mug to think of an excuse.
“Prince Damien left,” I said carefully. “He’s gone.”
Jacob froze. “You mean…”
I nodded, letting him think Damien had left the kingdom.
“By the Immortals,” he muttered. “We couldn’t have won this war without him. Are you okay, Arya? I know how much you loved him.”
I rolled my eyes and held back a gag. “I’m fine, brother. Like you said, nothing like a mug of ale to bring a smile to one’s face.” I gulped my ale and looked away, but I couldn’t miss the look of confusion on Jacob’s face. I decided to change the subject. “I went to see Father. From now on, you will be the head of the household.”
His eyes widened. “What?”
“And Gianna is being reduced to a commoner.”
“What?!”
My expression was unforgiving. “They betrayed the crown, Jacob. This is their punishment.”
“Is Father still breathing?” he murmured.
I snorted. “Barely.”
He laughed, a rich, easy sound that warmed the chill clinging to my bones. “Then we drink.”
We clinked mugs. I took a long swallow. It burned, but in a good way.
The tavern was crowded tonight. Merchants, soldiers, thieves, and scholars were all pressed shoulder to shoulder, their voices raised in argument and laughter after the ravages of war.At the far end of the room, a bard stood atop a makeshift stage, tuning her lute.
“New song tonight,” Jacob said. “Been the talk of the city.”
I arched a brow. “Does it involve scandal, betrayal, or fire-breathing creatures?”
“All of the above, apparently.”
