Page 97 of Faeling
“It should be enough to get my people in place,” said Eydis.
“Your people?” asked Ravenna.
A sly smile curled Eydis’s lips. “Hasn’t he told you yet? I’m Balmirra’s spymaster.”
Ravenna’s brows rose, but after a moment to think on it, no, that wasn’t really surprising. “That would explain a lot.”
Asta snorted. “Ulrich thought he, as lord commander, was spymaster, but really, it’s always been Eydis.”
Looking more than a little proud of herself, Eydis brushed nonexistent lint from her robes. “I live to serve the king.”
Vallek barked a laugh. “No, you’re just nosy.”
“That, too.”
Ravenna held up a finger. “Forgive me, I’m a novice at espionage. How does the announcement help your spies?”
“Don’t be modest, you infiltrated the orc king’s court very adeptly,” said Eydis with a wink.
Vallek threw her a sour look, but Ravenna just shrugged. “I’m sure only because you let me.”
“Well, that’s true. Although, we never found much about you at all.” Eydis’s gaze was meaningful, and Ravenna had no doubt the orcess would love to peel her away to reveal all her secrets, just as she did the apricot, but Ravenna was harder than that. She didn’t know if she would even tell Vallek, and she foresaw few scenarios where she admitted anything to Eydis before Vallek.
Less because he was her mate and more because Eydis was far scarier.
“But to answer your question, this will provide an excellent opportunity to plug a known leak.”
Asta groaned. “Don’t let her go on about the leak again.”
“She needs to know,” Eydis argued. “We believe there is at least one member of staff currently selling information north. Definitely to an Eirean margrave, possibly even to the fae.”
“It might help explain why they think their criminal is in our lands,” said Vallek. He didn’t look at Ravenna when he said it—in fact, no one looked at her at all—but the implication still sat with them in the den.
“Ulrich claimed he had leads on who it might be. I have mydoubts.” Eydis shrugged. “His actions the past few months have been…questionable.”
Snapping her fingers, Asta sat up straight. “That reminds me. We need a new lord commander.”
Bryn threw her hands up. “I’m going to bed.”
“The sun isn’t even down,” said Hilde.
“Yes, but you young people are exhausting!”
They laughed and bid her farewell, but Bryn’s departure didn’t deter Asta from the question. Ravenna almost wanted to follow Bryn—it’d been a long day, and it seemed all the decisions were being made this evening.
“The post can go unfilled for a while. It’s not like Ulrich was at his best lately.” Asta chewed on a hunk of cheese before adding, “But the whole situation will be best managed with a new lord commander.”
“Indeed.” Vallek turned to look at Eydis. He opened his mouth, but before he could say it, Hilde got bodily between him and his sister.
“No.I already hardly see her as it is, she won’t be taking another position.”
Eydis chuckled as Vallek swung his gaze over to Asta.
She shook her head furiously. “Not interested.”
“It would take time away from fucking her way through the barracks,” Eydis teased.
“Exactly. Plus—paperwork.” Asta pulled a face.
