Page 190 of The Call of Crimson
That has the entire room, with the exception of the queen, laughing. It’s true, we are insufferable. Eventually, our laughter catches, and the corner of her mouth quirks up in the faintest smile.
Hours later, we’re seated around the table when Rowina slaps a deck of playing cards in the center. “I thought we could start a new tradition, or rather incorporate an existing one from our new family members, this year.”
My face lights, the corners of my mouth tilting upward into a smile.
“I didn’t have time to collect a bunch of sweets like you told me about,” she explains, setting two trays of leftover cookies in front of us. “But I figured this would do.”
“So, we’re playing cards… and wagering cookies?” Charlotte asks.
“Yes,” Aurelius and I answer as one, pure joy in our reply. Perhaps he is as desperate for a glimpse of home as I am.
“It seems childish,” the queen muses.
“That’s the fun of it,” I explain. “It’s far more entertaining to wager sweets over real coin.”
The queen doesn’t seem convinced.
“One year, Breyla stole a flask of rum and got so drunk she fell into the middle of the desserts, smearing key lime pie all over her leg.” Aurelius’ eyes shine with mischief. “That was actually the highlight of the evening.”
“First, I was fifteen and had never been drunk before. Second, it wasElijahwho stole the rum,” I say, ticking off the numbers with my fingers. “And third, it wasyourrum. So really, this one’s on you.”
Baffled faces stare at me until finally, Charlotte says, “That logic doesn’t track. If anything, you should blame Elijah.”
“Elijah will forever remain blameless in her eyes,” Aurelius grumbles.
I shove him playfully. “Hush, that’s not true.”
Deciding this battle isn’t worth fighting, Aurelius changes the topic. “What about the top wager? Usually, we each gather what we think will be the most decadent dessert to use as our ‘all in’ bet.”
“What about a favor?” Rowina suggests.
“A favor could work,” I agree.
A wicked glint shines in every eye at the table, even the queen’s.
“A favor it is,” Ayden declares before dealing the first hand.
Several rounds later, I slam the cards on the table, yelling a triumphant “Ha!” at Ayden, calling him on his bluff.
With a deep chuckle, he says, “What a clever girl you are.”
My body stiffens at his words, a rush of familiarity pebbling the skin on my neck.
Aurelius narrows his eyes. “What’s wrong, Breyla?”
Ayden gives me a questioning look, gathering the cards to shuffle them. “You okay?”
“You know, there was something that struck me as odd about the conversation I had with my father’s ghost,” I start.
“Wait,” Aurelius interrupts. “You spoke with Ryanor’s ghost, too?”
I snap my attention to him, a brow arching. “Are you telling me you also spoke with my father’s ghost?”
“Do you have a lot of ghosts in Rimor?” Rowina asks.
“No, not many,” I reply, fixing my gaze back on Aurelius. “When was this? What did he tell you?”
“A few weeks after you arrived at court. He asked me to protect you, told me he was murdered, and that he suspected Lord Seamus was behind it. What did he tell you?”
