Page 153 of A Queen's Game
“But could magic be used to break in? For example, what if I were to say someone trails us as we speak?”
He glanced at her again, biting the inside of his cheek. “Magic can’t break through, and no one is following us. Perhaps you’re feeling paranoid.”
“That may be true, but what if someone were? I thought Enomenoans didn’t use magic.”
“They don’t.”
“So if the Enomenoans don’t use magic, and if someone was trailing me by magical means, they would be from Syllogi, correct?” she asked, pretending to pick fuzz off her dress. It was a trick she picked up from her husband, who has mastered the art of disinterest.
“Yes, all the Syllogi city-states have magic where Enomenos does not.”
“Of course, that includes Satiros as well? I would assume we possess ways to spy.”
“Valeriya, is there a reason you’re questioning me on this?” Keyain said with a sigh, dropping her title.
“Oh, just in case. One could never be too sure. I feel safer knowing that such defenses are in place. That means if I were being followed, it would be by you or Wyltam.” Keyain glanced at her again, realization setting in on his features. “Of course, neither of you has a sound reason to treat a queen as such,” Valeriya said, smirking as Keyain looked away, nostrils flaring. She could play this game with him all day.
The path they walked down led to the Glass Gardens, the lofty doors opening to the Glass Garden. Keyain stopped and turned to face Valeriya.
“You know Wyl. If he wanted information from you, he would ask directly,” Keyain said, dropping her arm from his and bowed. “But I apologize. I have somewhere to be, my Queen.”
Valeriya brought her hand to her chin as Keyain walked away. The confirmation had been obvious in his expression—Wyltam was on to her. She needed to hasten her plans.
Valeriya hadn’t met privately with Gyrsh in quite a few months, not since the Chorys Dasians arrived. She had decided it was safer to distance themselves in order to draw less attention to their plans. However, if Wyltam or Keyain were having her followed, then it was time to move. She only needed to give the word.
As Valeriya stepped into Gyrsh’s suite, the minister’s gaze took in the low cut of her dress and her neck elongated by her hair, neatly pulled back. “Hello, Gyrsh,” she murmured as the door closed behind her, offering him her hand.
He caught it, thumbs brushing over her knuckles. “Hello, my Queen,” he said, bringing her hand to his mouth for a kiss.
She ignored the disgust that rose in her stomach. The male was as vile as Syllogian males come; yet, he was useful. The more he believed there was a chance for him to hold Valeriya’s favor, the more compliant he would be. The male foolishly thought an affair was a real possibility, that Valeriya would make him her secret lover and rise with her power after their plan was brought to fruition. Perhaps he got the idea from Keyain. After all, it was his secret affair with Wyltam’s mother, late Queen Olytia, that got him his position. When she had heard the rumor, she hadn’t waited a moment to share it with Gyrsh.
Gyrsh offered his arm, and she placed a hand on top for added effect. The golden tone in his brunette hair shone brighter against the navy of his shirt. Did he purposely choose Reyila’s colors? She bit back a laugh. Gyrsh was trying too hard.
In the living room, he opened his liquor cabinet, turning to her. “What would you prefer, my Queen?”
“Just Valeriya,” she said, leaning back into the couch, “for tonight at least.” A slow smile spread across his handsome face, the one so similar to Elyse’s that it was unnerving. If someone had told her they were siblings, Valeriya would have believed them. “And a whiskey, please.”
His brows rose in surprise. “Of course, though I have a rare bottle of wine set aside if you’d prefer that.”
Which meant he had planned to drink it. Valeriya could have laughed, knowing the male hated his whiskey. “Kind of you to offer, but I’m looking forward to thebite.” A smirk came to her face, pulling Gyrsh deeper into her web.
With a grin tugging at his lips, he poured the drinks and sat down across from Valeriya, his honey eyes locked onto her. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company this evening? It’s unlike you to make such last-minute visits.”
Valeriya shifted, crossing and uncrossing her legs, letting her dress’ slits show their length. “With this new privacy of yours—” she gestured to the surrounding suite “—I figured we could discreetly go about our business.”
“And what business would that be?” As he brushed back his shoulder-length hair, he took a sip of his liquor, his sultry expression hardening with the alcohol’s bite.
Valeriya fought a smirk. Toying with Satiroan ministers would never grow old. “Well, there are a few things but some will have to wait until later.” Gyrsh did nothing to hide his gaze roaming over her. Valeriya wanted to laugh, to roll her eyes at his obliviousness to her teasing. “But I’m being followed.”
Gyrsh spat out his whiskey, looking wide-eyed at Valeriya. “What do you mean, followed?”
“Keyain and Wyltam have grownsuspicious.A mage is trailing me.” She sat up straighter, letting the seduction subside. “It’s time to go.”
“They’re not ready,” he pleaded, running a hand through his hair. “Are you sure they have someone trailing you?”
“Keyain just as much as confirmed it this afternoon.”
Gyrsh swore, throwing back the rest of his whiskey, not bothering to hide his expression of disgust.
