Page 116 of House of Dusk
Sinoe hesitated, glancing to Yeneris. As of yet, she’d said nothing about their plan to restore the kore, or Yeneris’s true identity. Which was lovely and considerate, but Ichos was no fool. He must see the gaps in their story. She felt his gaze weighing on her even now.
“And why do you keep looking at your bodyguard like that?” he asked Sinoe. “What’sherstake in this?”
Yeneris kept her face a mask. “It’s my job.”
“It’s your job to keep my sister safe. Not to help her stage a coup. You must know Father and Lacheron would have rewarded you if you went to them with any of this.”
She almost laughed at the absurdity of it. But Ichos was watching her too closely, too carefully. The chill in her belly slid up her chest, into her throat. She had trusted Sinoe with her secret. With her mission. But could she trust Ichos?
Maybe not. But he’d sworn by the Fates that he was with Sinoe. And Sinoe was with Yeneris. She was as certain of that as her own heartbeat.
And when it came down to it, the prince could be useful. They would need help to plan the kore’s rescue. Information on what protections would be in place, what route would deliver the kore to the wedding. Ichos could get them that information.
Still, it took Yeneris a long moment to drag air into her lungs. To shape the words. “I’m here to reclaim the kore’s bones and return them to Bassara.”
Ichos’s brows arched. “You’re a spy?”
Sinoe made a shushing gesture. “She’s myfriend, Ichos. And if you’re going to keep your vow to stand with me, then I expect you to stand with Yen too. Because she’s...important to me.” A slight flush deepened Sinoe’s cheeks. “And she’s right. The Maiden—the kore—needs to go home. It’s my fault she was taken in the first place.”
“It was Lacheron,” Yeneris growled, “twisting true prophecy into his own lies.”
Ichos rubbed his temples wearily. “All right, let me see if I have this straight. Not only are we denouncing Father as the Ember King, now we’re also stealing his bride?”
“Not stealing,” said Yeneris. “She was stolen. We’re bringing her home.”
“And without her, Father has one less thing to legitimize him,” added Sinoe.
“And then what?” asked Ichos. “What’s the end goal? Cast Father down and take his place?”
“It would be you, not me, little brother,” said Sinoe. “I already serve the Fates. I can’t be queen. But that’s putting the cart before the horse. Right now the most important thing is stopping Lacheron. And setting things right with the kore,” she added, looking to Yeneris.
“But stop Lacheron from doingwhat, exactly?” asked Ichos.
Yeneris thought of the voice that they had heard, speaking in that strange and alien tongue. The one Lacheron called lord. How a single touch of the unseen power had nearly toppled her.
Judging by Sinoe’s expression, her thoughts had followed a similar track. “Lacheron said he was going to break the cycle. That the gods would rule no more and that the world would belong to...to whatever that horrible voice was.”
“As it was always meant to be,”quoted Yeneris. Ever since that night, she’d been twisting and turning the words. Trying to make sense of what they’d seen. She ground her teeth. She should have made Mikat listen. But the woman was so fixed on her own goals.
“And remember this lovely bit of prophecy?” said Sinoe. “Long has the old enemy watched and waited. Now he seeks to strike his second blow, and the world will not survive it.We all know what the Ember King is famous for.”
“Killing the Serpent,” said Yeneris. “The god-beast of death.”
Sinoe rolled up from the couch and began to pace. “But now the Serpent is coming back, and it sounds like he’s nothing but a distraction to Lacheron. I mean, yes, he sent you after them, Ichos, but he can’t have expectedyouto destroy one of the gods.”
Ichos huffed. “So much for sisterly loyalty.”
“Pff. You know how good you are, you don’t need me to fan your pride. Though, speaking of which, did you know Hura is back? And he asked about you. I think he missed your spear. In the sparring ring.” She lunged away, snickering, as Ichos tossed a pillow at her, but the laugh turned into a groan. “Fates. It’s just...too much. Every time I think we’ve got some inkling of all the moving parts, another one just pops in.”
Yeneris cleared her throat. “Er.”
Sinoe stopped pacing. “What?”
“There’s...something I need to tell you.” Yeneris glanced toward Ichos, who was just pouring a fresh cup of very hot tea. He arched a brow back at her. “But before I do, I swear by the kos, by the Fates, that I won’t do it.”
“Do what?” asked Sinoe.
“Kidnap you.”
