Page 57 of House of Dusk
“It’s all right, Yen,” said Sinoe. “We came to speak with the queen and here she is. Let’s be good guests.”
Yeneris did not lower her blade. “Arewe guests?” she asked, looking to the queen.
The old woman tilted her head. “For now. I’d like to hear what brings you here.”
“Lies,” said the pale woman. “We can handle them, Melita.”
“Stand down, Lykia.” The queen lifted a hand, and the woman subsided, her lips pressed tight. Yeneris lowered her blade as well. She had a bad feeling about this. Flipping the blade in one hand, she held it out hilt first to Antioc.
“Thank you.” The queen—Melita—continued on, her tone still conversational. “I assume your father doesn’t know you’re here, princess?”
“No,” Sinoe admitted. “I’m here on my own business. And that of the Fates.”
Melita arched a thin gray brow. “Yes, I’d heard you’re a sibyl. Very convenient for your father, to have the Fates anoint his rule.”
“The princess has true power,” said Yeneris. “You should listen to her.”
“I’ve lived quite a long time,” said Melita. “I’m quite curious why the Fates would take an interest in me only now.”
“Because you’re in danger,” said Sinoe, bluntly. “Someone is going to kill you.”
Melita laughed, the same husky rumble that was so dissonant coming from her small, soft body. “My dear girl, I don’t need the Fates to tell methat. I need them to tell me what socks to wear to stop my toes from aching. Or how to convince my granddaughter that just because a man is pretty doesn’t mean he’s worth keeping around. I know, I know, I could just get rid of him, but she’d never forgive me.”
Yeneris watched the two brigands. The man, Antioc, glowered at Sinoe, as if it was her fault. Lykia’s expression was more serene, but Yeneris caught the tap of her fingers against her sword hilt, and the way she was still holding herself on the balls of her feet. Was it only wariness?
Sinoe stood straighter. When she spoke, it wasn’t the otherworldly voice of prophecy, but it was clear and strong and unwavering. “The Queen of Swarms will die by an unseen blow, her hives dripping secret honey into the jaws of the wolf.”
Melita no longer looked amused. “One of my own people?”
Antioc flushed. “It’s not me! I swear it, Melita. Why would I bring the princess to you if I was a traitor?”
An excellent point.
“It’ll be one of those new fellows we brought in last month,” said Lykia. “I’ll go round them up right away. Before word spreads.”
She was stepping back. Starting to turn. Sword still bare. The blade had just begun a neat and fatal arc when Yeneris’s last hidden dagger caught her in the shoulder.
Lykia screamed, dropping her sword. It rattled across the stones, spinning to rest at Melita’s feet. By then Yeneris had slammed into the brigand, one sharp punch to the throat, another to the gut, then a sweeping kick. Lykia slammed to the floor, her head cracking against the stones. She slumped, wheezing and groaning.
Melita had not moved, had barely flinched. But her gaze was like ice. “Antioc,” she said. “See to it.”
The man gathered himself, then went to crouch beside Lykia and began binding her arms.
“You have my thanks,” said Melita, returning her attention to Sinoe and Yeneris. “And my attention. But I suspect there’s something more?”
“Yes,” said Sinoe. “You have some information we need.”
“Then we should speak further. Somewhere more private.”
• • •
Sinoe sank into the plush couch with a deep sigh of contentment. Kicking off her slippers, she curled her legs up beneath her, seeming utterly at peace with the fact that they were now deep in the thief lord’s lair. Yeneris did not sit. She stood beside the arm of the couch, watching as a servant set out a silver carafe and platter of tiny cakes oozing honey from layers of thin pastry. Melita sat across from them, ensconced in a plush couch of her own. She did not speak until the servant had departed, closing the heavy wooden door.
“So,” said Melita. “I am in your debt. But I’m curious what information I could have that you might require. Especially given that you have the Fates to call upon.”
“I can call on them, yes,” said Sinoe. “But they choose whether or not to respond.”
“What can I offer that the Fates cannot, then?” asked Melita.
