Page 43 of Thorn Season
I drew a deep breath and Keil tensed, preparing for the strike.
“You must excuse me, Ambassador.” My voice held steady. “I’d imagined someone rather different.”
Keil blinked. Then his chest sank with relief.
“Oh, we’d all expected a gnarled-looking fellow in robes!” Carmen said with a flourish. “Aren’t we lucky to have gotten him instead?”
“Very lucky,” Erik said dryly.
I straightened, regaining my composure. “Arcus, was it?”
“Keil Arcus, my lady.” He flashed a charming smile, the chandelier glow threading highlights through his gold-brown hair. “I must admit, you also differ from my imaginings.”
“Oh?”
His fingers brushed mine, and he raised my hand for a kiss. “You’re even lovelier than the whispers claim.”
The words were smooth, the performance flawless. He had nerve, I’d give him that.
“Careful, Ambassador,” Carmen teased while Keil was still lifting my hand. “My cousin loathes to share. But I’ll happily bear the burden of those compliments.”
Keil paused, gaze sliding to Erik. Though the two were similar in age and height, with Keil being slightly broader, a unique power steeled Erik’s spine—a power greater than any Wielder’s. The power of a king.
And the force of that power was currently directed toward my hand, cradled in Keil’s.
Whether from protectiveness or something more territorial, Erik offered the Wielder a bland smile. Almost daring him.
Keil’s mouth quirked up. “I see.” He lowered my hand withoutfinishing the distance to his lips. But he subtly angled my palm before he released it—to check the thin line of my cut, I realized. Finding the wound almost healed, he stepped back, content. “And which area do you preside over, Lady Alissa?”
“Alissa’s father is the ruling lord of Vereen,” Carmen answered.
“Ah, the gem of Daradon. The most affluent province in the kingdom, I’ve heard.” Keil slipped his hands into his pockets, grinning now. “Although I suspect the person who told me was biased.”
I cocked my head, giving him a pointed look.You want to play this game?I asked silently.Then we’ll play.
“Have you visited?” I asked.
“I can’t say I have.”
“No, I suppose you can’t. I’d invite you to tour my estate, but I’m afraid someone’s been taking an axe to it.”
Keil went rod-still. Erik and Carmen shifted in interest.
“Refurbishment,” I clarified, and the group relaxed.
“That’s unfortunate,” Keil said, more careful now.
“Indeed.” I gave a sharp smile. “I much preferred my parlor the way it was.”
His eyes tightened at the corners. With satisfaction fueling me, I made one last stab.
“Are the others in your party here?” I glanced around, brows high. “I’d love to make an official introduction.”
My words strung a rope around the group, drawing everyone up taut. Keil looked at me like I’d pulled a mace from under my skirts and thwacked it around his head.
“Ambassador Arcus made passage alone.” Erik’s voice held a low, questioning edge. “Those were our terms, were they not, Ambassador?”
“They were, Your Majesty.” Keil held my stare, waiting.
