Page 176 of The Queens and the Kings
Pedr purred a quiet, “Do I?” and met Onskar’s gaze. They clashed, locking in a silent battle of wills that Pedr breathed into with every ounce of fury he contained.
Onskar broke the trance with a smile. “Yes, you do.” He looked to Himmel. “Have you chosen, my dear?”
His words, spoken kindly, held a definitive edge. They took Pedr aback. Himmel said, “You already know my answer, Onskar, but I appreciate your continued attempts to give me the space to change it. I will support neither the Siren Queens nor the Wyvern Kings.”
A flicker of disappointment registered in his glassy stare. He nodded with formality, but any hint of warmth dissipated in his glacial response.
“I see.”
“Do you?” she had the courage to ask.
Onskar’s wide nostrils twitched as he considered her question. “I do, Himmel. I shall miss you. It’s a great regret of mine that escorting you out of your position is coming so quickly. If only Jordaire were in your place instead.”
Pedr fought a laugh. The only thing that he had in common with the Arcanist of Souls happened to be a mutual distaste for Jordaire.
The tone of Onskar’s words made Pedr’s shoulders twitch.It’s a great regret of mine that escorting you out of your position is coming so quickly.Onskar’s five hundred year reign as Arcanist must be approaching very soon, so why did he state it as if hewasn’tleaving?
Onskar’s attention returned to Pedr, drawing Pedr out of his thoughts. If he desired it, Onskar could filet Pedr as easily as a seabass. Pedr tolerated Onskar’s probing stare out of curiosity and deepest irritation.
How could he stop a powerful Arcanist? He couldn’t. Pedr was a child in comparison.
“Your presentation is lackluster and dull, Pedr, which is hardly beyond what I expected from the Arcanist of the Sea, even after a fifteen-year delay. Can’t say that I blame your reticence. Many before you, and many after you, have and shall fear me.” Onskar plucked at the edge of his sleeves, pulling them farther over his wrists. “Now, if you’ll excuse me?—”
Himmel stopped him. “Onskar, I brought Pedr for another reason.”
Onskar grinned with delight. “I know, Himmel. I know you did.” His pandering tone, like a chiding father, tightened her lips into a bunch. To her vast credit, she didn’t back down.
“Please leave Stenberg island,” Himmel said. “A weasel human like His Glory isn’t worth your time.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that, my dear.”
“Why?”
“You see,” he drawled, “it’s complicated. A bit too complicated for this simple crowd.”
He flickered his fingers toward Pedr, who seethed. Pedr balled his hands together, forcing himself to calm by sheer willpower.It’s better to be the underdog,he reminded himself.Underdogs win, too.
Himmel pretended that Onskar hadn’t just insulted Pedr’s deep and material pride. “I understand your hesitation to explain, Onskar. As I understand your allegiance with the Siren Queens. What I don’t understand is what Stenberg has to do with it. There are humans on that island. Innocents.”
Onskar reared back. “What do I care about that?”
“As Arcanist of Souls, I expected you to care a great deal.”
“That is my secret, Himmel.” He waggled a finger in her direction. “The great glimpse into my power. There is nothing so much worth caring about, not even souls. They come, they go. What happens in between is circumstantial. The only waste of my time is coming here. The Siren Queens will have exactly what they desire from Stenberg island with or without the humans. Please, do not be foolish enough to stop them. For your own sake.”
Onskar faded, dissipating to smoke.
Himmel stopped his departure with a desperate cry.
“Wait, Onskar. Please!”
He paused. His sharp stare, the hard lines of his brow, cut an intimidating figure. The impatience in his answering growl cut Pedr deep.
“What?”
She held her breath, a hand elevated. After several heartbeats, her arm lowered. Thoughts whirled through her eyes, slowing into understanding. She shook her head. “No, nothing. Nevermind, I apologize. Thank you. I am happy to have presented Pedr to you, and I hope to see you soon.”
Onskar evaluated her intent. Finding nothing amiss, he said, “My interest in the island is not what you think, my dear. The agreement I have with that pompous wretch of a human is tied to his soul. If he dies, I will evacuate my arcane from the island, for what I have already obtained is sufficient to my . . .other. . . agreements. Rest assured. Whatever ties you have to these humans, there is a chance for them to survive. For now.”
