Page 21 of The Warrior Priest
“Have you met him?” I asked. “The new prince?”
Rhys shook his head. “He’s not in Tilting yet. Master Tomaj and I were summoned to the castle, along with the high priest and a few nobles who happened to be in the city. We were informed that King Alain’s grandson was found and that he was of age.”
“Everyone simply believed it?”
“There was proof.” He studied me. “You don’t want there to be an heir?”
“Of course I do, but… I suppose it doesn’t matter.” I leaned closer and kept my voice low. “At least now there’ll be someone to petition about the governor’s overreaching powers.”
The serving woman brought me a tankard of ale and placed another in front of Rhys. Then she slid onto his lap and looped her arms around his neck.
He stood quickly, dislodging her. Despite his inebriation, he caught her before she fell on the floor. He cleared his throat. “Sorry.”
The serving woman thrust a hand onto one hip. “You’re no fun anymore. Thank the goddess for Andreas.”
Rhys indicated the tankard. “I didn’t order that.”
“It’s from your admirer.” She jutted her chin at a woman two tables away.
Even seated as she was, I could tell the woman was tall, even for a Glancian. But where Glancians were usually fair-haired, she had the glossy black locks and flat features of a native to Dreen, the kingdom to the west. She was also strikingly beautiful.
Giselle, I presumed.
Rhys showed no surprise. He must have already known she was here. He picked up the tankard. I expected him to send it back, but instead, he saluted her with it. Then he drained it.
She watched him, openly admiring. When he finished, she crooked her finger, beckoning him. He crossed his arms over his chest and remained seated.
She laughed and turned back to her companion.
Vizah, who’d come up behind Rhys, clapped him on both shoulders. “Giselle’s back.”
“Nothing gets past you,” Rufus said.
“What’s she doing here?”
“What do you think?”
Vizah considered it a moment then glanced at Rhys. “Ohhhhh.”
“She’s probably here for work,” Rhys growled.
“So you haven’t seen her since her return?” Rufus asked.
Rhys sank in his seat and concentrated on the inside of his tankard.
“Is she the reason you’ve been acting strangely lately?” Vizah asked him.
Rhys shot him a flinty glare.
Rufus rolled his eyes. “Idiot,” he muttered.
“Who’s an idiot?” Andreas asked. He pulled up another chair, turned it around, and straddled it. “Let me guess. Is it Vizah?”
Vizah stiffened. “Why would you think it’s me?”
“Experience.” Andreas clinked his tankard against Rufus’s.
Vizah scowled. “I just wanted to know if Rhys is acting strangely lately because his former lover is back in Tilting.”
