Page 23 of Poisoned Kingdom
I opened my mouth to speak, but he put a finger on my lips. ‘No, spare me that gutless shit. Whatever your explanation is, we’re family, and family doesn’t disappear like a fucking ghost and then ignore you when they return. If I hadn’t been there when Boyan’s shadow reported to him, I still wouldn’t know.’
He said it all with such accusation in his voice that I lowered my head in shame. There had been a time when Irsha and I were lovers. Those times were long gone, but returning to Truso was making me realise that in my desperation to escape Jagon’s clutches, I’d really hurt those I’d left behind.
‘I didn’t want to put you in a difficult position,’ I said, pulling a loose thread on his shirt to avoid looking him in the eye.
‘I’m the master of the Blades. If anyone has a problem with whom I’m seen with, they can discuss it with my daggers. Sana, look at me . . . Please, sweetheart, look at me,’ he said, waving his hand in front of my nose, making me squint. He smirked at my pouting expression before grasping my chin and tilting it up. ‘I missed you, Nightshade. I missed you so fucking much. Without my troublemaker to cause mischief, the Brotherhood just hasn’t felt like home.’
Irsha’s grip tightened, a frown appearing on his face before he released me, his fingers trailing over the faint fingerprints still visible on my neck. ‘They’re dead, I presume?’ he asked, smiling when I nodded. ‘Good, it’ll spare me searching for the bastards,’ he said, pushing me onto the bed before jumping onto it next to me.
‘You could at least take your boots off,’ I said, rolling my eyes.
He shrugged. ‘Like that ever bothered you before.’
‘Times have changed. I’m a sophisticated woman now, a healer for the dwarven king, and I won’t tolerate a dirty bastard in my bed,’ I said, doing my utmost to keep a straight face.
Irsha turned to the side, his eyes narrowing as he looked at me. Uncertainty flashed in his gaze, as if he was unsure if I wasjoking. Seeing the deadly Blade looking so lost, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
‘You’re an arsehole, Roksana. That certainly hasn’t changed. Fine, maybe I should visit Lily. She’d ask menicelyto remove my clock, boots, and anything else she wanted.’ He lay back with his hands under his head and released a deep, relaxed sigh. ‘Just like the good old days.’
‘Keep Lily out of this,’ I said, swatting his shoulder. ‘Someone will think you’re getting sentimental in your old age, Blade,’ I said, mimicking his posture. ‘Since you’re here, make yourself useful and tell me what’s going on in the Brotherhood. I want to know why Jagon feels bold enough to go behind Boyan’s back.’
‘The usual bullshit. We’re getting ready for a change in leadership. Boyan’s gotten weak; the graveyard cough’s made it hard for him to lead the Brotherhood, so the masters are fighting for his seat. Jagon is leading the race, and my Blades are the only ones resisting.’
‘But the old man’s not dead yet,’ I said, feeling protective of the grand master.
‘No, but he can’t even finish a sentence without coughing up half his lungs.’ Irsha seemed to mull something over before turning towards me. ‘Jagon’s got a backer with enough money to buy out the Mules, and half of the Observers are tempted by the gold being thrown around. I fear I’ll have to bow my head to that bastard soon enough.’
There was a bitterness in his tone that hadn’t been there when I left Truso, and I took a moment to study my first true friend. A web of wrinkles marred the corners of his eyes, making him look tired. Irsha had aged, but worse, he just appeared defeated. I reached out and stroked his cheek.
‘How bad is it?’
‘Bad, Sana. So bad, I wonder whether I made a mistake not following you when you left the Brotherhood,’ he murmured, pressing his cheek into my palm.
‘Then I’ll fix it. I don’t know how yet . . . but I know where to start,’ I said, smiling before pushing him off the bed. ‘Now, shift your arse and go home. Ask the old man to get the Observers off my back. I have places to be, preferably in secret. Oh, and when I officially present myself to the Brotherhood, act as if you’re seeing me for the first time.’
Irsha raised his eyebrow before locking me in another of his famous bear hugs.
‘You’ve barely arrived, and things are already looking up. Are you sure you don’t want me to stay? I’m better at cuddling now, and you could tell me all about the havoc you’ve wrought while you were away,’ he said, grinning.
I swatted him. ‘Go away, you menace—and remember what I said. As for cuddling, you might have gotten better at it, but I bet your snoring’s worse. So off you go, Blade. I choose to sleep alone.’
He rolled his eyes and leapt onto the windowsill. ‘Spoilsport. See you later, Nightshade. Don’t start trouble without me.’
Chapter 10
Roksana
Lily cautioned me not to expect much from the Court of Aether, but after engaging considerable resources to get here, I wasn’t going to give up. Three hours of sitting around waiting while they let everyone else in, and I’d had enough.
‘I swear, if they brush me off again, I’m going to pour rowan tree tincture in their well. Let’s see if they notice me then, between their runs to the privy,’ I muttered, closing my eyes and leaning my head against the cold wall.
‘That wouldn’t be advisable, and would make everyone’s life difficult,’ answered a voice from above.
My eyes immediately snapped open. I hadn’t heard him arrive, but a young man in an ornate kaftan gazed down at me withunbridled amusement. Uneasiness built in my core under his scrutiny, and then I felt it—a gentle hand combing through my memories.
‘Stop that this instant. I didn’t give permission for you to violate my privacy,’ I sneered, realising he was a psychic mage, rudely looking through my mind.
‘Interesting. You blocked me. Most ordinary mages can’t even detect my presence. Who taught you?’
