Page 67 of Poisoned Kingdom
‘What topic of conversation prevents you from sharing your name . . . or face? A word of warning, before we talk,’ she said, pointing at the armed man observing us from a distance, ‘we may be alone, but I am not unguarded.’
I got to the point. ‘I’m looking for my Viper. If you’ve helped her escape, this House, and all of its pleasures, will be erased from the city while you watch from my dungeons.’
My words were followed by the sharp snap of her closing fan. Liliana stood up, the colour draining from her face, though that was the only sign of her fear.
‘What do you want from her, Your Majesty?’
‘Find some other name to address me by when I’m wearing this mask. If I’d wanted my presence known, I would have arrived surrounded by guards. Roksana—I want her whereabouts, that’s all.’
‘Sana is resting, Wolf,’ she said. ‘If you wish to see her, I can ask her to visit you tomorrow.’
Our standoff was attracting some attention, with several entertainers exchanging glances and making a flurry of unusual gestures. I recognised the language of those born without hearing; using it in this place was a touch of genius. None of the clients seemed to notice, but I saw several people moving closer.
‘Please sit down, Madam. Neither of us wants to see your staff get hurt over such a minor issue. Perhaps you could reassure them as well? Surely, in this profession, you’ve learned how to handle difficult clients.’
Liliana gave the staff one of her famous smiles, her free hand moving in a similar way to the entertainers’.
I need to use this in the army,I thought, impressed by how effective their silent communication was.
Once she was sitting comfortably, I pressed for the truth.
‘Now tell me why you’re lying and surrender Roksana’s location.’
Liliana’s hands tightened on the armchair, her knuckles turning white. She looked away, focusing on the stage where two acrobats were performing a complicated balancing act.
‘I know you think the worst of her, but Roksana is a good person. She came back to keep me safe, and you want me to betray her?’ she said without looking at me, but a disdainful smirk tilted the corner of her lips. ‘If you feel the need to intimidate a whore with your power, so be it. I can establish another brothel, but a friendship like hers is more precious than any money I could earn. All I’m willing to do for you is deliver a message to Roksana that you want to talk.’
I nodded, admiring the quiet courage of a woman willing to put loyalty above her safety. However, her passive resistance and the absence of a certain poisoner after I’d just threatened her friend confirmed that Sana wasn’t in the building. Luckily, Liliana’s covert glances towards the entrance told me she expected my Viper to return soon.
‘I’d prefer speaking with her today, so we’ll wait, and hope Roksana’s friendship is as strong as you insist,’ I said, picking up the absinthe and swirling the green liquid before emptying it, grimacing at the bitter burning in my throat. ‘Know this, Madam: If she doesn’t turn up by midnight, I’ll see if locking up another of her friends will hasten her return.’
‘Of course, my lord. I expect no less. I can even lend you a dungeon. It is always available to my discerning clients.’
Lily’s reaction to my threat made it difficult to maintain a menacing presence, and after a moment of silence, I asked, ‘What does this mean . . . my choice of drink?’
‘It means you want to experience the touch of green fae. It leaves you helpless, unable to move or speak, while pleasure is taken from you. Some like to be used that way, but I rarely approve the request, and you were brought here to hear my refusal.’
‘Oh . . .’
My fumbled response brought a smirk to her face, and we both fell silent. Studying her regal poise, I noticed the moment she spotted Roksana, her eyes widening ever so slightly. It was her hands, however, that really gave it away.
At Liliana’s small, covert gesture, a woman slipped away, rushing up the stairs to whisper in the poisoner’s ear before gesturing for her to go upstairs. I half expected Roksana to flee, but she snapped her head up, her face thunderous, and strode down the stairs towards us.
‘I believe I’ve found what I was looking for,’ I said.
Liliana followed my gaze, muttering a curse when she saw Sana marching towards us.
The courtesan moved to intercept her friend, but I wanted to see what Roksana would do next.
‘Please return to your seat, Madam,’ I said, placing my hand on her shoulder just as the heavy curtains moved and Sana walked in.
My Viper’s pupils dilated at my gesture, causing me to snap my hand away and snatch Roxana’s fist just before she could throw something at me.
‘What the fuck you think you're doing?’ she asked, pulling free from my grasp and pushing between me and Liliana.
‘Sana, no—’
‘Lily, leave. You’ve entertained this patron long enough,’ Roksana said, and I wholeheartedly agreed with the sentiment.
