Page 86 of Queen of Thorns
Rai leans back in his chair, arms crossed. “The increased guards have been there for Reveln. The same as the increase in the Frost Court while he and the queen spent time there during their displacement.”
“And around Black Lake?” the Whirling King adds with a flick of his brow.
Rai leans forward, his expression darkening. “How would you know of anything regarding Black Lake, Tommin? You have paid no visits. Where is this information coming from?”
King Tommin doesn’t respond. Rai lifts his chin.
“Don’t think we haven’t noticed you growing so chummy with the new High Heir,” the Flicker Court King says, his tone is misleadingly casual. His eyes tell a different story. “Taking advantage of a young ruler is unseemly, Raijin.”
Rai merely flicks a golden eyebrow. “Befriending a young ruler, however, is not. I don’t know what you think you’ve seen, Midea, that has been inappropriate, but then again your idea of friendship is seducing young fae and forcing them into servitude, so I do suppose I understand where you’d become confused.”
The Flicker King hisses, revealing his elongated canines. Rai merely smiles.
“I have no slaves.”
“No, only a throng of males ready toserveyou at a moment’s notice.”
A few of the rulers chuckle quietly.
“They are quite happy with their roles and able to leave any time they wish.” His sharpened red nails dig into the mahogany table.
Rai smiles again. “Reveln and I are simply friends. Do not make it into some political scheme.”
“It’s always political, Rai,” the Glistening King murmurs solemnly.
“Then, perhaps you should befriend the heir too.”
“I hear all it takes is insulting his Shadow fae ally,” the Flicker King says, his tone much more jovial than moments before. “What was it you called her? The shadow bitch?”
“Ahh, if that’s all it took, then Reveln’s father would be his best-mate,” the Twisted Queen adds.
Chuckles resound through the room, and I shift awkwardly. One part amused, one part horrified at the turn in conversation.
“No, I believe it was the scotch that did it,” Rai says with another wink as he takes a sip of his golden liquid.
“Have I mentioned I hate scotch,” I say with a groan.
There’s a pause, eyes of all colors turning to me in surprise, and then laughter breaks out. Rai, the Flicker King, the Glistening King, and several others are all near tears in their laughter.
I sit there awkwardly as they laugh at our expense. My stomach is still in knots over the events taking place in the courts. But maybe this kind of conversation is usual for the council. They are a group of prideful rulers, after all.
Rai settles, sniffing. “If you want the truth, it turns out it’s shared vulnerabilities that creates friends.”
I smile, muscles easing into a more relaxed state. “And when vulnerabilities are shared,” I add, “and not used against you.”
Rai nods, a small smile on his lips. “Trust.”
“Trust is earned,” the Whirling Court king says as he stands, eyes pinned to mine. “And you have not earned my trust, Heir.”
