Page 86 of Oath of the Wolf
The two Valdari guards assigned to Brynn trailed after them, but Tullia continued speaking in Hyldish.It seemed Tullia was not concerned about Lena overhearing, but then she didn’t seem to be threatened by thralls in general.
Tullia strode a short distance down the beach, Brynn and Cenric following.It was just close enough to the water that the murmur of the waves would muffle their voices.
Snapper and Guin trotted along after them, sniffing at the ground, running ahead and racing back.The dogs seemed perfectly happy.
Turning on her heel, Tullia faced them both.“Quite a mess, isn’t it?”
Brynn thought that was a masterpiece of understatement.
“My father realized he is not as popular as he thinks, and my mother is being blackmailed.My brother caused trouble then made it worse, as usual.”Tullia laughed, shaking her head.“What a day it has been.”
Cenric shifted closer to Brynn.
“You upset my mother, Cenric,” Tullia tsked.“She’s most distraught at the moment.”
Brynn stole a glance to her husband.Was that where he had gone?To see the queen?
Cenric’s entire bearing had gone hard.His jaw locked as he squared his stance, ready for a fight.
“Nothing quite upsets her like threats to her darling boy.”Tullia exhaled a long breath.“I should have known better than to tell her about his latest folly.”
Brynn held onto Cenric.There had to be a point to this.
“I’m curious.”Tullia cocked her head to the side.“Why didn’t you accuse me of poisoning the bitch?”
Brynn felt as if the wrong answer might be fatal, but she dared speak.“Whoever poisoned Gistrid seemed to be guessing.They underestimated the plant both times.”
“And?”
“You would have gotten it right the first time.”It had been a gamble, but it seemed Brynn had been right.
Tullia took in those words for a moment and then she smiled.“I like you, sorceress.”
“What is the point of this?”Cenric demanded.
“I’m here to offer you both a bargain.”Tullia adjusted her sleeves as if bored.“One that gives all three of us what we want.”
Brynn did not like the sound of that.From the way Cenric’s arm pulled her closer against him, neither did he.
“Kill my father.”Tullia’s smile never wavered.“I don’t care how.I don’t care which of you does it but stop the old man’s heart before he brings out the wine at the feast tonight.”
Brynn didn’t believe what she had heard for a moment.“What?”
“You don’t mean that.”Cenric shook his head.“You love your father.”
“I do.”Tullia sounded wholeheartedly sincere.“There is no one in the world I esteem as highly as him.”For barely a moment, a shadow passed over her face, then it was gone.“But I am not as forgiving as my mother is.”
“I saved your father’s life today,” Cenric said, voice rising.“He trusts me.”
“Which gives you an advantage.He’ll never see it coming,” Tullia purred.“Or you.”She pointed at Brynn.“You can kill without lifting a finger, I’ve heard.”
This could be a test of loyalty sent by Ovrek to see if they would betray him.Or this might be a genuine offer and their only chance at escape.Brynn could almost feel the same thoughts radiating from her husband.
“Think on it.”Tullia cocked her head to one side.“I am a good friend to have.When I rule Valdar, you will be glad we are friends.”
Tullia wanted to rule?So, it wasn’t just piety that had turned her against her father.Brynn had suspected as much.Tullia was more experienced and far more competent than her brother.Assuming the Valdari decided to continue having monarchs after Ovrek, Tullia would be a strong contender.Tullia must know this and clearly possessed the ambition to pursue it.
“Ovrek has been good to me,” Cenric countered.“I would have nothing without him.”
