Page 95 of The Chaosweaver's Daughter
Beneath the three letters, none of which were addressed to her, she uncovered a thin publication bound in red. Like so many of her favorite reads, she’d recognize this one anywhere: theMystical Sciences Review.Nes scrunched her nose; this one wasn’t due out for another week or two.
As she flipped the overturned publication, the reason for its early arrival became obvious. The words “Advance Copy”were emblazoned across the front in bold white text.What lists is this man on, and how do I get on them, too?
Nes set the journal back on the mail tray and continued her loop toward the breakfast room. She wasn’t exactly excited for the meal, but the promise of asking to borrow the newly delivered journal lifted her spirits. He’d have to deal with the fact she’d flipped through the post. It was far less intrusive than whathe’ddone.
As she neared the chamber, the scent of fresh bacon and the low rumble of adult voices drifted from beyond the cracked door. She slipped in through the partially opened panel, and Kas and Thera startled from their hushed conversation.
With her hands clasped, Thera stepped away. “Enjoy your breakfast,” she said cheerily with a quick nod at Kas before she ducked out of the room.
“Miss Kiappa.”
“Lord Kahoth.”
He nodded and pulled out a chair for her, the one to his left, as usual.
“I wanted to—”
The door to the breakfast room flew open as Della and Ataht bounded in, side by side, as they were both still slight enough to fit simultaneously.
“Look what we’ve got!” Della screeched through a smile as she flew into her chair.
“What have you got?” Kas reached for the honey, then addressed Nes’s tea as Ataht dug into his pocket.
The boy pulled something out and held it up for inspection. Nes, who’d been distracted by the honey drizzling into her cup and certainly not by the duke’s large hand, glanced over at the prince. A small spotted item wriggled on his palm.
“Oop—” Kas accidentally dropped the dipper, splashing the table. The spotted creature jumped from the prince’s palm, and in a flash, scurried beneath the lip of a plate of honey buns.
“What is that thing?” Nesrina inquired, willing her voice to remain calm as her heart rate skyrocketed. She had limits.
“It’s a newt!” Della beamed.
“Nuh-uh, it’s a salamander,” Ataht corrected, craning his head so it was flat against the table as he peered at the creature beneath the platter.
“Please, release the chaos,” Nesrina said with a smile. “Whichever one of you created this needs to let it unravel.”
Beside her, Kas fished the honey dipper from her tea and went about his business.
“It’s not magic, Miss Kiappa.”
“Yeah, we found it outside,” Della added.
“Nope.Nope. Nope, nope, nope.” Nesrina shoved her chair back, startling Kas, who dropped the dipper again, into his tea this time. The rattling of dishes startled the spotted beastie, which darted out from beneath the plate and zipped toward Nes, alarmingly fast, before taking refuge against the side of her warm teacup. She screamed in an entirely unprofessional manner and pulled her feet up onto the chair, hugging her knees. “Get rid of it. Someone release it.Releaseit, release it—like, let it go, physically, outside!”
The children giggled as the newt/salamander’s tiny tongue darted from its mouth. Nes yelped again. A great booming laugh escaped the duke, surprising all of them, including the wriggly creature, who scurried around to the other side of her cup. One of Kas’s enormous hands flew up to coverhisstupid, tiny mouth.But she heard that laugh, and she saw him crack a smile at her expense.
“Get it out of here!” Nesrina shouted, unable to stop the panic that had overtaken her.
“Now, now. Miss Kiappa, you’re usually so calm and collected—around the twins.” His eyes twinkled. “Are there not newts in the stream and salamanders in the wood?”
“It’s the location!” she shrieked, not in the mood to defend her fears. “They belong in the mushy soil, beneath logs, hiding under rocks. Not on the breakfast table!”
“Have we found theonething that sets you to flailing?”
“Esheb,” she grumbled.
“That means arse,” Ataht whispered to his sister, sending them into further peals of laughter.
Slowly, Kas rose from his seat, scooped up the little salamander, teacup, saucer, and all, and ambled over to the window. He opened it with his air, set the dishes outside, then magically pulled the glass closed. After pulling a cord to ring for the servants, Kas returned to his seat and smirked at Nesrina.
