Page 28 of Unrivaled
We’d spotted each other once again.
It felt like the missing piece of a puzzle falling into place.Another knot of tension unraveled in my belly.“Knowing the truth of this, I propose we re-negotiate.”
I didn’t direct my words at Uthman.
The real captain set down the tankard in their hand, amusement tugging at the corner of their mouth.“All right, princess,” they said with relish as they stood.“Let’srenegotiate.”
CHAPTERTEN
CHAY
Luis, what's worse; someone Wildharvesting the Glow...or one of our own selling it from under us?—in a letter from High Magelord, Bearer of All, Gautier the First, to the First Guidelord, Luis
15thDay of Winter’s Wife Moon,
Age of the Locways, Year 271
La’Angi Keep
Her hands didn’t shake as she turned the key in the lock of her father’s study.She didn’t tremble when the clockwork sentry glowed a dark brassy copper across the metal band that ran at shoulder height across his door.She hadn’t faltered when Inker Allison had procured a key no one had known about.
She’d do that later.
“Audrey seeks entry,” she said, the words slow and clear.
The tumblers in the lock stayed silent, the glow continuing.
Behind her, we all waited, Thomas a slab of human-shaped rock, Isolde perfectly poised, and Brian glancing up from the tome in his hands with a frown.
The only people I knew who could afford that level of security spell were Darrius and Kadan, and I’d never thought twice about it because I’d been spelled for entry on both.
The Duke, of course, would not allow his only child unsupervised entry into his study.
Her shoulders rose softly with a deep, indrawn breath.She held it in.I held mine, too, before letting it out slowly.The noise from the keep filtered up to us while the metal continued to glow.
“He must need to manually permit you access,” Brian said, sounding confused.
Audrey just waited, her head bowed.I hated that stillness.
There were plenty of watching-spells the Butcher could be viewing at that moment.If I’d known what glass or crystal or metal device the foci for such a spell might be, I would’ve stared straight into it.I wanted nothing more than to spit in that man’s face.
She’s your only child.
She deserved better.
Nearby, Brian shifted his weight and cleared his throat, glancing around.The contract they’d re-drawn with therealcaptain all hung on her ability to use her family seal.Brian had been so confident it’d be a simple matter—just picking up an item from another room, really—that I hadn’t thought twice about it.Why would I?I’d been distracted by the Captain’s unsubtle admiration of Audrey, and figuring out if Audreyknewwhat was happening and was ignoring it…or had no idea that the Captain wanted her.
The pirate and I had a bit in common, it would seem.Earlier, that had seemed like a fun thing to discuss with Audrey.
Now, she stood, shoulders bent, hands clasped, eyes on the ground.
I hated it.
Tumblers clicked into place and the glow vanished, leaving a bright band of gold across my eyes.The Duke, in his infinite wisdom, had found her request to access the room agreeable.I caught myself grinding my teeth.
“Did it…?”
Audrey ignored Brian’s hesitant question, opening the door and stepping into the Duke’s room.She was pale, her movements crisp, as if she were aware of every fiber of her being.The semi-familiar scent of a man I didn’t need to know to understand washed over me.
