Page 184 of Unrivaled
It wasn’t until I was in the feast hall, saying polite words over the winners and handing out buckles, that I saw Chay, eye to eye.He’d washed up and looked pretty much like he did any day—like he’d be happy to go for a ride, and willing to catch a hilt tossed his way and join me to train.
Never once had I wondered what would happen to Chay if I fell.
I already knew.
The polite words had dried up.He looked at me, holding the buckle with the swords on it, his bright blue eyes patient.
“It doesn’t matter what the occasion is,” I said, slowly.“I never feel like I have quite the right response for you, sir.Everything is trite, or simple.”
“I like simple, my lady,” he said.“I know you value accuracy, and I appreciate that, but simple gets things done, sometimes.”
That was all we needed to do, was get this done.He didn’t care about the buckle, and I didn’t care about the pleasantries.On the cycle went, and us with it, through the feast and finally to the ball.
I’d gone for bold fashions since the tourney started—and in the lead up, too.I’d avoided out and out scandalous designs until tonight, though.
Finally, when I walked in, they didn’t flock to meet me.The ones who were disgusted took themselves out of my path.Oh, they whispered, and I let them.The ones who just wanted a trail of blood to follow discussed strategies to strike.
Those who were unafraid, who saw me as something other than a rich heiress,theystepped forward.I was finally able to have a series of semi-rewarding conversations, progress a number of outstanding issues and double-check a few final pieces of information.
None of that mattered when I saw my favorite captain appear from behind a pillar, silver goblet in hand and dressed as finely as any of us.They were holding a lively conversation with a man I recognized as one of Kadan’s.I hadn’t had a lot to do with him, but I knew him for a merchant.
They should’ve been gone.
The fear nestled up behind my ribs like a bellyful of bubbles you couldn’t move.I glanced at the two people before me, an older couple who dealt in wools and furs, but also had some interesting ideas on buildings.I had no idea what we’d been discussing before Elnyta caught my eye.
“Apologies,” I said to them both, shaking my head a little.“I’ll need to catch up with you both anon.”
How they reacted I didn’t notice nor particularly care.No one reached out to touch me as I crossed the floor now, no good-natured taps to the shoulder, nor a quick nudge and murmured comment.
Being a kraken was lonely, but it was also efficient.
Elnyta saw me coming and stopped, one thumb hooked into the beautiful grey belt at their waist—that looked like it’d cost more than all the boots on their crew—their hair braided and tidied to reveal the places they’d shaved it away from their ears and the designs inked into their skin.
It was less than one day since I’d had them whispering my name in reverence as they fucked me.
They’dpromised.
“Pardon us,” I told Kadan’s man, who’d already stepped back when he saw me coming.
Elnyta offered me their arm.I took it, leading them toward one of the small halls that had a number of drawing rooms coming off it.
I closed the door behind us firmly.
“I’m going on the midnight tide,” they told me, holding their hands up in a gesture of peace.“I got an invite, and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see my queen holding court.You look…” They paused, their eyes running over me.I hesitated, my objections suddenly seeming unfair.Theyweregoing?“You look ferocious.”
“I am.”I had to be.
“I know.”They smiled, walking over to me and setting down their glass.“I’m glad they do, too.”They leant on the door beside me.“That is exceptionally gorgeous fabric, sweet thing.Someone who loves you very much must’ve given it to you.”
I didn’t comment on their gorgeous belt, though I suspected I could’ve said the same.I caught them in my arms, planting my hands on either side of their head.“Why are you here?”And why did they look like someone else?
“I told you.”They lifted their chin, offering their mouth to me.“I’ve heard you nobles get up to all sorts of debauchery at these events.I thought I’d come, make sure you got your fill.”
The bubbles in my chest had started to fade.They kept on laughing at me.
“You promised you’d leave,” I reminded them.
“I will.”
