Page 85 of The Court of Secrets
My eyebrows furrowed. Did I have a plan to meet him? Not that I didn’t want to see him, but I’d made no time to see him today.
She pulled away. “He received a letter late last night.”
I inhaled deeply. We had returned to the castle under the cover of night after I’d killed Vahaga. He’d taken my robes to burn, which were coated in Vahaga’s blood. I’d returned to bathe, then passed out as soon as my head hit the pillow. “A letter from whom?”
Her forehead wrinkled. “Kiros.”
My stomach dipped. “Why would he be writing to Blaise?”
“You should ask him.”
***
The fire hissed when Blaise stabbed the poker between charred logs. They finally settled and crackled, emitting a warmth that pushed against the cold draft seeping into the office. The head of the anumi had finally been taken down. I didn’t want any reminders of the man who called himself my father.
Blaise sat back in the chair, kicking his legs up on the table, and swirled a glass of scotch in one hand. In the other, he waved a letter.
I rolled my eyes at his boyish grin. “Are you going to give it to me?”
“It was addressed to me, love.”
“Really?” I looked at him deadpan. “I know it’s from Kiros.”
“Patience is a virtue, you know.”
“Now is not the time for games.”
He smirked. “I’ll give it to you when you’re calm.”
Naturally, it made me the opposite of calm. “Blaise!”
He took a swig of his drink, breathed in the scent of the brown liquid, and let out a moan. “You do all have the best scotch.”
“I swear, if you don’t hand over the letter…”
He furrowed his brows, but the amusement in his eyes glistened. “It’smyletter.”
“I see someone woke up in a playful mood.”
He took his time finishing his drink and placed the glass on the table. I repressed the urge to grab it from his fingers. Finally, he unrolled the parchment and began announcing in a regal voice not his own. “Dearest His Majesty, King Blaise Lazarus of the Kingdom of Niferum.” He grinned, and I rolled my eyes. “I am delighted,” he said, “to learn of the proposed peace between Berovia and Magaelor. As Niferum is a neutral kingdom, we would be honored if you would host us at your court.” He raised his eyebrows, giving me an amused look. “While we hold meetings with Magaelor and the head of the kingdom.”
Heat flushed my body. “He wrote to you first.”
“Head of the kingdom,” he said, repeating the informal title as he dragged his finger over the words. “He doesn’t like you much.”
“You know why he doesn’t.”
He placed his free hand over his heart. “Ah, the bitter sting of heartache.”
I shrugged. “I had no choice.” I paused for a moment. “Are you going to tell him yes?”
His eyebrows pulled downward. “I want to see what he will offer me first. I’ve sent back a proposal with my term.”
“What terms?”
“Term. One thing.”
“Which is?”
