Page 22 of Silver & Smoke
‘You’ve done enough drinking today. I came here for information, not the Pendeltons’ poor excuse for liquor or endless swathes of tulle.’
‘As you wish,’ Darian conceded.
‘So, tell me, son, how goes the new bride-to-be?’
‘She’s malleable enough,’ Darian replied thoughtfully. ‘A life in a warrior’s fortress does not a queen make... but there’s potential. As soon as she’s in my bed, I’ll have her ear, among other things.’
Torj’s fists instantly clenched, but when he glanced at Wren, she didn’t seem surprised or angered by the insult. She had heard it before, had perhaps even formed the wording herself. What had she said to him earlier?
This is strategy, not a surrender.He had assumed it was to get some sort of cure for him from Lucian... Never in his wildest dreams had he suspected Darian to be in on the plan.
‘Good,’ Lord Lucian replied. ‘You will need to guide her to make the right decisions.’
‘Of course.’
The clinking of glass sounded again as Lord Lucian made himself a drink after all. ‘And the Bear Slayer? Is he going to be an issue for us?’
‘I shouldn’t think so. You remember him, Father. All muscle, no brains.’
‘He watches too closely. And I saw how he looked at the storm wielder at Drevenor. His infatuation with her is plain for all to see.’
‘As it should be,’ Darian countered. ‘It makes her desirable, makes her a prize that even a Warsword cannot obtain. The fact that I have her hand, that she wearsourring, shows just how powerful the Devereuxs are.’
Despite Wren’s calmness at his side, Torj’s blood was boiling as the two noblemen spoke of his soul-bonded as though she were nothing more than chattel.
‘As we rightfully are,’ Lord Lucian was saying. ‘It’s high time that the royals’ and Warswords’ influence came to an end... I must admit, you’ve impressed me, Darian. First by dealing so swiftly with Perseus Graymoor and his underlings—’
Torj’s gaze shot to Wren as he remembered the body being carriedout of the ball at Lord Hullet’s manor. The nobleman he’d accused Wren of poisoning.
Wren offered a satisfied smirk as if to say,I told you so.
‘And now with the heir of Delmira... An inspired idea to marry into magic,’ Lord Lucian said as he sipped his drink.
‘Perhaps I learned from the best after all, Father,’ Darian replied, still twisting his signet ring.
As ever, Lord Lucian withheld his full approval, always keeping his son on the hook. ‘We’ll see if you pull it off yet. What are the next steps?’
Darian tucked his hands behind his back and started to pace. ‘With Lord Briar and Lord Pendelton’s bannermen, we’ll have ample incentive for the royal armies to join. We should meet them on the mainland and march on Delmira. The more swiftly we reclaim the kingdom, the better. Its resources will be ours, its lands ours to divide among whom we choose, and with Elwren’s storms to defend it, Delmira will be the heart of a whole new era for the Devereux dynasty.’
With his rage on the verge of choking him, only Wren’s hand on Torj’s arm stopped him from bursting through the curtains and strangling a Devereux bastard with each hand.
‘I look forward to it,’ Lord Lucian said with a note of dismissal. ‘I’ll expect updates along the way, with a full report upon your return.’
‘Of course,’ Darian replied smoothly. ‘Can I interest you in—’
‘I’ll see you when you’re back,’ Lord Lucian cut him off, another trait that was familiar to Torj. Everything always ended on the older man’s terms.
A moment later, the door clicked closed, and after another moment, the lock turned.
‘That,’ came Darian’s voice, ‘was incredibly stupid of you both.’
It was Wren who pulled back the curtain first. ‘I know,’ she said. ‘I was reckless—’
But Torj surged past her, grabbing Darian by the throat andlifting him bodily from the ground. ‘I told myself the next time I saw you I’d kill you—’
‘Torj!’ Wren hissed, pulling at his arm as the nobleman wheezed beneath his crushing grip. But Torj didn’t want it to be over too quickly. He shoved Darian against the nearest wall, bracing his forearm against the prick’s windpipe. He’d savour the bastard’s death and then he’d smile down on his pulverized body—
‘Torj!’ Wren kept her voice down, but her urgency was palpable as she clawed at his arm. ‘Let him go!’
