Page 86 of A Court So Dark
Fervently? Really?
I made as if to gag myself. “I see. Well, that is kind of him to invite us. I never imagined he would be so considerate.”
Arabis pressed her lips together to restrain a laugh.
I served myself tea and bit into a cookie. It wasn’t half bad, much better than anything they’d served last night for dinner. I couldn’t place the main flavor, but it was sort of minty.
“What shall we do with our free time?” I mused.
She shrugged.
“I guess I’ll talk to Father. He may have some ideas. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind staying in, reading a book. I’m tired from so much travel.”
“Not a bad idea, my lady.”
I mimed drinking one of Naesala’s potions and pointed at a clock on the wall, trying to indicate that staying in would buy us additional time—not to mention that I would get to stay in my body. She nodded, seeming to understand.
Taking my teacup and another cookie, I gestured toward the door. “I think I’ll propose that to Father.”
Catching on, Arabis went to the door and peeked into the hall. Once she made sure the coast was clear, she waved me ahead, and we slunk to Kalyll’s room. Jeondar was there. He’d brought a similar tray with the same cookies for Kalyll, but he hadn’t touched them. He was pacing, appearing worried.
“We should inform the others of this hunting party,” he said.
Jeondar nodded. “I agree. We might have an opportunity against Mythorne. If he gets separated, we could ambush him.”
“Ambush him? What are you talking about?” I said. “We have a plan. We should stick to it.”
Kalyll frowned. “The longer we stay under Mythorne’s roof, the more likely we are to be discovered.”
“So far he’s buying the ruse. We have enough elixir for another day. Maybe more if we don’t take a new batch until it’s time to meet him later today.”
“I’m worried our plan won’t work,” Kalyll admitted. “He is too distrustful, so if we have an opportunity out there, we will take it. Inform the others to be ready.”
“You don’t trust that I can get it done.” I set my teacup on the untouched tray.
“It isn’t that.”
“You don’t sound so convincing.” I stopped right in front of him and glowered.
He held my gaze.
I narrowed my eyes, unblinking.
“All right,” he broke our staring contest. “I’m worried that if you actually manage to get close, he will hurt you. We don’t know what magical powers he possesses.”
“For all we know he has none.” I threw my hands up in the air, frustrated. “We’ve already been through this.”
“Yes, we have been through this, and we concluded that he’s likely very powerful based on what his son could do. You do remember all the people he killed in Elyndell?”
“Fine! Risk the others, but I will continue trying to get close to him.”
“Daniella, perhaps you should stay here and not risk going hunting.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“Well, you have no idea how to shoot a bow and arrow.”
“And you don’t know how to kill someone with a single touch. I’m going.”
