Total pages in book: 218
Estimated words: 205594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1028(@200wpm)___ 822(@250wpm)___ 685(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 205594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1028(@200wpm)___ 822(@250wpm)___ 685(@300wpm)
He snorts and chugs more wine, scratching at his neck.
I decide I’m going to charm Ajaxi so it hurts more when he’s betrayed. I give him my most coquettish smile and slide a hand over my braid, tugging it toward my cleavage. His gaze goes there automatically and I lean forward. “You must be very close to your brother the king for him to trust you with so much.”
Ajaxi grunts and leans in, his gaze on my breasts. “Truth be told, I’m running things around here—”
Nemeth seats himself between us, clearly not understanding my play. He glares at his brother and ruffles his wings. “Ivornath will be joining us soon, yes?”
“Soon.” Ajaxi shrugs, toying with his wine cup. I flick my braid and give him a sultry smile. “This one seems more pleasant than her sister. I see why you have her in your bed.”
Bastard. It takes all that I have to keep smiling as if his words are a compliment.
“This one is my mate,” Nemeth practically growls.
“Huzzah,” Ajaxi says, smirking. “To a lovely human in your bed. Wine for my brother and his human.”
“Mate,” Nemeth corrects again.
“Oh, no wine for me,” I tell the servant that sets a cup in front of me. “Perhaps milk or water?”
“Are we a toddler?” Ajaxi asks.
I titter with fake laughter, sliding my wine towards Nemeth. “No! But after so long without eating properly, my stomach fusses at strong tastes. You know how it is. I have to be so careful at what I put in my mouth.”
“Is that so,” Ajaxi murmurs. Nemeth puts a hand on my thigh, as if warning me. I ignore it. If Ajaxi truly is in control of things, it’s best for me to get him on my side. I flutter my lashes in his direction and lick my lips. He flicks a hand at a servant. “You heard her. She prefers a…mild mouthful.”
“I don’t want to seem too greedy,” I say coyly, giving Nemeth a teasing look. “But my mate has kept me well fed and my cheeks stuffed—”
“Candra,” Nemeth says in a sharp voice. “Please.”
“Oh, stop,” I say, tapping his arm with my hand. “I’m just trying to get to know your brother. He has my sister, you know. That practically makes us family.” I tilt my head and give Ajaxi a bright look. “How is my darling Erynne? Have you been taking excellent care of her?”
He huffs and rolls his eyes, then returns to drinking.
“Where is Ivornath?” Nemeth asks again.
“Late.” Ajaxi shrugs. “He’ll be along soon. Eat. Drink.”
I sip the milk that a servant brings me. It’s ice cold and creamy, and I nearly moan at how delicious it is. I drink the full goblet and then pluck a sweetened roll from the table. “If he’s anything like Lionel was, he’ll make us wait out here while he lounges in bed.”
Ajaxi laughs at that, perhaps harder than he should have. I pretend to ignore it, nibbling on the food. “Ivornath is indeed lying about. As for your sister, she is…not happy. But political prisoners seldom are.”
“Nemeth and I could use a few servants now that we’ve returned to his home,” I say brightly. “You could give Erynne to me.” I lower my voice and wrinkle my nose. “She would truly hate that, which means it would be quite fun.”
Maybe he’s stupid enough to give Erynne over to me without much fuss, and if that’s the case, he’ll be easy to lead around. Maybe no uprising will be needed.
A servant hands me another goblet of milk, and I lift it to my lips.
“I’m keeping her for now. Though I must say, meeting you, it’s a shame we haven’t talked before now.”
I give him my best I’m-a-hussy smile and lick the milk froth from my lips. “Why is that?”
Ajaxi takes another gulp of his wine and points a clawed finger at me. “I was supposed to be the one sent to the tower to seduce you—”
“Ajaxi!” Nemeth snaps, going stiff beside me. He jumps to his feet.
I stare at the brothers.
Ajaxi lounges in his chair, eyeing me. “Might have been fun to bounce you on my cock. Not at the expense of going to war, but it’s a thought. Instead, they sent this one.” He flicks a hand at Nemeth. “My scholarly brother who refuses to play well with others.”
“Excuse me?” I say, keeping my voice pleasant. “Did you say Nemeth was sent to seduce me?”
“No,” Nemeth hisses, a hand clenched at his side.
Ajaxi just shrugs drunkenly. “Might as well tell her now.” He lifts his chin at me, giving me a knowing look. “It’s true. It was supposed to be me sent to the tower but then…plans changed.” His expression grows vague and he stares into his goblet. “Ivornath made Nemeth go instead. I might have fought harder if I knew a prime tart like you was going to be there.”