Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 162269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 162269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
I would never tire of looking into his eyes.
Then again, I would never tire of anything that was True.
“Some supporters of Gallienus tried to free him,” he shared. “They failed. It very much did not go well to the point two of the eleven conspirators lost their lives. The other nine have now joined Gallienus in his accommodations.”
“And what does this have to do with you?”
“Cassius jailed a lord before he left to take Elena to Ophelia prior to…”
“Yes,” I whispered when he trailed off.
True cleared his throat, and along with him in that moment, I quietly lamented all of our loss, so much of it, in so short a time.
True continued, “He has asked for an audience with Cass. Apparently, he is one of the instigators and feels that the best way forward in hostilities at this time is to enter negotiations.”
“I’m sure he does, ambushing Cassius and Elena, only for them to ride out of the mountains fighting, to be joined by two nations’ armies. Unicorns transporting all of us to thwart their evil doings at The Enchantments. Your soldiers now camped out on the grazing fields outside Sky Bay. Mars’s approaching The Enchantments to assist in guarding them, his others running roughshod through AG strongholds in the south. Aramus’s ships blockading every harbor and bombarding Dunlyn with cannon fire. If I was so thoroughly losing a war I should not have waged within barely a week of starting it, I’d wish to enter negotiations too.”
True was grinning down at me throughout my diatribe, and he gave it a few moments before he replied.
“Well, I go with him and Aramus to Slán Bailey to speak to this Lord Felix.”
I frowned.
“If we can manage it swiftly and without more loss, it will be good to have it done, Farah,” he said. “Cass and Ellie’s wedding is in a few days. And I wish to take you home. I wish to have some quiet time with you. I wish for some calm before we face another storm.”
“I wish for that too,” I said softly.
“Speaking of that, I need to ask your advice.”
“Hmm?”
“I’ve received word from a constabulary in the Arbor.”
“Yes?”
“They’ve arrested Johan on suspicion of treason. Apparently, he hired some prostitutes to spy on Mars and Silence when they were there.”
I blinked up at him, thrown by this extraordinary, and extraordinarily stupid news.
“He was arrested in a brothel, after having sex with one of the prostitutes. All three who were paid to spy, as well as management, attest that he is a regular, and even frequent visitor and has been for years. As such, although infidelity is not a criminal offense in Wodell, it does carry penalties if a spouse wishes to press it, it is proven, and it has been long established. As such, Vanka has petitioned for the dissolution of the household. Which means they will remain married, but they no longer will reside under one roof, he has no claims to her, her bloodline or her progeny’s person, properties or monies, and she can demand restitution. She has. In an astronomical amount that will be crippling to Johan.”
“Er…” I mumbled, uncomfortable, for I had a feeling this befalling Johan was not a coincidence.
“I know Mars is behind it, Farah. I also know Johan did not spy on Mars and Silence for Wodell or other reasons regarding state affairs or personal ideals, but so he could find some way to drive a wedge between them. It was a faulty play and if Mars was not Mars, and he did not feel as he does about Silence, upon discovery, it could have made things very touchy between our two realms.”
At least I could agree to that.
Thus, I did, saying, “Yes.”
“So, what do I do?”
I was confused.
“What do you do?”
“It has been made clear I’m overprotective when it comes to Silence. It’s also now known that Johan is not blood to her. I know what Mars will say if I ask him, since he maneuvered this, but I want to shield Silence from hurt. And because of that, I do not want to ask her. So, do I get behind Mars’s play? Or do I show leniency in order not to upset Silence further than she already is about her father…and mother?”
“You get behind Mars’s play,” I stated instantly.
His brows rose slowly. “You answered that quickly.”
“What does it mean, fully, to do that?”
“The missives are from ravens, so they are not thorough, but he is admitting to the spying, and why. And there is no recourse about the infidelity. It was witnessed. Even by Vanka.”
My heart sunk for Vanka and my expression must have shown that for True spoke on.
“He has always been arrogant and acted like he could do anything he pleases. He had a more kingly manner than my father, and not in noble way. If she did not know this was a good possibility, she is a fool. Vanka has been turning the other cheek far too long. It sounds unkind, but I do not have much sympathy for her.”