My stomach tenses. Will the city have any mortals left by the time Hudem arrives?
Kazimir slips a book off the shelf, feigning interest. “I always was fond of my theology teacher.”
“And why is that?” I fan through the book in my hand before setting it back on the shelf. I’ve rifled through nearly every volume on old world speculation, but I have yet to uncover something about the nymphs or Stonekeep.
“She taught me much. Nothing about the fates, though.” His tone is thick with lewd implications.
I inhale deeply. “Why do you smell like sex and ale?”
“Because you told me to chase rabbits, and they led me to Port Street.”
“And into the loving arms of a mortal?”
Kazimir grins. “Sometimes questioning requires a certain finesse.”
Beside him, Rhodes chuckles, a rare sound.
“I’m sure.” At least someone enjoyed company last night. “And what has your questioning turned up?”
“Rumors run rampant. Everything from Adley and Spires being in a dungeon cell to burning on a pyre, Presenting Day moving up to this Hudem, His Highness stealing children from their keepers—”
“I’m not stealing them.” I’m safeguarding them.
“Some believe they are to be sold to Kettling’s underground child market as part of the bargain struck with Adley.”
“They honestly believe I would …” My voice drifts with a grunt of disgust. “Well, there’s no use for that bargain, anyway. The wedding is no more. Saoirse is in the tower.”
“Some believe she will be released and back in your arms, just as the Ybarisan princess was.”
I scowl. “Saoirse has never been in my arms.”
“People are afraid.” Rhodes’s deep voice grates in the quiet library.
I sigh. “That was the plan.” Though a dangerous one. Fear breeds desperation, followed quickly by recklessness and rebellion. I need it to hold off until Hudem. If Romeria’s claim about the end of the blood curse is true, I will release every child. “Anything else?”
“Now that the wedding is no more and the nymphaeum is closed, most of the nobility are desperate to return home. Several have been caught trying to bribe their way out. Boaz has punished them accordingly.”
“With strong words?” I jest, but I know better. He’ll have divested them of their gold and publicly flogged them to make a point. They’ll never be loyal to me now. I’ll have to strip them of their lordships and remind them that I could have stripped them of their heads. “And the port?”
“The captain of the Silver Mage made a fuss at the docks because we wouldn’t let him board to sleep in his cabin. Claims you’ll be hearing from Empress Roshmira if his ship isn’t released soon.”
“Likely, but not for another week or two.” Hudem will be long past by then. Pissing off Seacadore’s ruler is not in my game plan. We need her for vital trade.
And we have more pressing matters ahead of us than spying and collecting gossip. “The king’s guard will hold the city while the Cirilean army rides for the east. Rhodes, you will lead them. Kaz and I will follow in a day’s time and find you before you reach the plains.” A handful of soldiers move much faster than an entire company of them.
“Your Highness.” Rhodes bows and strolls away to relay the order.
I flip through the last book on the shelf, disheartened. “All these volumes, and not one gives me what I need.”
“Seriously, what are you looking for?”
“Answers to questions that likely do not matter.” I slide it back where it belongs.
Kazimir frowns. “The eastern lords are in the dungeon, you are riding to war, and it appears you took a vein. I was expecting you to be in a better mood.”
“One would think.” He’s right. My adrenaline should be surging in anticipation. I’ve always preferred the battlefield to these castle walls. “Tell me, what was your read on Gracen last night?” Did I somehow misunderstand everything?
Kazimir studies me a moment. “She gave you her vein willingly?”
“Of course.” I glare at him. “And she was supposed to come to my chamber after tending to her baby’s needs, but she did not.”
“You ordered her?”
“I requested, and she seemed eager.” And then I lay in an empty bed, waiting for her. I toyed with the idea of sending someone to bring her to me, and then I almost found my own way there, worried something might have happened to her. In the end, I decided against it, telling myself that her baby must not have settled and she was needed.