It occurred to later that I should have felt more, forcing Kilviuss hand like this. So sense of responsibility, or at the very least, guilt. As it was, I felt nothing at all.
Before Thoth drove the dagger ho and I ddled with my own soul, the guilt was always there. A primary force comprised exclusively of my own failings, driving forever forward. I saw it in the faces that haunted my dreams, felt it in the passage of every waking minute that went by without progress or improvent. Only now, it was gone.
Only the frost of numbness remained.
Ill let the two of you talk, Maya said, taking her leave down the cobbled steps. Her strained smile said it all. Whatever theyd discussed behind closed doors had nded so of the damage. But not all.
Well? Kilvius asked.
This is hardly an inquest. Were just talking. I looked up, to where mbers of my regint were still knocking on doors, undoubtedly asking after an unnad noble matching Annettes description. Its the second ti theyve been out here, looking for a woman. Given the sheer volu of gossip that circulates these parts, theyve already drawn very different conclusions.
Those with a keen ear likely have no idea what to think at all. Given the most recent events.
My reaction was instantaneous. My fists clenched at my side, and the mountainous air was suddenly in far shorter supply.
Kilvius drew the right conclusions quickly. It was sothing Id always liked about him during our ti in the Enclave, only now, the sa trait was working against . Several tactics I could use to move this conversation in a more cooperative direction popped into my mind unbidden, and I reviewed them, keeping my face neutral.
When Kilvius spoke again, his voice was barely audible over the din of the busy street. I dont know who she was. Or what she ant to you. But from all accounts, she was one of a kind.
And you know this how?
Kilvius grunted, rubbing at the shadow of stubble on his jaw. I take an interest when any of my assetsfriendly or otherwisedo anything out of turn. Such as taking a cohort of ard n to a cetery and unearthing the dead.
Dead
The word hung in my mind, catching at the spokes, eroding focus. I needed to stop him before the distraction worsened.
And has your interest been sated?
Enough to conclude it is not my business. Kilvius studied his pointed nails, rubbing at the quick. What remains is little more than idle curiosity. A question. One that my network and associates are incapable of answering.
Ask.
My wifethe one you took from told sothing, once. It seed like nothing at the ti, an idle observation in the night with little aning behind it. His heart remains in Whitefall.
Despite the sheer pain of what he was poking at, I couldnt help but laugh. Thats not like Nethtari at all.
There was a flash of a smile across Kilviuss features before it was gone. What you saw during your ti with us was just how she was with the children. A cold pragmatist unamused by whims of fancy and pointless theoreticals. Probably to counter my whimsical and carefree influence. But in private, she did fancy, and she did dream.
I thought back. There were monts of vulnerability where you could see it. Especially when she was drinking.
In ti she dread of a day when a certain ward beca family. For all the good that did her. Kilvius ground a heel into a small mound of impacted snow, clearing it from his doorstep. While I appreciate the opportunity to speak to my daughter again in a non-hostile environnt, our ti together grows short. Once whatever shit-heap youve brought down on my head is resolved, and the rash of abductions beyond that, I expect you and I will not et again. Persephone will handle any official business. My role here requires discretion, and you garner too much attention to associate with even in secret.
So you will help .
Only if you sate my curiosity. Kilvius leaned against the wall, shivering slightly as he contacted the cold surface. The girl. Who was she to you?
There was a ti I might have described Lillian and our relationship in such vivid, ponderous detail that anyone who asked would likely regret it. That ti was long past.
A lesson.
Kilvius raised an eyebrow. Of what nature?
That anything I care for can be taken away at any ti. The words ca out harshly, almost forced. Any vulnerability, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant presents an avenue of attack. And that perhaps the wisest course is to simply not care at all.
Then we are both lost in the sa endless cavern. He chuckled darkly, musing to himself. Damned as we are. , undone by my own kindness, and you, a pri example of one of lifes greatest ironies.
Which irony?
That those who strive hardest to separate themselves from their parents inevitably beco them.
It was all I could do not to take a step back. He could have gutted open with his claws and left bleeding on the snow with less impact. It was a killing blow, intended to sully and sever any history we had with one decisive strike. Part of wanted to rage, to recount in detail every single painful death and heartbreak that brought to this point. To shake him out of his single-minded hatred for , if nothing else. But there was no point. Hed only forget.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not ant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
It was better to focus on the things I could still change.
To not care.
I leaned against the wall beside him, so I didnt have to look him in the face. My younger sister was relocated from the palace last night.
Relocated. Not kidnapped? Kilvius observed.
By the kings decree, her ti as a carefree princess is over. Shes being married off to solidify a relationship with a so-called-noble house in the land of their holdings.
House Westmore. Kilviuss expression soured. Theyve carved out an influential niche in the last few years, especially for vermin who started as nothing more than base slavers. But that is a poor trade by any reasonable scale. Especially considering the rumors. He began to speak again, then stopped, cocking his head. And Uskar does not expend its royalty without cause. Theres another reason I take it?
Due to recent events, the king questions my judgnt. I ground out. And this is the thod he chose to test my ability. Test or not, the threat is real. If I dont find Annette co midnight, she will likely be lost to forever.
tal whisked against leather as Kilvius withdrew the knife from his belt, manipulating it, surprisingly dextrous. There are many noble houses that play at the fringes of the illicit, dipping their toes in questionable waters for nothing more than petty thrills. House Westmore is not one of them. They are far more entrenched in the lower channels of society than any other group in Whitefall I care to na.
Then Ill be doing the kingdom a service.
That answers my follow-up. Did you learn nothing from your dealings in the Enclave? Kilvius shook his head. Power is power, illicit or otherwise. You cannot simply eliminate those that oppose you and hope others more difficult to deal with wont imdiately fill the void.
I dont have ti for this. I rubbed my head hard. And if my father intended a diplomatic solution, he wouldnt have started this by setting an impossible ti limit and swinging a sword at my head. Even now, hes likely on his way here, eager for the second round.
Kilviuss brows knitted together. Warranted or not, what you just expressed is an emotional reaction. Think. Is it possible the king created this situation in order to lower your estimation in the eyes of a kingdom? Because if you tear through every Safehouse and holding facility in Topside in an indiscriminate fiery gale, it will affect your standing in the upper-city. He shifted his head in concession. Granted, it might not be that underhanded. If this is a test, the manner you approach a solution may be part of it.
With the pressure in my mind building to a climax, I nearly disregarded this altogether. After all, Westmore was less than scum. They deserved to be buried, foisted from their seats of power and cast down into the dirt with the rest.
Only, my father knew my feelings on the topic. That Id been looking for an excuse to deal with the house since my return, an excuse hed all but delivered into my waiting arms.
I paced.
Theres no such thing as a fair test, as far as my father is concerned. He expects to tear Topside apart. Its the natural conclusion to draw. So its safe to say hes banking on doing that.
It was so easy to forget he was also a tactician, not just a singular force of nature.
Okay. Kilvius inclined his head.
My pacing picked up speed. Its the only thing that makes sense. Misdirect, send chasing shadows, maybe even force a confrontation during the search to give the impression Im getting close. Only Im not. Because Annettes not in Topside at all. The safest place for him to put her in terms of insulation and coverage would be shit.
The Magnates Quarter. A relatively small section of the city for all the wealth it comprised. It was architecturally beautiful, almost on par with the palace itself, and imnsely secure. For good reason, as almost every Noble House in a position of power and favor had holdings there.
Not playing fair, father. But thats nothing new.
Slowly, I pieced sothing together.
For now, you have an advantage. Kilvius observed. But positioning towards the Magnates Quarter will lose that advantage imdiately.
I smiled, despite myself. Cant move on the magnates quarter in force anyway. As soon as they see palace soldiers moving en masse, every Noble House will be up in arms. Clever, father. But not perfect. I need a target to hit in Topside. Sothing valuable to House Westmore, but isolated enough that it wont cause a massive stir.
A false target. And I know just the one. But why?
Vogrin?
Vogrin appeared beside Kilvius, mouth pursed in a snarl. Are you certain you and your sister share the sa blood?
Lord below, Kilvius breathed, jolting at the sudden appearance.
Yes. I confird.
Then I do not know what conclusions to draw. Vogrin ranted. It is a distinctive scent, one I would not miss, that carries a subtle stench of the divine.
You gave a demon your blood. Kilvius observed dryly.
They already have a hold on my soul, I dont think blood is going to suddenly give them an edge. I looked to Vogrin. But stench of the divine? Thats news to .
My demon groaned. Dont get full of yourself. It is not uncommon for royal families to have so degree of divine ddling. Typically, too many generations up their family tree to make a difference. The gods are nothing if not amorous. But it is more rank and ergo more distinguishing than I am accustod to. I would notice if I crossed her trail. And yet, nothing.
You cant have searched all of Topside yet. Kilvius said skeptically.
Enough that I should have slled sothing!
I waved a hand. Relax, youre not here for that.
Vogrins eyebrows shot upward and his tone turned sarcastic. Oh! Have we simply moved on in my absence?
There were a lot of factors in play. I needed to be careful with how I approached this. The legion made several mistakes in the early days of our pact, and to their credit, they had recognized those mistakes, and extended several courtesies to to compensate. Offering Vogrin as a summon and use of the artifact Id traded them chief among them.
Despite that, there was a sense that our standing as of late was approaching equal, and that they had repaid their debt in full. I wanted sothing from them. But I wanted it in a way that would widen that gap, rather than close it.
Did I miss sothing? What is going on? Why is he smiling like that? Vogrin asked Kilvius.
Kilvius shook his head. From experience, you may want to stop floating before you fall down.
Vogrin. I said carefully. How would you like to tally a favor with your boss? One hell find particularly delightful.
Almost imdiately, Kilvius paled. No.
Vogrin was silent for a long mont. By boss, youre referring to
Who else?
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