A Traitor at the Stone Court (Empire of Talents Book 3) by Jordan Rivet

Author:Jordan Rivet [Rivet, Jordan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-05-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Mica saw little of Caleb in their first days at the Stone Court. The Lower Overseer sent Obsidian-born servants to look after the prince and his lady while Caleb worked with the slaves in the Lower Castle. Mica and Tiber had to pretend to be a newly smitten couple at all times. They slept in the same bed, cushions carefully arranged between them, and ate together in the Hall of Balconies whenever they weren’t visiting with the ladies or attending council meetings with the men.

Tiber befriended Lord Morgan, who basked in the Crown Prince’s attention, but Mica had precious few opportunities to get to know Lord Morgan herself. Obsidian men and women didn’t spend much time together outside of meals. It was almost enough to make Mica miss the dancing lessons in the Silver Palace.

Morgan was awkward at the banquet table, as if he wasn’t used to receiving attention from ladies. He gave no indication that he’d ever confide in her, especially with a secret as important as the Fifth Talent formula. Mica would have to rely on Tiber to coax it out of him.

They soaked up as much information as they could, aware their charade could end at any moment. Mica got Lady Rowa to show her around the austere corridors of the Upper Castle and began to piece together a detailed map of the place—something no Windfast spy had accomplished. The other ladies often joined these tours, which included frequent stops for sweet tea and cake. With most of the nobles away at war, they felt like children exploring a towering ruin. From the size of the halls, one would think the average Obsidian was twelve feet tall. They jogged down vast corridors and listened to the echoes in the cavernous halls. The Obsidian practice of using as few interior walls as possible made for some remarkable acoustics. At times, Mica almost enjoyed herself.

It wouldn’t last long, though. The king and his entourage were expected back within the fortnight.

“And then what a riot we shall have,” Lady Rowa said. “You will love the Mimic Ball, Lady Carys. Unless you’re bored of Talents?”

“The slaves in my father’s camp are Muscles and Shields, not Mimics,” Mica said. “They mostly work in the mines.”

“I suppose that would make for rather dull entertainment.”

Mica clenched her fists to keep from slapping Rowa across her rosy cheeks. “Yes, the slaves aren’t very entertaining.”

The reality beneath the surface of Obsidian life kept Mica from actually enjoying herself. Rowa and the others ignored the fact that their grand buildings were constructed by Talent slaves. Kept in camps, they were easier to control, easier to dismiss. And the ladies truly seemed to believe that was where the Talents belonged.

Mica devoted herself ever more diligently to studying the castle. Her map might one day make it possible to break this place wide open.

Lady Nia sometimes joined Mica and Rowa on their explorations, though she wasn’t nearly as jovial about it. She simmered with resentment over the fact that she couldn’t go to war.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.