King of Shadows by Mike Truk

Author:Mike Truk [Truk, Mike]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Published: 2020-06-15T04:00:00+00:00

* * *

Our carriage rolled through the streets of the Garden District and towards Execution Hill. The sun had set, yet the streets were alive with activity, the thrum of other wheels, the sidewalks busy with folks moving from home to home. It was if the rich and elegant of Port Gloom, deprived of a valued invitation to Councilor Aurelius’ party, were determined to make it up with a hundred celebrations of their own.

Cerys sat by my side, dressed in a sleeve of black lace over a dusky red silk dress with a slit up to one hip. She looked impossibly poised and feminine, confident and amused at my attempts to compliment her suddenly sultry beauty.

“Please,” she said, putting a hand on my knee. “Please stop. I understand what you’re trying to say.”

“No, it’s just that I’m not often at a loss for words.”

“It happens every once in awhile to all men,” she said, a smile curling up one corner of her mouth.

“You’re like… a curl of smoke around a…”

“Kellik?”

“A… sensual, probing… tongue?”

Cerys sighed and looked out the window.

I sank back, amused. And took advantage of the moment to drink her in. The swell of muscle down her thigh, her athletic frame, yet still feminine, and also lethal, and -

“We should review some basics,” she said.

“Yes.” I sat up. “Basics are good.”

“No wine that’s brought to you and you alone. Same with food.”

“Right. Though I wonder: given my constitution, do you think I’m susceptible to poison?”

She glanced over at me, eyes gleaming with amusement. “We could find out later tonight. Go to my room. I’ll tie you down naked to my bed.”

“Hmm,” I said approvingly.

“And then slowly try every poison I’ve collected. We could begin with crush beetle, which is supposed to cause your capillaries to burn, and then the larger veins…”

“Ah, no. That’s all right.”

“No?” She pouted. “Spoilsport. In which case, let’s avoid testing your stamina tonight. No food or drink that isn’t available to everyone else.”

“Got it,” I said.

“No kissing strange women,” said Cerys.

“Jealous?”

“Lipstick can be a means of passing on poison as well.”

“What if I make sure they wipe their lips first?”

“No going anywhere I can’t reach you, or don’t know where you are.”

“Fine. I’ll notify you as to all my illicit trysts.”

“You do realize we’re heading into a viper’s nest, don’t you, Kellik?”

“Yeah.” I looked out my window, chin on my palm. “Just another night in Port Gloom.”

“Not just another night. This is a wonderful opportunity for the council to rid themselves of you before you even start causing trouble. Can you remain focused?”

“Hmm, yeah.”

A moment of silence as we rocked along the cobblestones.

“What is it?” she asked.

I stared through my own reflection. “Just thinking of Netherys. I always thought she’d be here during these moments.”

Cerys hesitated then took hold of my hand. “You know that could hurt my feelings?”

“Oh!” I turned, quickly. “That’s not what I meant -”

“But it didn’t. Because I understand. I miss her as well. And if anybody was suited to a decadent party in a councilor’s home, it was her.

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