A Deathless Empire by Kayla McGrath

Author:Kayla McGrath [McGrath, Kayla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-08-06T00:00:00+00:00

It was the evening; shades of blush and lavender painted the sky from the view of the parlor in the Zephyr wing of the palace. They were all propped up on cushions, Valine having manipulated Jacira into summoning her friends, and cronies, and allies for tea. It was the perfect ruse. An informal tea hosted by the princess? The blame could not fall to Valine, and she had ensured that Hanish was the servant who would be bringing in the tea. Valine would make sure she was the one to serve it.

Across the low table was an assortment of small sandwiches, pastries, and samosas, with tureens of hot dips, and bowls cold spreads, offered by a wide variety of crackers and bread, dressed intricately with artfully placed flowers. Currently, they were sipping on flavored waters while the tea brewed, Valine having added a particular blend of nightshade to a particular teapot from the hand of Hanish.

As an assassin, Valine always kept a small store of poisons and blades hidden in the velvet lining of her trousseau and a specific set of items hidden in a locked chest. Both of these items were currently in Hanish’s possession. It took Valine much confidence to entrust Hanish with so much that could indict her, but of course, the threat of necromancy can do wonders for motivation.

Jacira was draped over Pandora, while the other girl ran her fingers through the princess’s hair, a serene smile playing on her lips. Her eyes were sparkling with a cleverness that Valine wondered how no one else saw. Tallulah and Freyja were engaged in a lively discussion regarding the overrated stance of diamonds, bringing up the grandeur of rubies and emeralds, while Sarim watched Freyja quietly from beside Valine. On Valine’s other side was Balchon, chatting amiably with Alastair, telling him of the terrible trip some mushrooms had taken him on days past and how the daemon patrons wanted to eat his dick. Valine knew about that much too well. And then, there was Malik. The king she had not seen in days was flirting with Cersei. Bright, hot, jealous rage flooded Valine, and she quaked to think about what her territorial reaction meant. What it hinted towards, and all the truths it hardly kept at bay.

Palm fronds waved gently in the breeze generated by nearby aethermancers, the need for hydromancers unnecessary as the air was already full of expectant rain. The use of mages only infuriated and reaffirmed her duty. The scent of jasmine and freesia spiced the air as Valine’s stress colored it just as potently—if only to her. The anxiety was only slightly diluted by the carefully formulated plan, contingencies upon backups at her fingertips. She was giving the air of languid relaxation when, in reality, every string of her nerves was pulled taut.

Cersei’s vivacious laugh had arrows shooting out of Valine’s eyes, and she only tempered her reaction by leaning into Sarim and whispering to him.

Valine slowly unfurled her necromancy, allowing it to seep into her target, and letting it fester.

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.