A Parliament of Owls by Beth Hilgartner

Author:Beth Hilgartner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: dark fantasy adventure, fantasy about a thief, fantasy about ancient gods
Publisher: Beth Hilgartner

Chapter Twenty—Arguments and Councils

By the time they reached the privacy of Rhydev's apartments, Ancith was more than ready for a fight. As the doors closed behind them and their bodyguard stepped into the guard post to report to Ghorran, Rhydev turned to his lover.

"We need to talk. Go change and come to me in my study."

"And why should I take your orders, Rhydev?" Ancith demanded stonily. "I followed your plan just now, and look where it got me!"

"My plan?" Rhydev asked mildly. "I thought we worked on it together."

"You're the one who knows everyone! You're the one who should have anticipated—"

Rhydev's raised hand cut off Ancith's passionate words. "I understand that you're angry with me," he said evenly, carefully composing his features to express a mixture of apology and concern. "And we need to talk. But let's not have our—mmm—discussion in the hall, like a pair of fishwives trading accusations in the market. I'm sorry about what happened, Ancith. It's been years since I—mmm—miscalculated so badly. Please: go change, then come to my study and we'll talk."

"I thought you were angry at me," Ancith blurted.

"Oh, my dear: I'm angry at myself. I never meant to put you through such an—mmm—ordeal."

Ancith stared at Rhydev for a moment, puzzled and unbalanced, while the older man let the worry deepen in his eyes. Then, the youth spun away and stalked off toward his room. As Rhydev watched him go, the worry drained away to be replaced by speculation and a hint of annoyance.

"Ghorran?" he called softly, after he heard Ancith's door bang shut.

"My lord?" Ghorran appeared at the door of the guard post.

"Next time I take him out in public, remind me to have you check the guest list."

Ghorran's eyebrows rose. "Was there trouble, my Lord?"

"Amynne Ykhave was there."

Ghorran pursed his lips in a soundless whistle. "Do you want me to have her killed, my lord? It would be…costly…to do it without the assassin being traced to you, but I'm sure it's possible."

"No. When I take my revenge on that righteous little bitch, it's going to be exquisite and lingering; a knife in the dark is not nearly—mmm—poetic enough. Bring coffee to my study—and some of those almond tarts Ancith likes. And Ghorran? Lace the tarts with affyrhenn."

Ghorran nodded, hiding any reaction to the name of the powerful aphrodisiac. It had been a long time since Rhydev had needed the help of the drug in managing his young protégé. Amynne Ykhave must have been in rare form.

Rhydev went to his own room, removed his jewelry, and changed into a silk dressing gown. He studied his reflection in the mirror as he artfully disarranged his hair. He was resourceful. He would find a way to use this debacle. What a pity it had happened the first time he had allowed Ancith in on the planning stages. He would have to show himself fallible. It would never do to let the boy think he had set him up for such a disaster. So far, Rhydev had been, if anything, too skilled in his manipulations.

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