Fatal Shadow (Champions of Fate Book 1) by Noel Coughlan

Author:Noel Coughlan [Coughlan, Noel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Photocosmological Press
Published: 2021-02-21T22:00:00+00:00

22

They breakfasted around a long table—Epmar at the head, Drinith, Halyard, Gelasin, Jarma, Versifer with his glinting crystal eyes, and Zin. Two servants in teal hovered nearby, ready to pounce at the hint of any need. Drinith hadn’t slept well, thinking about what might happen to Quiescat, and even sips of her spicy yellow tea couldn’t relieve her gnawing headache. She placed a small saffron scone on her plate and slicing off a portion, chewed on it slowly out of politeness. Epmar sighed exasperatedly at the chime of a distant bell. “I wonder who calls this early. My steward, Picrity, isn’t due to arrive for another hour.”

Her butler, Fenvar, entered. Everything from her white bowl crop haircut to her shiny black boots was so precise and proper. Even the lines on her coral pink face fell neatly. The black apron she wore over her teal dress bore Epmar’s emblem, a bird taking flight, embroidered in gold.

She drew to Epmar’s side and cleared her throat. “Meritocrat Trajar has arrived to renew your acquaintance. I’ve invited her to wait in the parlor.”

Epmar puffed out her cheeks and exhaled. “Elca, eh?” Dabbing her mouth with her napkin, she rose from the table. “Drinith, will you accompany me? I should introduce her to you. The rest of you, please stay here and enjoy your breakfast.”

“I’ll have some tea and scones brought to the parlor,” the butler said.

As Drinith rose to follow, so did Gelasin. “May I tag along?”

“I think not, this time,” Epmar said. “The meritocrat might find too many unfamiliar faces uncomfortable.”

Glowering, Gelasin dropped back into his chair. “Very well.”

As they passed through the reception hall, Epmar whispered, “Let me do the talking as much as possible without making it obvious. There’s never been a more venomous snake than—” She pushed open the parlor doors. “Elca, how lovely of you to come to visit!”

The pale luminosity of Elca Trajar’s eyes was so unexpected and arresting, Drinith struggled to see beyond them. Stars dappled Elca’s violet skin and bright white tipped her twisted shoulder-length cascades of black hair.

“It’s a delight to see you again, Epmar,” Elca purred. “And who is this young woman with the pretty jewel on her forehead?”

“This is my good friend Drinith,” Epmar said.

“Ah, yes. The heir to the Kaplar Empire. Your reputation precedes you, my dear.” Elca seized Drinith’s hand and shook it with surprising firmness. As they sat down on separate couches, Drinith shied from her intense gaze and pretended to study the carpet. She wondered what Elca had really heard about her. Perhaps the reference to her reputation was merely a pleasantry.

Fenvar entered with the refreshments and placed them on the low table in the center of the room. Drinith took the opportunity to take in her surroundings. Women in black glared down at her from the portraits covering the walls. A large painting took pride of place above the red marble mantelpiece. A woman wearing a crown threw herself off a jutting tongue of red rock. Behind her, women dressed in black fought back warriors in bloodstained armor.

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