The Poison Court by Amanda Downum

Author:Amanda Downum
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mystery, queer, spies, supernatural, dark fantasy, sorcery, court intrigue
Publisher: Amanda Downum

CHAPTER SIXTEEN – Stolen Warmth

AFTER VARIS’S VISIT and her conversation with the king, Narkissa spent the rest of the day waiting for something else to happen. Her luggage and Idris’s had arrived the previous night, so late the servants had only brought it up this morning. She had hoped that Reshmi would accompany it, but though she recognized the neat hand at packing when she opened her trunks, her maid was absent. Was that Thea’s doing or the king’s?

She occupied herself with unpacking, then with helping Idris, always waiting for some new arrival, some invitation. None came. Palace staff brought them lunch and tea and that was all. Idris paced. Narkissa envied him the motion; it was a habit her mother couldn’t stand, so she and Ginevra had learned to fidget quietly and out of sight.

Eventually he unearthed a deck of cards in his luggage, and spent an hour teaching her bastra, a Skarrish variation of tarock. They kept the windows open, letting the sounds of the palace drift past them.

“What did Lord Varis want?” Narkissa asked as Idris dealt cards.

He grimaced. “My mother sent him to check up on me. She’s afraid I’m mixed up in something dangerous. He asked about….” He gestured around them. “Everything.”

She couldn’t tell from his face if he’d seen what she had this morning. She wasn’t sure how to begin that line of inquiry. Idris was pleasant enough company, and handsome, and a fellow catspaw–whether he would be an ally remained to be seen. But if what she suspected about his parentage was true.... She had to admit, the certainty of Thea’s rage gave her a pleasant frisson. Marrying someone out of spite ought to be horrid, but it was more honest than any of their other reasons.

“What did you tell him?”

Idris frowned at his cards. “Nothing. I wanted to, for a moment. But I can’t trust him. I’m not sure I trust anyone right now.” He glanced up, stricken. “I’m sorry–”

Narkissa shook her head. “I can’t decide if we’re greater fools to trust or to keep our secrets.”

“I’ve put you in a terrible situation.”

“No, Thea put me in this situation. And I have, saints help me, allowed her to. I could throw myself on the king’s mercy and rely on his protection, but it would mean never being safe in Erisín as long as my aunt lives.”

“That’s why you want to leave?”

“Part of it.”

“I can’t let you blame Thea for everything,” he said. “Yes, she is using you, but there are other factions at work here. Plans I don’t think she knows of. If we go through with this, you’ll be in danger. We both will. But if I try to stop it we’ll still be in danger, and I’ll betray...someone I care about.”

He looked so very miserable. Narkissa wanted to laugh at both of them. Instead she reached out and touched his hand. “Do what you must. For all I might wish otherwise, I am a Jsutien. I can take care of myself.

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.