Ollmond coughed, clearly taken aback by the forward offer. Xannirin and Rapp’s hands retreated, though the latter braced his forearms on the table and leaned in conspiratorially. “Rumor has it that Kormánzó Ergad is about to have his fourth child. I’d love to get a head start on life after the war, earn a bit more of the Kral’s favor since my position as Hadvezér will be all but useless.”

Rapp was a true friend, throwing Ollmond off like this, and a better courtier than I would ever be. With bated breath, I waited for the male’s response to Rapp’s offer.

Rapp’s sexual appetites were as varied as my own, and so long as Orith didn’t mind another male or female joining them while they coupled, she’d be fine in Rapp’s hands. Wealth, power, and sex ruled everything in this world, and all the worlds beyond. The rules were different for those of us at the upper echelons of society, even more so for the Kral’s inner circle. Rapp would see to it that Orith kept her mouth so full she couldn’t tell another soul.

Finally, Ollmond recovered. “Your offer is…very generous, Hadvezér Rapp. I shall think on it and return with an answer for you.”

I didn’t hide my derisive snort at his nonanswer. Of course, Rapp didn’t have enough noble blood for Ollmond. Rapp’s burgundy eyes didn’t come from his father’s lineage; it was gifted from the Giver, and he used it to escape his abusive parents and make a name for himself.

Servants carrying bowls of soup saved us from any further comment on the matter. The clear broth steamed into my nostrils, carrying a salty, spicy scent that made my mouth water.

“Your cooks are far superior to the ones on the front, My Kral,” I said, hoping to appease my cousin for my near-outburst.

All these centuries of life, and I still didn’t have my temper under control.

Xannirin’s pinched expression smoothed, and he slipped his spoon into his mouth. “The finest in all of Keleti,” he affirmed after savoring the soup.

After that, Rapp engaged the head of House Tiris in conversation, while Xannirin and I spoke with Sorn about the Angel’s advances into his territory and possible movements we could make. After all, he knew the land better than me, and I was humble enough to listen when the information would help my efforts.

More courses appeared, more alcohol flowed, and once the final had been served, Xannirin called for dancing. I caught Rapp by the shoulder as everyone pushed away from the tables. “You don’t have to marry Orith, you know.”

His eyes glittered and a corner of his mouth twitched up. “I know. But watching her squirm would be so much fun. Let’s dance, and maybe later we can convince Xannirin to call upon his premier for us.”

“So long as we leave this fucking party sooner rather than later, I don’t care,” I commented, following him through the throng toward the dance floor.

Rapp and I were the biggest males in the room, and the sea of bodies parting was born more from fear than respect. Spotting Kiira, I grabbed her elbow and steered her toward the center.

The veil that covered her face couldn’t hide the vibrancy in her eyes as I tugged her into the starting position. “You can’t only dance with me at these events, you know,” she teased as we flattened our palms against each other and spun in a slow circle.

We switched directions, her dress fluttering around her legs. “Approaching anyone else would make me appear weak.” I tried and failed to keep the annoyance from my tone.

She rolled her eyes, backing away from me. “And no one will approach you because they fear what you’ll do.”

We wove between a nearby couple before reuniting again. “I am glad you understand the situation, Kiira. I was beginning to worry you’d lost your sharpness.”

Fates, why is everyone trying to get me to loosen up? Why don’t they understand what’s at stake if my plan fails?

I had no time for female companionship or to waste my energy on courting one. I had one, singular, essential goal—win this fucking war. While everyone else got to fuck around in Gyor Palace, having parties with delicacies piled their plates, sleeping in comfortable beds at night with both eyes closed, I was out there, fighting, strategizing, ensuring that we exterminated the Angels before they could exterminate us.

Moments like these allowed the few resentments I held to creep in. I blasted them out of my mind. I’d worked too hard to get where I was to let bitterness ruin what I loved—power and killing.

Kiira tipped her head back and laughed as our hands joined again. “My claws are sharp enough to rip your massive prick from between your thighs, cousin.” Her head snapped forward and she leveled a slashing gaze on me. “Don’t forget that.”

I snorted, “I won’t anytime soon.”

She flashed me a winning grin. “Good.”

We executed the next switch and weave through without speaking, focused on the dance instead. After the third, we switched partners, and I paired with a distant relation to Sorn, who kept her eyes downcast our entire dance. Rapp swept by with Orith, shooting me a wink. I moved on to my next partner, who was the daughter of a wine trader in Uzhhorod.

“Halálhívó, is it true what they say about the Angel’s advance?” she asked, the sheer veil covering her face whispering as I spun her.

“And what is it that they are saying?” I groused, forcing myself to soften the harsh tone that wanted to snap free.

“That the Angels will be on our doorstep within weeks and the reason you retreated was because you are going to make your final stand here. Many of my father’s associates are considering a move south,” she said as we flattened palms and circled each other.

“No,” I growled, and she blanched. “And you can tell anyone who dares to speak such falsities to come to me directly.”

“Yes, Halálhívó,” she replied, scurrying onto her next partner. Fuck, if the wealthy of Uzhhorod thought they needed to go south…

The rest of the evening passed in a blur as my mind whirled. I etched the most neutral expression I could on my face, appeasing my cousin and hoping that I’d behaved well enough to convince the nobles that the war effort was worth everything we were asking them to forego in favor of the possibilities of the future.

By the time I returned to Grem and Zeec later that evening, bitterness coated my tongue in a thick, fuzzy blanket. The hypocrisy of these nobles was astounding, and that they cared so much for their precious positions in the capital while thousands died to allow them to sleep comfortably in their beds at night made me want to slap sense into all of them.

I drained four glasses of scale before my anger fled enough that I could fall into a fitful sleep. The entire time, burgundy eyes burned into me.

OceanofPDF.com

15

After we crossed the Vago River, more and more people appeared along the main road. With the size of our traveling party, most veered off to the side to pass us. Yet none of them slowed their fast pace south.

A brilliant sun beat down through a cloudless sky, and sweat slicked my torso within an hour of our departure. Izgath and I rode side by side at the rear of the group, ensuring the supply wagons trundled along smoothly. While Izgath hadn’t revealed my identity to anyone, he hovered closer than ever before.

A group of riders trotted through the scrubby bush that lined either side of the dirt road, likely returning from the capital to one of the cities in Vagach’s vidék. When they passed, Izgath pulled on his reins and slowed his mount. I mimicked him, and within a minute, we were largely out of earshot of the other soldiers.

“Tell me about you, Assyria,” he said, and Fates how I wished he would keep saying my name like that.