Page 59 of City of Snakes
I’d gathered that Stygian had been Krait’s Commander at the time of the fall of Phynx.
The mood sobered. Fen cleared his throat as Ryn found a seat next to Elsedora.
“Well then,” Elsedora said with watery eyes. She seemed overwhelmed to see them all in one room.
I fought the temptation to reach into her head. Seeing two people you loved make amends—that was a feeling I’d never experienced.
Asterie still stared at me, frozen from the casual announcement of my betrothal. I peeked into her thoughts, longing for her acceptance.
“Surely that cannot be a good idea…Has she fallen for the Shadow King?”
Her internal question made my lips creep up at the sides.
I winked at her and said, “I will let you recover your aura of indifference, friend. Rest assured that a strategic marriage is what’s best for the future of my reign. We’ll discuss the arrangements later and put together a formal announcement.”
Asterie nodded and said, “Eager to hear your plans.”
Empty plates floated away, and hours passed. Krait remained at the table but barely conversed with any of us. Fenris, Ryn and Elsedora chattered while Asterie and I conversed and nearly polished off a bottle of wine between the two of us.
“If you were an animal, what would you be?” I asked Asterie. The wine had warmed my stomach and blurred the edges of my vision. Being among friends felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket at the end of a long day. The lightness of it lifted me. Gone, temporarily, was the pain in my joints; gone was the fatigue. In pain’s place was an escape that would torture me tomorrow but felt lovely in the moment.
“I don’t know. What do you think I would be?” she answered.
I tapped a finger to my chin. “Hmm, an owl. Beautiful, wise, and with a constant expression of judgment. Especially right now.”
My friend’s demeanor softened, and she cracked a thin smile. “I am never judging you.”
“I know, but you look like you are.” I chuckled. “What about me?”
Asterie said too quickly, “A horse.”
I scoffed as her eyes went wide.
“Not in looks!”
“Yes, yes, keep digging a hole for yourself,” I teased. “Why a horse?”
Krait dared to stifle a laugh as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“They’re such majestic and beautiful animals—but that’s not why. Did you know that a horse can hear your heartbeat? They are most comfortable when those around them feel confident. Like how you can feel others’ emotions…you are attuned to those near you, and when they are unsure, you’re more likely to spook.”
“That is profound and utter bullshit. But a decent save, I suppose,” I said and swiped at her with a napkin.
“Wait, what am I?” Fenris asked.
Krait cut in and deadpanned, “Tomcat.”
Fenris spit a mouthful of wine back into his glass. “Come now, I’ve changed my ways.” He held a hand toward Asterie as though showcasing her as proof of his innocence. Asterie leaned her shoulder into him.
“You two certainly knew each other well in a past era,” Asterie noted.
“And you”—I pointed at Elsedora—“are a fox...definitely a fox.”
Elsedora did a jig with her shoulders, looking proud to be likened to the curious, elusive animal.
Elsedora turned to Ryn and squinted in thought. “Hmm...” Her expression brightened. “Oh! Wolf.”
Ryn rolled his eyes. “Does this have something to do with me howling at the moon?”
