Page 57 of City of Snakes
Sybilla
Dusk settled over the courtyard outside Umber House. Night market merchants’ tents were rising. Source-wielders cast enchantments to hold the canopies up without posts. The floating lanterns danced above, already lit for this evening’s reprieve from the heat.
I waited for Fen and Asterie outside the Egress. The carved opening in the stone wall of the building offered them shade.
Asterie stepped out first. Vangard, her wolf-like beast, trailed behind her in a form no larger than an average dog. His horns were curled back, and his talons scraped against the cobblestone. I’d seen himmuchlarger, yet now he trotted at Asterie’s side, looking more like a devoted pet than the vicious beast I’d once witnessed fight for my city.
Fenris, draped in a heavily patched thick green cloak, followed, glancing around the darkening streets as though assessing threats. Asterie wore her usual black robe and stone-faced expression. They’d be awfully warm in a few short minutes.
Wanting to be out of my heavy gown, I’d opted for a cream-toned linen dress and woven-leather slip-on mules. Elsedora had taken me to the night market again to pick out attire that suited me and the weather.
“Welcome.” I forced a chipper greeting. My voice still rasped, and I longed to be back in bed. I’d push through if only because I wanted to be among friends.
As Asterie and Fen approached, Van headed straight toward a cart selling meats. The merchant shooed him away.
“Van!” Asterie tapped her side to call him before turning to me. “My Queen.” Asterie attempted to curtsey, but Van knocked into the back of her legs and threw her off-balance.
“Needy animal,” Fen mumbled with a smirk as he grabbed Asterie’s arm to steady her. “How are you, Sybilla?”
My resolve for propriety waned, and I reached around and hooked both of their necks to draw them into an embrace.
“I’m alright, but we must speak inside,” I whispered before pulling away from them. “It’s too warm outside anyway. Next time, dress lighter.”
Asterie’s gaze slid down to the healing wound across my cheek, and her brow furrowed. At least I was still using my Luz-blue silk ribbon as a choker to hide the bruising—that would have only worried her more.
“Archery accident,” I explained with a lump in my throat. I hadn’t touched my bow since leaving home. I’d left my weapon in the Luz armory. Telling them about the attack would only distract them, and I needed their attention on my people, on rebuilding the city.
A shadow loomed near the door of Umber House.
“Krait, good to see you,” Fenris said.
Darvanda grunted.
He stood at the entry to Umber House, looking both annoyed and imposing.
“That means hello and he has missed you so very much in Darvan-dick,” I teased. Krait glared at me but shifted to allow us to walk ahead of him through the doors. “How is Luz faring?”
Asterie said, while casting a sideways glance back at Darvanda, “It will be a long process to restore things to their former state, but everyone in the city is housed. We are making do. It’s moving along; progress would be muchfasterwith more magical aid.”
“The Nadiars have agreed to send Griffiths.”
Asterie squeezed my arm in thanks.
I was in the Sahlms while my peoplemade do.That felt wrong, but I could rest assured that my advisors were doing all they could. “Can we send aid from the Sahlms?” I asked Krait.
Asterie’s brows rose at the word “we,” and my cheeks grew hot. Although we were allied, that did not mean that there was awe.
He fell into step beside me but didn’t look at me. His jaw tightened before he shook his head. “I cannot let anyone step across that border. Not until I know they can do so in peace, not until their future is secure. You heard the other rulers. There will be ‘concessions and decisions’ on a case-by-case basis.”
I wanted to argue, but I found myself at a loss for a compelling enough reason for him to aid a realm that had so readily turned his people away, a realm that continued to make it difficult for them to return.
I nodded and sucked in my cheeks. “Fair enough.”
“Wine?” I asked Asterie. I held out the bottle, and it left my fingers, floating across the table to pour her a glass—a charm I particularly liked for its efficiency in keeping my glass full.
Large serving dishes were brought in. An array of mixed grains and meats paired with decadently spiced sauces graced the table. The flavors were less subtle and often spicier than in Luz cuisine; my palate grew used to the taste.
Elsedora sat next to her brother, chattering about her life in the Sahlms. They’d only briefly been able to speak in Luz before we’d left. The ease between them cut through the tension around the rest of the table as bowls were passed for everyone to serve themselves.
