Page 91 of City of Snakes
“King Darvanda.”
My jaw tightened. “Sounds like a lie.”
“Only in part. Queen Sybilla sent me, too. She is worried about you after that...displayat the council meeting and your decisionto position troops at other Corridors’ borders.” She reached out to touch the tip of the blade I’d retired from polishing and had set on the desk.
“That’s also a lie—she’s pissed, and she sent you to scold me.”
She smirked again; her eyes shined with mischief. “No scolding. Unless you’d like that. But you may want to remain seated for this next part.”
I sighed. “Try me.”
Elsedora picked up my sword and spun the hilt in her hand, assessing the weapon with eagle-like intensity.
“Queen Sybilla is betrothed.”
I swallowed hard, wishing I’d misheard her. It wouldn’t be the first time I’d heard similar news. Sybilla had almost married three times. She had a reputation for never making it down the aisle.
I shrugged. “Who agreed tothat?”
Elsedora continued to stare at the blade in her hand.
Maybe letting her remain armed was unwise, but a self-destructive instinct had taken over me. It might be for the best if she ran me through the heart now, before whatever evil there grew.
“My King,” she answered.
“Quit joking,” I scoffed.
“I’m not. It’s a wise alliance, and they know it. None of the other royals will side with you if the Heir of Shadows could come knocking on their door.”
I shot up from my chair and began to pace. “She wouldn’t.”
“She would. She is,” Elsedora said gently.
My breath heaved out of me, hands shaking.
I’d pushed Sybilla too far.
“She could not love me one moment and marryhimthe next.”
“So you think it was love.” Her eyes narrowed on the hilt of my sword, at the pommel, before she added, “Love is a sacrifice offreedom, one you are happy to make. Do you feel like you both thought each other worthy of such a sacrifice?”
“That’s an awful way to view love,” I answered.
“Is it?” She offered me a pitying smile. “What are you willing to sacrifice for your Queen?”
“She isn’t mine,” I ground out.
“And whose fault is that?”
I glared at her. “That’s complicated.”
She took my sword by its blade and handed me the hilt.
“It isn’t really,” she said. “Love doesn’t come with the freedom to choose when it is convenient. Love defies logic and complexity. There isn’t anything you could do to stop it or dull it or walk away from it.”
“Leave my castle,” I growled. Elsedora stilled, her palms planted on the desk.
“Have I hit a nerve, puppy?” she asked.
