Page 79 of The Last Syphon

Cold, violet eyes locked on her. He assessed her, running his gaze over her from head to toe before crossing his arms over his burly chest. “You are late.”

She was now because she’d been forced to wait for him and Larissa to finish their conversation, but she knew better than to say that. Inara did not want to draw attention to what they were discussing.

“Won’t happen again.”

“See that it does not.” He walked forward, and Inara stepped back so they did not touch. He turned, shut the door, produced a key, locked the door, and began making his way down the hall. “Come.”

She fell into step behind him. With each movement he made, his swords rattled. Inara eyed them. He had two at his back and two at his sides, as well as numerous daggers strategically placed across his body.

It made sense to her. As a Medalist, the more weapons he had on his person, the more he had to control with his magic, the more options it provided him.

“So what’s on the agenda today?” she asked, filling the silence. “Are we flying to another kingdom for negotiations? Maybe torturing enemies of Arelia for their secrets? Or perhaps hunting down criminals in the city?” Surely, as the Crowned Prince of Arelia, his days were filled with excitement, danger, and adventure…Right?

Inara sighed.

She was so bored. So. Fucking. Bored.

Turned out, there was absolutely nothing exciting on the agenda because Prince Walder was holding court, which meant all day—all fucking day—Inara had been forced to stand in the grand assembly hall behind the prince as citizens from all across Arelia came to air any grievances they might have with either each other or the Crown.

Her feet ached from standing still in one position for so long. Fraener had gotten so bored that the traitor had left her, flying off with the prince’s Guardian. She could feel from the soul-link that he had not gone far, but still. Inara never thought she would be jealous of a creature, but she fucking was, because she would give a limb to be anywhere else right now.

Inara glanced at the line again. It looked even longer than when they started. How was that possible?

So far, she had heard every dispute known to man.

“Mr Berton stole a cow from my pen.”

“Mrs Rine’s plum tree is growing over the fence into my land.”

“Those rotten youthens keep knocking on my door and running away.”

Inara found that last one quite funny. She’d accidentally snickered, earning a scathing glare from Prince Walder.

Most were small matters, but the prince treated every single one as if it were a matter of great urgency, promising to have it resolved as soon as possible. One thing Inara noticed was that no one seemed as if they were struggling. Everyone was well dressed, well-fed.

Well looked after.

Even the citizens who had come from the far reaches of Arelia.

Inara wasn’t exactly sure what she had been expecting.

When Prince Walder called, “Next,” she could take it no longer. There were steps leading up to the red throne chair the prince was sitting in. She walked forward and sat down on the first step.

Ah.

Perfect.

She glanced over her shoulder.

Prince Walder glared at her. She allowed her magic to flash in her eyes a bright gold. Yes. She might have been sitting on her ass, but she could still do her damn job. What good was standing behind him anyway? If anything, she should be in front. She turned back to face the waiting crowd.

A man and his young daughter stepped forward. He was dressed in a very nice beige tunic. Grey hair only grew on the sides and back of his head, the top all but completely bald. His daughter wore dark brown trousers and a loose shirt. Her brown hair was up out of her face, and a sword was strapped to her waist.

“My Prince.” The man dipped into a low bow. “I am Rahphael. This is my daughter, Hova.” The girl bowed deeply.

Prince Walder inclined his head. “What brings you here?”

Rahphael looked at his daughter and offered her a kind, supportive smile. He nodded and slightly nudged her forward.