Fantasy of Fire (The Tainted Accords #3)(65)

I struggle for control as I recognize Jacquiline’s voice. She’s hanging around Arla again. I swallow down my reaction to her obvious jab about my mixed blood. I worry for a moment my former friend may have told Arla my secret. But I shake off that thought immediately. I would’ve received Arla’s threats by now if she knew.

The large group of women sweeps by me with a few giggles and I ignore them. But a stuttering voice stops me in my tracks.

“Tatuma, how are you today?” I peer through my veil to confirm the person’s identity.

“Good, Macy. How are your flowers?” I smile inwardly at her defiance against Arla and the rest of the group. Macy thought Frost contacted me while she was at the castle speaking to the council. She thought Frost had passed on her knowledge about the mistreatment from Blaine. When I mentioned I knew of her beatings, she didn’t even attempt to deny them. But then Sole was also present. Maybe this helped.

“They look beautiful at the moment. But they will close soon when we move into colder temperatures.” She pauses briefly. “Y-you are most welcome to come visit,” she says.

“I would love to,” I reply, warming my voice as much as I can. A true smile lights her face as she curtsies before moving back.

The creaking of the portcullis sounds behind me. Kaura butts my hand impatiently. I grab for the ball in her mouth, dismissing the others.

“Kaura,” I say in a stern voice, wiggling at the ball gripped in her mouth. She makes playful growling noises in return. “It’s going to be like that, is it?” I laugh at her and tug harder.

“King Jovan, you’ve returned!” Arla’s high-pitched voice carries back to me. I continue wrestling with Kaura, now listening carefully.

“As you see,” he replies. I smile at his short reply.

“Was it terrible?” she asks, a tremor in her voice. “I just feel like taking in all those sick children out there.”

I barely restrain my burst of laughter. At the same time I have this overwhelming want to scratch her. Kaura whines, sensing something is wrong. I pull the ball from her mouth while she’s distracted. Soon she’s chasing it across the courtyard once again.

“The situation there is not good. But the new Minister of the People has some excellent plans to begin changing that,” Jovan says.

I wonder what Blizzard is thinking right now. I turn toward the group, just making out the king’s outline.

“Oh, just look at your cloak. It’s covered in filth. Let me take it for you,” Arla cries. “Come now. I won’t take no for an answer,” she fake scolds. I grit my teeth as she presses herself against him to take it off. I can’t see the finer detail, but I can imagine she’s taking advantage of the opportunity.

I turn away, whistling for Kaura. She comes to me as I make my way in. She begins running to the kennels, but I call her to me as I climb the large stone steps. I think I’ll need a friend today.

A council session is planned for after the noon meal. I bite into a juicy pear, happy some things stay constant. Unlike kings of Glacium.

“I’m starving,” Olandon says as he plonks down into the chair beside me. I look at him, bemused. He looks up and waves at someone in the assembly. I wonder who.

“Been training all day with Ashawn,” he continues, shoveling food into his mouth. I blink, breaking from my shock.

“I see,” I say slowly.

He reaches for his goblet and a loud tearing sound makes the advisors around us jump. Olandon puts down his goblet with a clunk and reaches for the back of his tunic. Laughter trickles up to us from the front tables.

“This has happened five times now,” he mutters angrily. A small giggle escapes me. I clamp down as I receive the brunt of his glower. He’s mortified.

“They obviously aren’t made properly,” he says, face red.

I know the advisors around me are listening. “It does seem convenient that it’s happened to … did you say five tunics?” I trail off, waiting for him to grasp my meaning.

“You mean, someone is doing this on purpose?” he asks.

I giggle again. I can’t help it.

“But who?” he asks. I purse my lips, wondering if I should tell him. My brother has made real progress in the last few days. I decide to reward him with a hint.

“Sometimes, it’s the people we’d least expect who do these things to us. You could also reason, those closest to us have the best opportunity.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “You know who it is,” he accuses. He takes a sip from his goblet again. “I will think on what you have said,” he says.

“Once you figure it out, might I recommend something?” I ask. He dips his head. “Turning the tables could be more satisfactory than other pathways you may wish to take.”

A wide grin spreads over his face and he resumes eating. Drummond to my right, chuckles loudly as he chews some roast meat. I grimace at the loud, wet sounds his mouth makes.

“Such occurrences as these can also be turned in your favor. For instance, many of the females here find you attractive. If you wanted, you could turn this around to strengthen your position, rather than lose footing.” With that said I stand and face the tables in front of me.

“You’ll have to excuse my brother. He’s gaining muscle quickly with the delicious food here. It seems he’ll soon need larger tunics.” With that, I turn to him expectantly. Whatever my brother is, he’s not slow.