Fireblood (Frostblood Saga #2)(36)
“I may not have done what you expected, Your Majesty,” Kai argued, growing more confident, “but I believe I have given you something more valuable. Instead of risking her life and the loss of an asset, we have her here. We can still use her knowledge against the Frostbloods: their strengths and weaknesses, the inner workings of their court, their plans.”
Arcus’s warning came back to me in a rush: that I shouldn’t trust the lies of a stranger. A sense of betrayal built into white-hot anger in my chest.
The queen considered for a moment. “What are you hoping to gain from this, Prince Kai?”
He took a step forward, his back ramrod straight. “I want my second chance, as agreed.”
“You forfeited that when you failed in your task. I should throw you in prison for your disobedience.”
Kai’s gaze shifted restlessly over me. Emotions flashed across his features—calculation, indecision, resolution—before he spoke. “The new king favors her. He… cares for her. You can use that to your advantage.”
My indrawn breath fell sharply into the silence. Heat coursed through my veins, as if searching for a way out.
“How much?” she asked.
“A great deal,” said Kai, avoiding my eyes. “She calls him by a pet name. And there are rumors that she is his mistress.”
My hands itched to forcefully stop the words emerging from his lying mouth.
Kai continued. “There are also rumors that he intends to make her his queen.”
Arcus never said anything like that! It was just talk among servants and courtiers and all the people who resented me and distrusted Arcus. My fury burned so hot, it was close to hatred. Kai was making a fool of me, treating me like a bargaining chip in some game I hadn’t known he was playing. And I loathed myself for trusting him.
The queen had an arrested look as she examined me, as if seeing something she’d missed before. I kept my chin up, signaling my defiance. She didn’t seem to notice. She was too busy calculating my value the way a money lender weighs gold.
“The king is in love with the girl who melted his throne?” She chuckled richly. “A comic playwright could not produce such outlandish farce. A Frostblood king led into foolishness by his emotions. It is beyond belief.”
She bestowed her smile on Kai. “Perhaps I shall pardon you after all. If what you say is true, you’ve brought me a jewel in the king’s crown, so precious to him that he will do anything to secure her safety. I might as well hold his icy heart in the palm of my hand.”
At the mention of his heart, my restraint broke. I needed to release the pressure and heat that had built up in my chest, either with fire or words. Considering Brother Thistle’s caution about my temper, words seemed safer.
“The king would never do anything to harm his people.” I spoke in Sudesian, not caring if my speech was imperfect, only that she understood. My voice was low and seething, edged with warning. “You are wrong about him, Your Majesty.”
Her brows rose. “So you admit you are special to him,” she said, gazing at me as approvingly as if I’d just paid her a compliment. “How much are you worth, I wonder? Fifty ships? A thousand? Perhaps a message with our terms will yield some fruit.”
She wanted to ransom me for ships? “He won’t pay. You’ll only provoke him.” Whether that was true or not, I wanted her to believe it.
“So much the better. Whether he sends ships as payment for your safety or he sends ships to attack, they would have to get through the Strait of Acodens. Our ships are smaller, but they are faster, more maneuverable. And we have fire. Much more deadly to a wooden vessel than frost is, my dear. Why do you think Frostblood raids on Sudesia have always failed?”
An invisible fist closed over my throat. Surely Arcus wouldn’t cave in to her demands?
I’d been so intoxicated by the idea of finding my own people, I’d let myself believe I’d be welcomed with open arms. Instead, the queen was planning to use me to strike at Tempesia, which now suddenly seemed like home. If Arcus responded to her threats with aggression, there could be war. I felt so stupid—small and childish—for walking into their trap.
I knew Arcus, though. He’d think through every eventuality, calculate the danger, and choose caution. He would never risk so much or trust so blindly.
“He would never trade his people’s safety for me or any individual,” I said, trying to regain my composure, to sound calm and confident.
“He will,” Kai countered. “I’d stake my life on it.”
I clutched my hands together to keep from blasting him with fire.
“You clearly wish to protect the king,” the queen observed. “Perhaps you plan to spy on me and take your information back to him.”
“I am no spy. I am not your enemy.” I realized my warning about provoking the king had been interpreted as a threat. I took a shaky breath and tried to repair the damage. “The king has no ill intentions toward you. In fact, he has drawn up a peace treaty—”
“Peace?” She leaned forward, her dark gaze so intent that I had an urge to take a step back. “When the Frost Court is wiped out, when Firebloods rule, when the last icy breath is expelled from the very last Frostblood, dissolving in air heated by the fire of my people, then, and only then, will we have peace. I vow to Sud that I will not rest, and my heirs will not rest, until that day.”