The Dragons of Nova (Loom Saga #2)(107)
“Certainly.” The woman gave a thin-lipped smile, submissive and demure. Petra wondered what the Dono saw in her at all. She was nothing more than a coward. “Please, Xin’Oji, come with me. Lysip is a far ride from Ruana and you must be tired after such tragedy has struck your House.”
Petra’s hands vibrated from the tension her muscles were under as the Rok’Ryu had the boldness to mention her plot against Petra’s home. She wanted to rip the woman limb from limb. But that pursuit of revenge would have to wait. She only had Finnyr’s word to go on, one Yveun would vehemently deny. As the Rok’Oji, his word was law in approving all duels for the members of his House, and he would not see Petra’s claims against Coletta as viable for a duel.
Killing Coletta’Ryu was going to be a much longer game.
“You are too kind.” Petra smiled as wide as she could, her lips curling back, her fangs showing.
“House Rok is quite invested in the future of House Xin. We have been for many years,” Coletta spoke as she led Petra down a long hall. The Riders and half the staff followed them. Petra knew any would say it was to ensure they were waited on hand and foot. But she knew the truth—it was a visual reminder of Rok’s strength. No matter how skilled a fighter Petra was, if she attacked the Rok’Oji, they would show her no quarter. “We would not want to move against your ends.”
Petra responded to lies with lies. “And House Xin is nothing but loyal in no half measures to House Rok for their kindness.”
Coletta smiled falsely in reply. They were both speaking the same language.
“We can wait in here.” Coletta motioned to a lavish parlor that overlooked a private garden. It smelled strongly of the woman and had a lived-in look. Petra bristled at the realization that she’d been led into the asp’s den. “Yeaan, please fetch some appropriate refreshments for the Oji and me. Topann, please see to finding the Oji’s brother. The rest of you, please return to your duties. There is no need to overwhelm the Xin’Oji.”
“Coletta’Ryu, the Riders would like to stand guard,” the woman from earlier insisted.
Petra wracked her mind for how to make sure they did indeed stay. The more people who were around, the fewer could run into Cvareh. But she had no reason to demand an audience.
“I don’t think it necessary. Let us not insult out guest by even implying that she may do something underhanded.” Coletta smiled almost sweetly. “I am perfectly safe with the honorable Xin’Oji.”
Petra wanted to tell her she was anything but. However, there was truth to the words. Petra respected the Dragons’ ways. She would not lower herself to killing a Ryu outside of a pit; she was better than this woman at least in that respect.
“It is the wish of the Rok’Oji,” the Riders insisted.
“Very well, then outside with you so we may relax.”
That seemed to satisfy their wishes, and the Riders assumed their places on the other side of the door. Petra listened closely after it closed for footsteps walking away, but heard none. So her presence tied up the Rok’Ryu and the Riders. It was something, at the very least.
“Thank you for your hospitality, Coletta’Ryu.”
“It’s just us, Petra’Oji, you don’t need to pretend any longer.” The woman tilted her head to the side in amusement. Something about her demeanor shifted. It was like a cat had grown into a lion in mere moments. Where there had been something unassuming before, now stood a menace.
This was the woman who had killed her House in cold-blooded shadows.
“I’m afraid I do not know of what you speak.”
One of Coletta’s servants, Yeaan, returned with a tray. She crossed silently to the center of the room, laying out a small assortment of fruits and cheese with two wine glasses. One vessel was set out for Coletta, the other placed on Petra’s side of the table.
Petra stared at the offending liquid. The woman before her was a monster. Putting in front of her the means she had used to kill her people like a trophy. Petra’s nose scrunched at the scent of the wine.
“What is this?” Petra motioned to the glasses, unable to keep the comment to herself.
“Wine from Ruana. I wanted to make you feel at home.”
Was this woman so bold that she would really kill an Oji behind closed doors? Petra approached the unassuming vessels as though they could fly off the table and strike at any moment.
“It is quite safe, I assure you. A different vintage than what was consumed at Court.”
“A strange happening, that,” Petra said quietly. “How all of the wine, from different vineyards, different wineries, was so deadly.”
“Truly an inexplicable tragedy.”
“One could explain it as poison.”
Coletta turned, the fading light of day catching the red of her eyes and making them glow ominously as she assessed Petra. She smiled again. This time, the edge of a canine crept from behind her lips. “You speak of dangerous things, Petra’Oji.”
“I believe I stand before a very dangerous woman.” It was a dance of words, neither wanting to cross the line into overt threats.
“I am the Rok’Ryu.” Coletta hummed quietly, walking to the edge of the table. “And Petra, I have been watching you for some time.”
Petra bristled at the lack of title attached to her name. That was something, almost enough of something, to challenge the woman on. But still, they had no witnesses to the offense and plenty of people who would lie and object, and stand for the Ryu. As much as she desired it, Petra reminded herself that she would not be killing the Rok’Ryu this night.