The Dragons of Nova (Loom Saga #2)(64)

Petra took her time reasoning through this. The logic stood. If she had committed a moment’s thought to it, she likely could’ve reached the same conclusion herself. She eased her hand away from Finnyr’s throat.

“Now, sister, you did not tell me you had such a fierce fighter you were training up within House Xin.” Finnyr spoke lightly, as though she hadn’t just threatened his life. All was forgiven to the Oji of the House when the Oji had only acted in the best interest of the Dragons whom she sought to protect.

“I prefer to keep many surprises.” Petra would not give Finnyr the knowledge of Arianna. She, Cvareh and apparently Cain had managed to keep the truth of her to themselves, and she would see it remained so.

“How many others do you train?”

“Enough to see this Crimson Court to its bloated conclusion.”

“Enough to fight against House Rok?”

Petra scowled at the horizon. “No.”

Far out there was the Isle of Lysip, the largest island on Nova and the most overrun with fighters. Floating between them was the Isle of Gwenri, home of Tam. And another House’s worth of Dragons who would fight for the sake of keeping the status quo.

“Such numbers will never be found on Nova.”

“On Nova?” Finnyr knew her too well. He knew where the important parts of her phrasing lay.

“Tell me more about the Dono.”

“There is not much to say.”

Useless. “You live in his home. You eat his food. You mingle with his other To and you gossip in Lysip’s tea parlors. There must be more to say.”

“The Dono is his own Oji as well. He keeps people at claw’s length and only tells them of his plans and movements when he deems it essential for them to know.”

Petra stared down Finnyr from the corners of her eyes. “You have done well enough making yourself so small that things are said in your presence without concern. Learning of why there was always a Rider stationed at that records room has paid well in dividends.”

Finnyr remained silent.

“You must have heard something else of use to our House.”

“I did hear that Yveun went beneath Lysip not more than a month before the Court.”

“Beneath?” she emphasized for clarity. “Why would Yveun lower himself to such measures?”

“I don’t know.”

Petra cursed. “Find out.”

“It would be easier if he trusted me.”

“Then go back and earn his trust.”

“I am House Xin, I will never earn his trust.” Finnyr sighed heavily. “Unless…”

“Unless?”

“You give me something I could use as a bartering chip to do it.” Finnyr seemed determined to toe dangerous lines. She ground her teeth together, reminding herself not to rip out his throat. “Give me something small, something that changes nothing. I could spin it into a lie, even, but the best lie has a grain of truth. Tell me how you are training Dragons like this Ari—for he now knows you have the means for warriors such as her. Tell me of your work on the refineries; are you putting gold aside for Xin? You must be; Yveun would assume this anyway, my saying so would pose no extra risk. Or Cvareh’s journey to Loom. Yveun seeks our brother’s blood already, him knowing how his Riders were killed would not satiate that lust for violence. And he would certainly not share the truth, as the whole affair is a source of shame considering how many Riders he lost.”

“No,” Petra spoke quietly, stopping him before he could think of any more useless ideas. “Your words are near treason, Finnyr. You will not bargain our truths for his favor. That makes us exactly what he wants House Xin to be: loyal at all costs. If you must tell him anything, fabricate something. Tell him whatever you please.”

“He will know if I am lying. He’ll see it lacks no substance!”

“Than become a better liar.”

“Petra, I cannot help you if you will not let me in!” A familiar hurt colored Finnyr’s voice. “I cannot be loyal to House Xin if I do not know what House Xin needs.”

“House Xin needs information on Rok. House Xin needs you to relay information pertinent to our success.”

“And I—”

“I have spoken.” Petra cut him short. She’d had enough of this tantrum. “Go back to the Dono’s temporary estate and come back to me tomorrow with something tangible. Have some self-respect as a Xin’Kin and make use of yourself to our House.”

“The Dono has told me that I would stay in the Xin Manor during the Court.”

“The Dono does not decide who sleeps in my halls, and he would do well to remember it.” Furthermore, Petra could not stand to look at Finnyr for a second longer. Not after this slew of disappointments. If he returned to the manor, she might kill him before the night was over, just so the mere knowledge of his ineptitude couldn’t shame her further.

“Petra—”

“I have spoken!” Her teeth clicked together as she slammed them shut into a half snarl. “Now leave, Finnyr.”

Finnyr looked at her as if considering disobedience. Lucky for them both, he retreated. Petra took a deep breath of the air that was wholly hers the moment he left.

She had somehow managed to avoid killing Finnyr for over three decades, but every time he was around her it was a test of her resolve on the matter. He was the embodiment of all that she loathed: entitlement without effort, weakness, proximity to House Rok. Petra would not kill a member of House Xin without good reason, especially not her elder brother.