A Promise of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles, #1)(115)

Urania’s almost-clear green eyes narrow. “Gods. Powerful magic. There are things at play here. Things we should land on the right side of if we value our lives.” Truth.

“But Gods backing Hoi Polloi?” Oreste asks, seeming more surprised and interested than inherently bothered by the notion.

“It’s not impossible. Don’t forget, they have the mysterious Magoi woman already,” his father reminds him. “Fisan, I heard, which is something in itself. She must see something in them, or at least in Beta Sinta. And never underestimate Hoi Polloi when they decide to fight for something they want. They may be mongrels, but mongrels can be vicious.”

Griffin? A mongrel? And I was starting to like these people. They didn’t fry me once with lies to each other during their whole conversation.

“Sinta will be stronger with all these projects for new roads, schools, and healing centers. Not to mention a growing and loyal Hoi Polloi army, and royals who actually care about defending the realm and not just about themselves.” Urania’s eyes stray to Griffin. Everyone is looking at Griffin. All the time. He’s that magnetic. “Just look at him. This Power Bid won’t be like any other. Maybe Tarva should be worried about Sinta this time, and not the other way around.”

I shift uncomfortably in my sandals. All this talk of invasion, whichever way around, makes me feel like I’m about to pop out with hives.

“And Fisa?” Oreste asks.

Both his parents shrug. Then Agatone says, “Alpha Fisa is a viper. She’ll only strike if you get too close.”

They’ve secluded themselves for too long already, and sensing curious looks from the other guests, the family moves back into the main part of the room. I very much doubt they’ll say anything of interest to the other nobles, at least not tonight, so I leave and come back without turning invisible this time, having already heard enough.

Griffin spots me almost immediately and brings me to Jocasta, handing me a glass of chilled wine. As the three of us circulate, they introduce me as Jocasta’s friend, but from the way Griffin keeps a possessive hand on my lower back, it’s clear I’m more. At Griffin’s side, I draw more attention than I’ve ever wanted, and whispers of “Fisan” and “Magoi” and “power” blanket the air, suffocating me.

After a while, Griffin maneuvers me into an alcove much like the one I was in earlier and leans close to my ear. “Have you picked up anything about Ios?”

I nod, accidentally sending shooting pains through my aching head. “Confirmation of what we already thought. It’s probably the Tarvan royals who sent that tribe to attack.”

Griffin looks back up. “Who thinks that?”

I shift my gaze to the right. “Most notably, the white-haired Water Mage over there, Agatone, and his wife, Urania. She’s the snake charmer.”

“And poison master.”

I nod just a little this time. Griffin’s studying is paying off.

“They’re intrigued. And impressed. They didn’t say it in so many words, but if the Power Bid heats up, I think you have their support.”

“They’d fight with me?” Griffin asks, seeming surprised.

“Well, they wouldn’t fight against you, and that’s already something.”

His eyes glint with satisfaction. “They’re key players. Others will follow their lead.”

“Cultivating their goodwill is important,” I agree. “And they seem reasonable and intelligent, which is a good start.”

“What else?” Griffin asks.

“Calandra of Mylos. Smile at her, say jump, and she’ll ask how high,” I say sourly.

Griffin lifts his eyebrows at my tone.

“She’s the important one in her couple,” I continue, “with both the money and the magic. Her husband married up. She has a weakness for pretty men and, apparently, strange and violent sexual encounters.” I make a face, wishing I hadn’t gotten a vivid taste of that truth. “He gives her what she wants, and he gets a high-ranking position in return.” I glance at Griffin. “She took one look at you and decided everything was great. I guess she thinks you’re pretty.”

“Gods forbid,” Griffin mutters.

I smile weakly. I have a headache the size of Zeus’s ego, and I’m burning up. I touch my fingers to my forehead, finding it clammy. “She’s not the most powerful Magoi here, but she’s rich, and she’s protected by her city’s defenses.”

“Mylos has the knowledge scrolls, and every temple containing them has its own company of guards. Altogether, there’s practically an army there, and the commander listens to local nobles like Calandra. She’d make a strong ally, and a potentially difficult enemy. I’ll have to make sure she stays on my side,” Griffin says, finding the statuesque blonde with his eyes.

My voice sours further. “Yes, but without any weird sex.”

The corners of his mouth twitch at my jealous tone. I could swear his chest puffs out. “Anything else?”

“Lots of things, but nothing to worry about. You have everyone thoroughly terrified and impressed with the way you so easily disposed of the previous royal family. The news has traveled from Fisa that someone in Sinta killed Sybaris, and they assume it was you, or at least something to do with you. Then there are the melted Tarvans.” And a possible intervention from Zeus. “And, of course, there’s also the mysterious and powerful Magoi working for you—the one drawing nearly as much attention as you are,” I say unhappily.