Defend the Dawn (Defy the Night #2)(23)

They’re certainly not after his charming disposition.

I hope he’ll avoid me, but I’m never that lucky. He makes a beeline right for us, and I try not to sigh.

“Corrick!” he says. “I’d like to introduce Laurel Pepperleaf, the daughter of one of my barons. I’ve insisted that we join you for dinner.”

I inwardly sigh. I’d rather have Roydan and Arella.

I haven’t met Laurel Pepperleaf, but I know of her. She’s the daughter of Landon Pepperleaf, one of the wealthiest landowners in Allisander’s sector. She’s prettier than he deserves, with long, shining blond hair, and lips painted a glossy red. Her dress is yellow satin, with diamonds lining every seam. It’s both expensive and provocative, and I’m intrigued enough to meet her eyes, wondering if she’s with Allisander for her own reasons, or for his. “Laurel,” I say. “A pleasure.”

She offers a slight curtsy. “Your Highness,” she says. Her eyes meet mine boldly, but there’s no disrespect there. “The pleasure is mine.”

“This is Tessa Cade,” I say, because Allisander would fall over dead before he’d acknowledge the girl on my arm. “The king has asked her to act as adviser regarding the Moonflower elixir dosages.”

“I’ve heard about your research, Miss Cade,” Laurel says. “I find it rather intriguing, especially as our production has been cut by half.”

“Oh!” Tessa says in surprise. “I do, too. I’m sorry—did you say your production has been cut by half?”

“Yes,” says Allisander. “As I’ve said, we are having our own challenges from both weather conditions and labor shortages, while you keep promising more medicine for free.”

“Which is why I would love to hear more about your theories,” Laurel says. “I specifically asked Consul Sallister to make an introduction while I was at court.”

“Did you.” I look right at Allisander and take a sip of my wine.

He gives me a level look right back. “And here we are, making an introduction.” He takes a sip of his own.

The door to the room swings open, and I expect my brother, but instead, I get Quint. He strides through to join us. Allisander looks like he wants to snarl at him, so I head that off at the pass. There was a time when the consul could have chased Quint out of a room by virtue of his position, but right now, Allisander is living on borrowed time. I don’t care if I irritate him.

“Quint,” I say. “Join us.” I seize a glass of wine from an approaching servant and offer it to my friend. “Have you met Laurel Pepperleaf?”

“I have, in fact.” He takes the glass, then nods to Tessa and to Laurel. “I’m glad you both could join us. The king should arrive shortly.”

Allisander’s lip curls. “And these boatmen will be joining us, too?”

He sounds like he expects them to drift up to the palace gates on a crudely tied raft. “The emissary?” I say. “Yes. Captain Blakemore and a few members of his crew.”

“I understand they have their own supply of Moonflower. Surely you don’t believe these claims, Corrick. There were thieves all over Kandala. These petals could be from anywhere. This captain could have loaded a ship in Sunkeep, sailed for a day, and turned up in Artis with the exact same story.”

“Tessa examined the petals,” I say. “They’re legitimate.” I pause. “And I rather doubt they came from Moonlight Plains. You were supplanting yours with a faulty supply, were you not?”

He inhales sharply, ready to bluster, but Laurel says, “My father has taken a much greater interest in our sector’s exports. I don’t believe you will be finding many more faulty shipments, Your Highness.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” I say.

Allisander is scowling. He turns to Laurel. “We should find you some refreshments.” He doesn’t wait for a response, but he just shifts as if to guide her away toward the table.

She’s hardly gone for a second before Quint drops his voice to say, “Baron Pepperleaf has apparently made some remarks that he would like to be considered for consul if Allisander were removed from power.”

“Well, now I understand why she’s making a point to seem like she has him in hand.”

Tessa looks at me. “Has their production really been cut in half?”

I wince. “You heard him during the meeting with Lochlan. We can demand all we want, but if there really is a supply issue, there’s not much to be done about it. I can’t control the weather. What am I going to do, threaten to throw his remaining workers in the Hold?”

“Then having a new consul would be a good thing, right? He could fix things? If he’s opposed to what Allisander was doing?”

“It could be,” I say. She looks so hopeful that I hate to be pragmatic in the face of it. “If he truly is opposed.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means I find it hard to believe that Allisander’s wealthiest baron had no idea what was going on.”

Her mouth forms a line. “So … you think he’s just saying what you want to hear while Allisander is in trouble.”

“Yes. And his daughter appearing at court with so much enthusiasm for your findings is a bit much. You’ve seen what happens when people believe I’m courting another. It’s just one more avenue for deceit.” I roll my eyes and take a sip from my glass.