Hunter's Season (Elder Races #4.7)(7)

She said, “The place is—crowded and chaotic. Lord Thruvial thought he could relax in some relative anonymity there. He was well away from Adriyel’s politics and the trials of all the other conspirators. He believed that since you could not find enough evidence of his involvement in the overthrow and murder of your father and family that he would not be pursued further.”

Aubrey looked steadily across the table at the deadly face of the man who sat opposite him. Thruvial had not only been a pig, but an idiot.

Xanthe said, “Since I was the most junior of his triad, for a long time I was not allowed to perform any of the more intimate tasks of service to him, like serving him food and drink or helping him to dress.”

“She was in his household for months,” Tiago told Aubrey. “It never fails to surprise me how ass**les like Thruvial insist on Dark Fae traditions like keeping triads of personal servants, but then they can turn around and murder their own king.”

Triads were found throughout all aspects of the Dark Fae daily life, from the highest place in government to fighting formations and servant clusters. Often in society, married couples brought a third sex partner to the marriage bed, although Aubrey had never felt inclined to do so.

He gave Tiago a dark smile. “That is not inconsistent, my friend. Our traditions of violence, jealousy, revenge, and making and breaking political alliances, go deeper than any triad.”

Tiago snorted. “Point.” He said to Xanthe, “So Thruvial finally relaxed and let you get close enough.”

“Yes, but even so, I had to wait for the right moment to act so that it could not be traced back to me. When the opportunity finally came, I poisoned his wine.” Her voice was composed and steady. “He died quickly. Unfortunately that was not the end of it.”

Aubrey settled back in his chair, watching her face as she told the story. There were odd, intriguing freckles, light like sprinkles of gold, on her nose and cheeks. Her eyes were unusual too, a deep, rich color full of shadows and mystery. Her face was gently planed, with high cheekbones and a narrow rounded jaw. Now that he came to really study her, he realized she had a shockingly sensual mouth. She would never be considered one of the high beauties of the Dark Fae, but she did have her own particular attractiveness.

“There was trouble?” Tiago asked.

“Yes. A young medusa also resided in Devil’s Gate, and she was known to argue publicly with Lord Thruvial. When his other attendants found him poisoned, they started an outcry that ran through the camp. They insisted that she was the one who poisoned him, and she was taken and locked up to be hung.” Her expression turned bitter. “The whole thing was entirely my fault. I did not consider all the ramifications of what might happen if I killed him in such a fashion. I simply saw my opportunity and took it.”

Niniane leaned forward. “You can’t consider how everybody might react to something. It’s too much to ask of yourself.”

Other than a quick glance at the Queen, Aubrey’s gaze returned to Xanthe’s face. He was interested to note that her self-recriminating expression hadn’t changed even though the Queen herself offered absolution. This young soldier had a strong set of scruples.

He asked in a quiet voice, “Is the medusa girl all right?”

She turned to him quickly. “Yes, my lord. While I waited and watched for an opportunity to help, her aunt and a friend came. Together we were all able to get out.” She looked at Tiago and Niniane. “You actually know them—it was Duncan Turner and Dr. Seremela Telemar.”

Aubrey was acquainted with Duncan slightly, for he had met the young Vampyre when Niniane had travelled from Chicago to Adriyel for her coronation. Niniane had been accompanied by a Dark Fae delegation, along with the Vampyre Carling Severan, who had been a member of the Elder tribunal, and her attendants. Aubrey didn’t know the physician, but it was clear from Tiago and Niniane’s intense startlement that they knew both of the others.

“You already said that everybody is all right, but how are Duncan and Seremela?” Niniane asked. She sounded wistful. “I would love to see them again.”

“They were quite well when I took my leave,” Xanthe told her. “And so was Dr. Telemar’s niece. They said to offer you their very best wishes.”

Tiago nodded to her in approval. “Despite your misgivings, it sounds like all ended well.”

She hesitated. “That’s not all, sir.”

Aubrey set his cup down as Tiago’s eyes narrowed. “What is it?”

She straightened her knife in precise alignment with her fork, gaze focused on her hand, as she said, “Lord Thruvial’s other two attendants caught up with us before we could get clear away. Duncan Turner and I had to kill them. The fight was not quiet, and there may have been witnesses. Before that point, I had declared publicly that I was in support of the young medusa’s innocence.” This time when she lifted her gaze, her expression was resigned. “I’m the only surviving member from Thruvial’s household, and I disappeared right after his attendants were killed. For any particularly clever observer, it would not be hard to put two and two together, and there were any number of clever people at Devil’s Gate. With information now flowing freely from America into Adriyel…” She let her voice trail away into silence.

Tiago folded his arms as he regarded her. “Your identity has been compromised. I cannot use you for other undercover assignments.”