Page 21 of Hollow Court
Gallagher cut in again.
“It’s not that I’m not sympathetic, but given…everything, do you think the benefits of this”—he hesitated, searching for a word—“arrangementoutweigh the risks to Lithlinglau? That the people will even accept her?”
He sounded equal parts challenging and curious. Gwyn nodded her agreement.
“Stars know I understand wanting more than a dutiful marriage, Dav, but what about the rebels?” she pressed. “They aren’t thrilled with our newfangled friendship with Socair as it is. You really think they’ll just accept her with open arms?”
I considered that, my mind going back to how well my conversation with the soldiers had gone, and they weren’t even privy to the entire story. They were just one small piece of this equation, but their reactions had been a fair gauge of what was to come.
“Not to mention, the scandal when you eventually call off the engagement—” Gal added before I finally interrupted.
“Yes, I’ve considered those things. I wouldn’t have brought her if I hadn’t.”
“I’m not sure that’s strictly true,” Gwyn countered, her judgmental auburn brows rising to her hairline. “No offense, but it would hardly be the first timeLittle Davinhas led you astray.”
“Yes, offense, Gwyn. There’s nothing little about—”
A pillow came hurtling toward my face from Gwyn’s bed, and I barely blocked it in time. Gal made a circling motion to get back to the point.
“I did think it through.”Mostly.“This might only be the best of several rather mediocre plans to secure the vote, but it’s what we’ve got.”
Gwyn popped another bite of cheese into her mouth, surveying me closely, like I was a carnival monkey. Her brother, on the other hand, was gracious enough to pour two glasses of vodka and a glass of water, handing the latter to his sister, since she hated both the taste of alcohol and the way it made her feel.
He stretched his arm out to hand me the other glass of vodka, but when I went to take it, he pulled back.
“And you’re sure it’s not more than that? It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if the betrothal was real.”
I snorted, thinking of Galina’s vehement denial last night.
“Maybe not to you,” I told him.
And of course, that’s when the door to the adjoining room pushed the rest of the way open.
Galina stood in the doorway, her wet hair braided back from her face. Anyone else would have looked like a drowned rat. But even fresh out of the bath and bundled in a bulky dressing gown, Galina was alluring enough that I had to forcibly avert my gaze before I made an arse of myself staring at her.
She was like an ice sculpture, though, pristine and perfect and endlessly cold.
As if to prove that thought, her tone was even more frigid than usual when she broke the uneasy silence that had fallen.
“Your bath is ready, Lady Gwyn,” she told my cousin.
Gwyn nodded her thanks, following Galina back into their room and shutting the door with a brief goodbye. A hush rang out in their wake, Gal and I both sipping thoughtfully at our drinks.
I cleared my throat uncomfortably. “As I said, it’s a short-term affair.”
He shook his head, his eyes churning with an emotion I couldn’t quite read.
“They always are with you.”
They Loyalty Conundrum
DAVIN
A Year and a Half Ago
It was harder being back at Elk than it had been at Ram. Though Rowan had only spent a few days here, this place reminded me more of her.
Of failure—mine, specifically—to keep her safe from this mess we had landed ourselves in. Though through the spies I had discovered and the network I was amassing, I was trying like hell to find a way to get her home.