Page 5 of Onyx Cage: Volume II

This is your fault, Evander.

I ignored her greeting, looking past her to where my father was conversing in low tones with Samu.

“I’m surprised you left your father’s pet unattended.” These words were quieter, but still edged with the same malicious tone she always used when offering barely concealed threats.

It took everything in me not to react. Did she know Rowan had escaped in the night? Or was she merely taunting me because she knew damned good and well that Rowan belonged tome. No one else; not even the duke.

Raising my eyebrows like I didn’t have a care in the world, I met her gaze, responding in a low tone that matched hers. “Lochlannians have never been more than a passing diversion to the men in this family. But I don’t have to tell you that.”

She clenched her jaw, but I noticed her face fall slightly, like she was disappointed not to get a rise out of me.

Twenty-one years of experience told me that she was incapable of not gloating when she thought she had the upper hand with me. So, it had been just a taunt, then.Probably.

Still, Taisiya’s ruse would help to dispel any doubts she might have on said subject.

Mairi—Ava, opened her mouth to respond, but my father had finally noticed my presence.

“My son,” he said. “What brings you here?”

His tone was pointed enough that I knew he was genuinely lucid today.

“Didn’t you ask me for time with your pet? What pulls you away from her now?” His seemingly simple questions were laced with suspicion. His steely-blue eyes studied me, looking for flaws, tells. Any chink in my armor that might give him the answers to questions he hadn’t yet known to ask.

“I am grateful for your reward, but there is business to attend to now,” I responded quickly. “Though, it can wait until you’re finished with your tea.”

I pointedly glanced toward my stepmother.It’s not for women’s ears, was the clear implication.

On days like this, when his mind was sharp and not muddled by the dense fog that kept him so confused, it was much easierto get him alone. But on days he was feeling slightly less aware, there was a chance he would keep her to cover his mistakes.

It was a gamble every time.

And while for this occasion it was not a necessity, I could never resist the temptation to watch her expression whenever he forced her to leave.

There was always the chance that she would sabotage this alliance just because she could, though, so it was still a victory when he nodded his dismissal toward her.

Moreso, when she had to hide her responding glare as she walked away, Samu following just behind. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction at his crooked nose and slight limp that Taras had gifted him with during their last round of training.

As soon as the door closed, my father raised his graying eyebrows at me. “What business?” he asked, his expression hardening into one of calculated concern.

For the first time since Rowan had revealed Ava’s identity, it occurred to me that he must have known all along. And while he always talked aboutthe good of the clan, he would have let me blindly go on without knowing that our people, our palace, harbored a criminal of our enemies. I couldn’t help but wonder what else he knew that he didn’t speak on…

I cleared my throat, stuffing that anger back where it belonged. Now was not the time, and I knew well the role I needed to play. .

“Sir Arès has approached to offer an alliance through his daughter. He is willing to accept Taras, and his terms are agreeable.” I placed the letter in front of my father on his meticulously organized desk.

He narrowed his eyes, handling the parchment as if it were laced with poison. “What has made Lynx willing to accept analliance now, when they have insisted for so long that all they need is theirprecious sea?”

The likelihood of Elk attempting to claim the Obsidian Throne.

I debated telling him that, but it was entirely possible that it would only set him off. On the other hand, itwassuspicious, not only that Arès was willing to ally, but that he was willing to accept my second-in-command. I had to give my father something.

“He is concerned with recent events,” I said vaguely.

The duke was unlikely to push if he didn’t remember recent events, and sure to take the hint if he did. After all, as far as my father knew, we were still keeping the Lochlannian princess captive.

Another reason it was important for him to sign off on this alliance today.

A muscle worked in his jaw. “You say he is willing to accept Taras?”