He flexed his jaw.
“If you are incapable of finding her, then I will have a regiment of my own guards dispersed to Earth, and they will find her.”
“That will not be necessary,” said Torin. “We apologize for doubting you, Your Majesty, and are eager to fulfill our country’s part of the agreement. Please allow us time to prepare for the coronation and the festival, and we will begin our search for the fugitive as soon as resources allow.”
Levana narrowed her eyes at Kai. “Do you intend to always let your adviser make your decisions for you?”
“No,” said Kai, allowing a cold smile. “Eventually, I’ll have an empress for that.”
Queen Levana’s gaze softened, and Kai barely bit back his next words. And it won’t be you.
“Fine,” said Levana, turning away and seating herself beside her thaumaturge. “I will expect her, along with any other Lunar fugitives in the country, delivered to Luna one moon cycle after your coronation.”
“Fine,” said Kai, hoping that Levana would forget this conversation before the time came. Lunars in New Beijing—he’d never heard anything so absurd.
The anger vanished so completely from Levana’s face that it seemed the past few minutes had been a dream. She crossed her legs, so that the slit in her sheer dress displayed a swath of milk-white skin. Kai set his jaw and stared out the window, not knowing if he was going to blush or gag.
“Speaking of your coronation,” said the queen, “I have brought you a gift.”
“How thoughtful,” he deadpanned.
“Yes. I wasn’t sure if I should save it for the big night, but I’ve determined that it might give the wrong impression if I were to withhold it.”
Unable to deny his piqued curiosity, Kai eyed the queen. “Is that so?”
She inclined her head, auburn curls cascading over her bosom, and extended her fingers toward her second thaumaturge, the man in the red coat. He produced a glass vial, no larger than Kai’s pinkie finger, from his sleeve and placed it on Levana’s palm.
“I want you to know,” said Levana, “that I have a very keen interest in the welfare of the Commonwealth, and watching your struggle with the letumosis disease has been heartbreaking.”
Kai dug his nails into his palms.
“You are probably not aware, but I have had a research team dedicated to studying the disease for some years now, and it appears that my scientists have finally discovered an antidote.”
Blood rushed to Kai’s head. “What?”
Levana pinched the vial between her thumb and forefinger and held it out to him. “This should be enough to cure one adult male,” she said, then clicked her tongue. “Awful timing, isn’t it?”
The world spun. Kai’s fingers itched to reach out and strangle her until his entire arms were shaking.
“Go ahead,” said Levana, a persistent warmth behind her gaze. “Take it.”
Kai snatched the vial away from her. “How long have you had this?”
The queen’s brow arched upward. “Why—it was only confirmed as a true antidote hours before my departure.”
She was lying. She was not even trying to hide the fact that she was lying.
Witch.
“Your Highness,” Torin said quietly, placing a firm hand on Kai’s shoulder. At first gentle, then squeezing—warning. Kai’s pulse began to filter the fantasies of murder, but only barely.
Levana folded her hands in her lap. “That vial is your gift. I hope you will find it helpful, young prince. I believe it is in both of our interests to rid your planet of this disease. My scientists could have thousands of dosages prepared by month’s end. However, such an undertaking, coupled with six years’ worth of work and resources, has put quite a strain on my own country, and so I’m sure you’ll understand the need for compensation. That will require further negotiations.”
Kai’s lungs constricted. “You would withhold this? When so many are dying?” It was a stupid question. She’d already withheld it long enough—what was it to her if more Earthens suffered in the meantime?
“You have much to learn about politics. I think you will soon discover that it is all about give and take, my dear handsome prince.”
His pulse pounded against his temples. He knew his face had gone red, that his anger was playing right into her game, but he didn’t care. How dare she use this as a political bargaining chip? How dare she?
Sybil stood suddenly. “We have a guest.”
Releasing a pent-up breath, Kai followed Sybil’s gaze to the doorway, glad to look away from the queen, and gasped. “Nainsi!”
Nainsi’s sensor flashed. “Your Highness, I apologize for my interruption.”
Kai shook his head, trying to dispel his surprise. “How—when—?”