A Queen of Thieves & Chaos (Fate & Flame, #3)

“Yes. Likely. Unless he finds powerful allies, and I would hazard his recent actions are eliminating that possibility.” Her focus wanders over the tavern’s interior. “The air in Cirilea has become ripe with betrayal and rebellion. After so many years, I sense my time here is drawing to a close.”

That’s how a person like Bexley survives—by getting out while she can. “What about Princess Romeria?”

Bexley’s eyes snap to me. “What about her?”

“What do people around Cirilea think of her? Of what she and King Zander are accused of. Do they believe it?”

“It depends which side you are on. Most elven want them burned on a pyre for the chaos they’ve caused. And mortals … well, they pray for help from the Ybarisans as they watch their brethren die and their children taken.”

My chest tightens. “And which side are you on?”

“The side that benefits me.”

I quietly wait for her to give a better answer. At least she’s honest.

She flips the coin between her fingers, caressing her thumb over the emblem as if it might rub off. “I believe the exiled king and the princess together held many secrets. But plans to destroy Islor was never one of them. I hardly think their intentions will matter, though, if the fates are involved.”

She’s being far more candid than I expected. It makes me want to return the favor. “They are involved. They have been for a long time.”

She lets out a long, slow sigh. “It sounds like Princess Romeria should secure allies wherever she can find them, then.”

Either Bexley is fishing, or she’s already decided I’m closely linked to Romeria. “She has found some unlikely ones, yes.” I hesitate. Bexley once told me that she couldn’t be trusted, but that she would never pretend otherwise. “Can she count on you as well?”

A grim smile of satisfaction tells me Bexley got the answer she wanted. “I could be her greatest one. But I could also be her worst enemy.” Something blazes in her eyes. “I never give valuable information without gaining something equally valuable in return. That is true for anyone who enters my establishment, whether it be pauper or prince, or a princess masquerading as a commoner.”

Is she talking about the last time we met here? Or has she figured me out, here and now?

“It is also true for those who seek information from great distances, like the scribes of Mordain, who have been very eager to learn all they can about Cirilea and the late High Priestess Margrethe. They know far more about both the past and the future than anyone gives them credit for. All they need is to utter the word prophecy, and I listen very carefully, and I learn of things about the fates and the nymphs that would strike fear into the hearts of many should they come to pass.”

I steady my breathing. Bexley said nymphs. She must have learned about the prophecy from the scribes. She knows, and she’s testing me. “Like what?”

“I think I have been generous already. It is your turn now.” She holds up the coin between two fingers, the emblem out. “What does this mean?”

My gut tells me now is not the time to lie. “It’s the mark of Ulysede, a kingdom built by the nymphs and hidden for tens of thousands of years.”

“But it is no longer hidden.”

“No. Princess Romeria opened it and now rules there.”

She sinks into the bench. “Another ruler to vie for power.”

“She’s not fighting for power. That’s not what she wants.”

“And what does Queen Romeria want, then?” She closes her fist over the coin. “What does she hope to bring to these lands, besides more chaos?”

“The end of the blood curse through the nymphs. And eventually, peace.”

Her nod is subtle. “She shares the same bleeding heart for the mortals as the exiled king. No wonder he is so smitten.”

“The exiled king who deserves to be back on his throne.”

“Time will tell if there even is a Cirilean throne before long,” she says noncommittally. “I wonder what the current king would say about this kingdom within his, if he knew?”

“Who says he doesn’t already know? Who says he didn’t receive a letter from Ulysede yesterday morning?”

“Is that so?” She sneers. Atticus must have had the chance to but didn’t tell her about the letter, and she’s not pleased with that. “I suggest you exit out the side entrance before you risk notice.” Her gaze flips behind me.

Nonchalantly, I glance over my shoulder.

Shit. Atticus is here. He’s dressed in casual clothes, so he must have snuck past Boaz’s notice. He won’t recognize me, but he’ll identify Jarek in a split second.

The warrior is already on his feet, preparing to leave.

“Thanks for the heads-up.”

“See? Wouldn’t it be wise for Her Highness to have me as an ally?”

“She was under the impression that you wouldn’t be up for that.” Whatever else she is, Bexley has always been helpful to me. “Also, she wanted me to pass on a message. An apology, actually. She couldn’t keep her end of a bargain, but she would never have caused you harm.”

Bexley studies my face as if memorizing it. “Go now. I do not wish to answer questions about you. And watch the bearded one by the door. He goes where the king does and always with his sword.”

“Noted.” I slip out of the booth, but instead of taking the hallway, I veer left, toward Kaders’s table.

The captain of the Silver Mage looks up, sees my face, and raw interest sparks in his pale blue eyes as they drag over my chest. He hasn’t changed a bit, his face still golden and weathered, his hair a wild mane of sun-kissed curls. “You here for a little deal? I don’t have one of ’em fancy marks, but my wind woman checks my drinks for any additives, if ya know what I mean.” His voice is gruff and laden with an accent. Skatranan, I think.

I know what kind of deal he’s into. I set the point of a solid gold dagger I procured from my vault on the table next to his mug, for his purview.

His greedy eyes widen.

“Meet me in the alley out back in two minutes, and we can discuss.” With that, I turn.

And bump into a broad chest.

Atticus’s broad chest.

My heart pounds, but I feign indifference. “Pardon me.” I move to step around him.

He steps with me, blocking my path. “I don’t know you.” He surveys my face with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

“And I don’t know you.” But I could kill you where you stand. My affinities crackle beneath my skin, waiting to be unleashed. But that would only complicate things. And besides, Zander doesn’t want his brother dead. In here, tonight, he’s not the king, I remind myself. I don’t have to bob and bow and play nice. “Do you need something? Because I’m on my way out.”

“Be safe out there. The city is dangerous.”

“I gathered that. You know, with all the corpses everywhere.”

A harsh look skims across his expression, but it’s gone a second later and a smarmy smile appears as he steps aside. “Have a good evening.”

I duck down the hallway and out the back, allowing myself a breath once I’m leaning against the wall. A minute later, Jarek comes around the corner, having taken another exit.

“Bexley made you right away.” And she might have made me, too, though I have no idea how.

“We need to go now.”