Land of Night by Kirby Crow Read Free Book Online Page B

courtier as they passed by a knot of brightly-garbed young men idling under an arch. The young man turned all the way around to stare at her, even after they passed. “After betrothal to a crown prince, I was either too high or too low for any man at court. As wife, at any rate. I had many offers of becoming a mistress."
    "I was not the crown prince,” Liall muttered. “That was Nadei."
    "That is not the way they remember it."
    They, of course, were Liall's people, the subjects of Queen Nadiushka, his mother. “So, whose mistress are you now?” he asked sharply, wanting to wound her.
    "My own."
    That, at least, was truth, and something he could believe. “I wish to talk to you about Vladei,” he said abruptly, naming his eldest step-brother.
    "Talk, then. What is there to say?” She turned her head, her chin lifted proudly, and smiled at him as they passed open door after open door, enjoying the attention they were drawing. “Vladei wants to be king. He has some claim, after all. Your mother wants Cestimir to be king. That is only natural, since Cestimir is her son and Vladei merely a step-son. But Cestimir is only fourteen. Vladei is a man of your years and already rules a large barony. He is tested and tried, and the barons know him, even if they do not like him. Cestimir is only a child."
    "So you put the queen's choice down to mere sentimentality?” Liall snorted. “You know her better than that."
    "Everyone knows her better than that,” she quipped. “And yet, Nadiushka felt the need to send for you. She feels her case is weak."
    "Little wonder, with enemies like you working against her."
    "I am not her enemy, Nazheradei. Or yours. I am simply more on my side than anyone else's."
    Though it was growing late, the Nauhinir was filled with sounds and light and movement. Liall was very aware of the many eyes on them. He pitched his voice low. “Tell me what Vladei plans."
    Her sudden laugh was so bright that it made heads turn. “My dear prince,” she answered in that same low tone “even if I knew, why in the world would I tell you?"
    "Profit,” Liall answered easily. “One thing you can always be counted on to do, lady, is act in your own self-interest. Aid Cestimir, and you will prosper."
    "Cestimir called me a poisonous bitch last winter,” she said, nodding and smiling to an admirer.
    "As you say, he is a child."
    "If that excuses him for his tongue then it should excuse him from the throne!” she shot back, with her first touch of venom.
    "Ah,” Liall smiled. “There is the loving tone I know.” He began to lead her past yet another salon, when Vladei and Eleferi stepped out of the door.
    The brothers were a matched pair, both with the pure white hair of the Lukaska line, both tall and lean with long, elegant hands and rugged, aquiline features so like Liall's own, but there were differences. Vladei, the elder, had a larger nose and his eyes were misty gray, not blue. Eleferi was smaller than either of them, and his face was leaner with a sly cast, almost like a fox. Eleferi's hair was longer and pulled back from his face with a gold ribbon.
    "Lady Shikhoza,” Vladei said loudly, again calling attention to them. His humorless mouth smiled. “What a lovely gown."
    Shikhoza bowed a little, giving Vladei an inviting look.
    Yes, Liall thought. She is still beautiful, and yet, I would cut my hand off before touching her again.
    "I chose it in honor of our returned prince,” Shikhoza said to Vladei. Her manicured hands with their painted nails smoothed the folds of her red tarica. “It is his favorite color."
    Not on you, Liall yearned to say. Her skin was gold, not purest cream, and her eyes had no love for him, only spite and a desire to harm. He knew she was not above her pettiness, either, and that these jibes would continue.
    "You show me too much favor, dear Shikhoza,” Liall said, and saw the barb sink into Vladei. His step-brother had never forgiven him for taking Shikhoza away, though the