The Immortal Prince by Jennifer Fallon Read Free Book Online Page B

Stellan to Caelum to explain—as tactfully as possible—that in Glaeba, such an arrangement was considered not just awkward, but actually immoral, however, if the queen would like Glaeba to consider the princess as a suitable consort for their crown prince at some point in the future, once she reached a more suitable age, then he’d be happy to consider the offer.
    It was a testament to Stellan’s skill as a diplomat that he had been able to refuse the proposal on behalf of the Glaeban king and walk away with both his head on his shoulders and Caelum still an ally of Glaeba. But there was still a degree of residual resentment among the Caelish who suspected King Enteny’s refusal had something to do with their Princess Nyah not being good enough for a sodding Glaeban, rather than the stated cultural differences that made such a union untenable.
    â€œAnd again I ask—what do you expect me to do about it?” she said, as it dawned on her that this was no prank, but a deadly serious matter.
    â€œYou work with the Crasii,” Declan reminded her. “You know a lot about their lore and the Tide Lords.”
    â€œThey’re a myth,” Arkady assured him. “There ends my knowledge.”
    â€œYour husband says otherwise.”
    Arkady glared at Stellan, wondering what else he’d told her old friend, before turning back to the spymaster. “Even if I knew everything there was to know about them, Declan—which I don’t, incidentally—I still don’t see what some child’s fairytale—which I know for a fact you don’t believe in—has to do with this madman.”
    It was Stellan, not Declan, who answered her. “Declan suggested you may be able to prove this man is lying, Arkady.”
    â€œAnd I’d very much like your expert testimony to that fact at his next execution hearing.”
    Arkady shook her head. “He’s claiming he’s a Tide Lord, for pity’s sake. That sort of says it all, don’t you think?”
    â€œWe can live with the lies, Arkady,” Stellan assured her. “It’s the insanity plea I’m trying to avoid.”
    Arkady was far from convinced. “There must be somebody else? What about Andre Fawk? He’s far better qualified than me. Tides, Declan’s grandfather knows more about the Crasii than any man alive. Why not ask him?”
    â€œAndre doesn’t live here in Lebec,” her husband pointed out. “He has commitments in Herino that will be remarked upon if he neglects them. Bringing another expert from the capital will take days and alert the Caelish Ambassador to our problem. We can’t risk that happening until we have proof this man claiming to be a Tide Lord is faking insanity to avoid the execution.”
    â€œAs for my grandfather…” Declan hesitated for a moment and then shrugged. “You’ve much more credibility. You’re the Duchess of Lebec and a historian in your own right. Pop is just an old man who lives in the slums.”
    Arkady frowned at the description, wondering what it would take to reconcile Declan and his grandfather. Then she smiled at him, mischievously. “I don’t suppose you’ve considered the possibility that he’s telling the truth?” she teased. “He might really be immortal.”
    Declan wasn’t amused. “Please, Arkady, this is no joking matter. Will you do it?”
    Arkady still hesitated. The decision wasn’t an easy one. She had no particular desire to spend time with a cold-blooded killer who’d murdered a family he claimed he’d picked at random and then gave the reason for his crime when he was discovered standing over the bodies as “I envy their ability to die.” Even Arkady knew about that. The case had been news, on and off, for months.
    On a professional level, however, to have anybody recognise her as something other than the Duke of Lebec’s