The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms - By N. K. Jemisin Page 0,22

would not choose? Relad knew the answer to that question, but would he share it with me? Especially when I had nothing to offer in return?

Tender the invitation anyhow, please, I said. In the meantime, it might be wise for me to meet with others in the palace who are influential. Who would you suggest?

Tvril considered for a moment, then spread his hands. Youve already met everyone here who matters, except Relad.

I stared at him. That cant be true.

He smiled without humor. Sky is both very large and very small, Lady Yeine. There are other fullbloods, yes, but most of them waste their hours indulging all sorts of whims. He kept his face neutral, and I remembered the silver chain and collar Scimina had put on Nahadoth. Her perversity did not surprise me, for I had heard rumors of far worse within Skys walls. What astounded me was that she dared play such games with that monster.

The few fullbloods, halfbloods, and quarters who bother to do any legitimate work are often away from the palace, Tvril continued, overseeing the familys business interests. Most of them have no hope of winning Dekartas favor; he made that clear when he named his brothers children potential heirs rather than any of them. The ones who stay are the courtierspedants and sycophants for the most part, with impressive-sounding titles and no real power. Dekarta despises them, so youd do better to avoid them altogether. Beyond that there are only servants.

I glanced at him. Some servants can be useful to know.

He smiled unselfconsciously. As I said, Lady Yeineyouve already met everyone who matters. Though Im happy to arrange meetings for you with anyone you like.

I stretched, still stiff after the long hours of sitting at the Salon. As I did so, one of my bruises twinged, reminding me that I had more than earthly problems to worry about.

Thank you for saving my life, I said.

Tvril chuckled with a hint of irony, though he looked pleased. Well, as you suggested it could be useful to have influence in certain quarters.

I inclined my head to acknowledge the debt. If I have the power to help you in any way, please ask.

As you like, Lady Yeine.

Yeine.

He hesitated. Cousin, he said instead, and smiled at me over his shoulder as he left my apartment. He really was a superb diplomat. I supposed that was a necessity for someone in his position.

I went from the sitting room into my bedroom and stopped.

I thought hed never leave, said Sieh, grinning from the middle of my bed.

I took a deep breath, slowly. Good afternoon, Lord Sieh.

He pouted, flopping forward onto his belly and regarding me from his folded arms. Youre not happy to see me.

Im wondering what Ive done to deserve such attention from a god of games and tricks.

Im not a god, remember? He scowled. Just a weapon. That word was more fitting than you know, Yeine, and how it burns these Arameri to hear it. No wonder they call you a barbarian.

I sat in the reading chair beside the bed. My mother often told me I was too blunt, I said. Why are you here?

Do I need a reason? Maybe I just like being around you.

I would be honored if that were true, I said.

He laughed, high and carefree. It is true, Yeine, whether you believe me or not. He got up then and began jumping on the bed. I wondered fleetingly whether anyone had ever tried to spank him.

But? I was sure there was a but.

He stopped after his third jump and glanced at me over his shoulder, his grin sly. But its not the only reason I came. The others sent me.

For what reason?

He hopped down from the bed and came over to my chair, putting his hands on my knees and leaning over me. He was still grinning, but again there was that indefinable something in his smile that was not childlike. Not at all.

Relad isnt going to ally with you.

My stomach clenched in unease. Had he been in here all along, listening to my conversation with Tvril? Or was my strategy for survival just so painfully obvious? You know this?

He shrugged. Why would he? Youre useless to him. He has his hands full dealing with Scimina and cant afford distractions. The timeof the succession, I meanis too close.

I had suspected that as well. That was almost surely why theyd brought me here. It was probably why the family kept a scrivener in-house, to ensure that Dekarta