Igniting Darkness (Courting Darkness Duology #2) - Robin LaFevers Page 0,181

bet, Sir Knight.” His face flushes at my words, but it is too late to change it, for the other man rolls. He wins, then doubles his bet for the next roll. As does his opponent. In no time at all, the mood around the game grows heated. The stakes have been raised. They are not just playing for coin, but for their pride.

And, they think, my attention. Possibly even my favor. It takes less than a half an hour for a fight to break out, one men bellowing “Cheater!” before launching himself at another. Around them, the crowd cheers and urges them on as they crash into one of the tables. Before they have finished, two of Pierre’s burliest guards wade in and pull them apart.

Pierre comes to stand just behind me, seething. “What do you think you are doing?”

I glance up at him with innocent eyes. “Watching the entertainment.”

He grabs my elbow and hauls me away from the flying fists. “You started this.”

“How? I wasn’t even playing.”

He glares at me. “Would you be happier confined to your chamber?”

“Of course not. I should go even more mad with boredom. You must know I am not the sort who can be cooped up for days and nights on end, stitching.”

His eyes narrow. “What would you prefer?”

“To go riding—”

“Not on your life.”

“Or hawking?”

“How stupid do you think I am, to let you out of the keep for even a minute?”

“You cannot expect me to sit here like an andiron. You said it yourself, I am not made to be a lapdog. I grow too restless, and it is not healthy for me. Besides, you don’t want me to grow soft and lazy before you even have a chance to use my skills, do you?”

His hands are balled into fists as he glares at me. “You may walk the yard. As much as you’d like. But not alone.”

“Yes, yes. My guards, I know.”

“Not only them, for I can see how easily you can twist them around your finger. Jamette will go with you.” He leans in close, bringing his lips to my ear. “No one knows where you are. No one is coming to save you, and there is no way out of this holding. Best get that through your beautiful skull.”

I reward him with an amused grin. “My, how you do go on about a demoiselle just wanting some fresh air.”

 Chapter 103

Genevieve

It takes three days, three days of pacing my small room, with no word or news of anyone—not so much as a pitcher of water to wash with—before the king decides to seek me out. Of course I have not been idle. I have spent the nights—when the hallways are thick with darkness—searching for Sybella’s room. To my immense frustration, it is not in one of the towers, which means the king has put her in the dungeon.

When I hear the latch thrown back, I think it is the guard getting ready to toss the midday meal at me. Instead, the king strides in and closes the door behind him.

His immaculate dress makes me immediately conscious of how grubby I am—it is all I can do not to fidget or tuck my unraveling braid behind my ear. Instead I square my shoulders and curtsy. He says nothing, drawing closer, his gaze roaming over me.

“You may stand,” he says at last. “I do not wish to talk to the top of your head.”

As I rise to my feet, a small sliver of hope also rises with me.

“I will tell them to bring you a bath.”

“That would be most appreciated.”

He puts his hands behind his back and saunters to the window. “It has been an interesting three days. Sir Crunard has made some very serious claims against both General Cassel and my sister. Much of what he says lines up nicely with what you have told me. But then, it would if you were lovers, would it not?”

I want to ask him about Maraud’s proof—if it was enough for him—but instead say, “I would not lie for a lover. Surely I have proved that to you at least.”

My response provokes a wry twist of his mouth. “Touché.” His mouth twists again, only this time not with humor, but with sadness. “What I would like to know is why you took him for a lover when you refused me.”

My heart drops. I knew it was inevitable that we should talk about this, but I do not relish the task. “Your Majesty, he and