Igniting Darkness (Courting Darkness Duology #2) - Robin LaFevers Page 0,89

men took the girls.”

“And I believe my sister is behind this,” Pierre says quietly.

I laugh, surprising everyone. “How, brother dear? I have been here the entire time. I have never left.” Before he can answer, I take a step toward him, serious once more. “Tell me. Did you know which men Monsieur Fremin had chosen to travel with him on this business of yours?”

Unease flickers across Pierre’s face. “It was a task I delegated to him. I did not need a list of his traveling companions and supplies.”

“So you did not know he had chosen four of your most foul, vicious men to escort us home? Men no true brother would ever want his sisters near?”

“I already said that I did not.”

I shake my head, as if amused. “Come now, brother. You are among friends.” I glance pointedly at the regent. “You may tell everyone why you are really here.”

Pierre’s eyes widen in faint alarm as he realizes I heard the conversation last night. The room falls silent with anticipation. I turn to the king. “Madame Regent and Pierre are old friends, Your Majesty. They have been since he betrayed the queen and handed the city of Nantes over to your sister.” The king’s jaw flexes. Gen is right. He hates that she did so without consulting him. Allowed him to think they had been cheering him as their rightful king rather than through an act of betrayal.

“In fact,” I continue, “she is so very fond of him that she agreed to pay him one hundred thousand gold crowns.”

“Why?” The words explode from the king as his gaze flies to his sister.

“To compensate him for the loss of Brittany, something my brother still believes rightfully belonged to his father.” I do not know whose face has grown paler—the regent’s or Pierre’s.

“Your Majesty.” Interesting that General Cassel decides to step into the fray. “These actions the girl speaks of are the tactics of war.”

“We were not at war.” The king’s voice is cool. “The betrothal agreement had been signed. The marriage taken place. The house d’Albret is owed nothing. It is not our fault the late duke handed out false promises like alms.”

I make no attempt to hide my scorn for the general. “I am surprised to learn that is how you prefer to win wars. By throwing gold at them. Perhaps you are not as fine a tactician as your reputation would have others believe. Surely anyone can throw gold at an enemy to make him go away. Indeed, I have always thought it more of a woman’s tactic.” I glance at the regent.

The thundering of Cassel’s enraged heart is so loud it’s a wonder not everyone can hear it.

The king shifts in his chair, his distaste plain on his face. “I have to agree. There is little honor in that.”

“Easy to say now, when you now sit atop the throne that we secured for you,” the regent says.

Another silence, this one a clash between the resentments of the two siblings. That is when I step in for the killing blow. “But the gold is not the whole of it, Your Majesty. According to their agreement, she is in his debt for failing to provide the successful ambush she’d promised him.”

The king’s face is awash in incomprehension—until it is not. His head whips back to his sister. “You were behind that?” he asks at the exact same moment that Pierre proclaims, “I had nothing to do with that. Nothing!”

In the deafening silence, I can hear all their hearts beating—rapid with excitement or anger or apprehension. The king clenches the arms of his throne and leans forward. “Is this true, Madame?”

“Of course not,” she says lightly. “Why would I set up such an elaborate scheme to return his sisters with no gain for myself or the crown?”

Why indeed? I think, and the king’s eyes narrow at the word crown.

“Well, then, you are either lying to Pierre or you are lying to the king. I would think long and hard on which it is,” I tell her. Then I address Pierre. “And, brother, I have to wonder why you would have reason to ambush the queen’s traveling party. Was it to insist she marry our father? Insist she marry you?”

“No!” Pierre’s face is white—he is terrified the king will believe me. Before the king can speak, the regent whirls on me, even now working in tandem with my brother. “I could have you hanged for such falsehoods.”

The king does not take his