Ruined - Amy Tintera Page 0,31
plot the attack.
“No,” the king said.
“Do you have terms you’d prefer?” Koldo asked.
“No. That’s your job. Come up with something better.”
“We will send word to our king and draft new terms,” Iria said. “Should we move on? We’d like to discuss the port of Olso.”
The king folded his hands together and rested them on his stomach as he leaned back in his chair. “Yes?”
“The clause in the peace treaty that gave you the port expired five years ago,” Iria said. “Yet Lera ships are still there.”
“The clause expired only if Lera was satisfied that Olso didn’t pose a threat to any of the other kingdoms,” the king said.
“We don’t,” Koldo said.
“No?” the king asked. “I’ve just received word from my hunters that the Ruined were spotted trying to enter Olso.”
Em’s breath caught in her throat, and she looked at Iria, trying to keep her expression neutral. The warrior’s face showed genuine surprise. Koldo and Benito wore matching expressions.
“When did you hear this, Your Majesty?” she asked.
“Just yesterday.”
“I don’t know anything about that, but we can’t control what the Ruined try to do, Your Majesty,” she said.
“I have other reports saying that warriors have been spotted in Vallos as well. What would warriors be doing in Vallos?”
“Enjoying the countryside?” Iria guessed, twisting a lock of hair around her finger. Em pressed her lips together to keep from laughing.
The king narrowed his eyes. “Many of the Ruined are currently in Vallos.”
“As is the entire population of Vallos. We are allowed to visit Vallos, Your Majesty,” Iria said. “Their entry laws are far more relaxed than yours.”
“That will be changing.”
“I’m sure,” Iria said.
“Partnering with the Ruined is an act of war,” the king said.
“Understood. But like I said, I don’t know anything about that. And regardless, that clause is five years expired. We’ve been patient, and we ask that you honor your agreements.”
“It’s not happening.”
“Why not?” Cas asked.
All heads swiveled to him, matching expressions of surprise on the faces of every adviser. The queen’s eyes widened, and she put a hand on Jovita’s arm, like she was afraid the girl would jump in with her own questions. Jovita merely raised an eyebrow.
“Casimir!” his father exclaimed.
“I wasn’t agreeing with them, I was asking a question,” he said. “Why do we still control that port?”
“Because of the clause in the treaty,” the king said.
“Is it true the treaty said we’d return the port to them five years ago if they hadn’t shown violence against other kingdoms?”
The king paused for a moment. “I would need to see a copy to be sure.”
Em barely held back a snort. It was smart of him not to admit to that, even if it was true.
“I’d like to think we honor our word,” Cas said.
His father rose suddenly, shooting his son a look so full of venom that even Em was tempted to crawl under the table. To Cas’s credit, he just stared back at his father.
“We will continue this discussion another time,” the king said. He glared at the warriors. “I’ve ordered any Ruined attempting to sneak into Olso captured and brought to me for questioning. If you’re lying about helping them, I will find out.”
Em gripped her hands together so tightly it almost hurt. It wasn’t unexpected that the hunters had noticed the Ruined moving into Olso. She had hoped they would have more time before the king became suspicious, but that was all he had. Suspicions.
The king walked out of the room, and the advisers followed suit. The queen and Jovita stood behind Cas’s chair until he finally noticed and stood as well.
The queen leaned over and said something to Cas as Em followed them out of the room. He shrugged, which was apparently not the answer his mother wanted. She marched away, her skirts swishing around her feet.
Jovita lingered, and Cas gestured for Em to follow them. She obediently walked down the hallway and into the library. Jovita pushed the door closed behind them.
“What are you doing?” Jovita had a way of speaking that was both furious and quiet and calm.
“What do you mean?” Cas asked, plopping down in a chair and stretching his long legs out in front of him.
Jovita glanced to where Em stood by the door, as if just noticing she was still with them. Jovita hesitated, but Cas looked at her expectantly.
“Defying your father in front of the warriors is inappropriate. And not helpful.”
“I wasn’t defying him. I asked a question.”
“It was an inappropriate question,” Jovita said, planting her hands on her