Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 165618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 828(@200wpm)___ 662(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 165618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 828(@200wpm)___ 662(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
Finally, some good news.
Another hidden smile, but this one he could hear in my repeat of, “Excellent.”
“More good news, the extradition orders for Arnaud’s advisers have all come through. They’ll be returned to the Edge soon. The one from the Break on Wednesday, the two from the End on Friday.”
“That is good news. And maybe some answers.”
“Maybe,” he allowed. “But still no sign of Tatra and Arnaud. However, the inter-realm task force we’ve set on this is using the intel gathered on those we know were involved, are involved, and who we suspect involvement, and they’re painting a picture of what we’re up against.”
“Let me guess. A return to the old ways.”
He nodded once. “Deep traditionalist ties. We’ve always kept watch on these groups, but we’re keeping a closer watch and making moves to infiltrate as many of them as we can.”
He also couldn’t see my grouchy face, but I knew he could feel my vibe when he went on.
“Slow and steady, Catty.”
Whatever.
“Any news on Monique?” I asked.
His hand at my waist slid around to my back so he could pull me closer.
“None. No sightings. Nothing,” he said carefully. “But we have thoroughly investigated her and her spa.”
“And?”
“What you knew of her personally, all of that was true. But her spa isn’t owned by her, at least not outright. She has a partner.”
“She does?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
His arm grew tighter. “Princess Felenia.”
Holy Hecate.
“Mac’s aunt?”
“I talked to Mac about it. He’s already commed her. She said it’s in her portfolio, but outside of noting it offered steady and healthy profits, she really didn’t know much about it. It was recommended she invest in it by one of her advisors. It’s a much smaller endeavor than the ones she normally invests in, but it’s also one of several of that size, so it isn’t unheard of she’d make such an investment.”
It wouldn’t be.
Felenia was known as a very savvy entrepreneur.
Still.
“This is a weird coincidence.”
“It is. We’ll be keeping our eyes on it. Though, I have another weird coincidence to share.”
“That is?”
“Uly said Dinyn Climbright has introduced a piece of legislation in the Center.”
“It is his job to do that, honey,” I pointed out.
“This one is highly controversial.”
“There are some that are.”
“Not from him,” Tanyn continued. “He’s always been middle of the road. Make no waves. Do just enough to keep your seat all the while being wined and dined by lobbyists and getting paid astronomical fees to do a lecture somewhere.”
“Okay,” I said slowly. “So what is this legislation?”
“Any attempt on any royal’s life will be punished as in ancient times, according to their realm.”
By Beelzebub.
I stared.
“That would be burned alive in Sky’s Edge. Flayed and eagled in Night’s Fall. Drawn and quartered in Land’s End. Pegged for live carrion in Dawn’s Break. And hung from the neck in the Center,” Tanyn clarified what I’d learned way back in history class.
“I can see this would be controversial,” I forced out through my shock.
“He has support,” Tanyn shocked me further. “After the troll attack, the news Mom and Dad were murdered. And they don’t even know of the incidents here or at Berg. You know it hasn’t been missed that Mac and Gayle are always together. Everyone thinks they’re a couple, they just haven’t announced it officially yet. And there are murmurings about Aleece and Bain. They’ve tried to be surreptitious, but since they’re together all the time, and not simply around those in our inner circle, they were bound to be found out and beings would talk.”
“Well, those couples are together, so that’s no big thing.”
His lips hitched before he kept going.
“Beings are putting together there are further links, specifically you three being longtime friends and ending up with a king or future kings, and Aleece’s relation to Aleksei drawing her into the quartet.”
With the dizzying amount of chatter and theorizing on social tapes, and this escalating after the curse fell from Berg and Tanyn sharing the news of royal murder, this was unavoidable.
Even so.
“But I don’t get why Climbright would have support for such an arcane bill. Capital punishment was outlawed by the Center over a century ago, when all signed the InterRealm Accord.”
“The curse on Berg collapsed, claiming you as my queen during troubled times. Aleksei is True Heir and Laura his True Bride, and the Fall hasn’t had a True Heir in nearly two centuries. Dinyn is connecting the dots that something big is up. And I’ll admit to being taken by surprise he’s making moves to make it less attractive to those who might be planning something extreme.”
I’d only met the male once, but from Tanyn’s response to him, I was surprised too.
“When it comes up for a vote, I’ll be voting yea,” Tanyn proclaimed.
And more surprise.
I was not political, as such.
But I could say I was anti-capital punishment, because that was the realm of savages.