Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
“I’m assuming they chose the former, given the latter would mean crossing hostile territory riddled with monsters.”
“They did. That piece of land is weird. There’s a map in there.”
I flipped the page to the map. He’d circled the exact spot in the county, and he was right about its weirdness. It was long and thin—long enough that going around it would be a nightmare, but not thin enough to cross without being detected, either.
In other words, the perfect piece of land to own and exploit toll fees from.
I showed it to Duke Trelawney, and he raised his eyebrows. “Very strange,” he said. “There’s nothing on that land. It’s not particularly fertile, so it’s no good for farming or settling, and it’s close to the unclaimed monster territory. It’s not near to the baron’s remaining estate, either.”
“Exactly. There’s no reason for him to have bought it.” Ezra bobbed his head. “It’s only good for a trade route.”
“Could Lillia have known they were brokering a trade deal?” I asked.
“Six years ago? How would a seventeen-year-old girl have known that? Nobody knew they were working on one until very recently. They’ve been enemies for years, and that piece of land was the only reason they’re no longer at war.”
That was true. When the empire had swallowed the neighbouring duchies, the kingdoms of Vontis and Faria had been told they would be next if they continued their war. They’d reluctantly signed a ceasefire in the face of a bigger threat, but nobody had expected them to become trading partners a couple of years later.
“The moment the trade deal was announced, the value of the land multiplied tenfold. Once the kingdoms brokered a deal to build a road and pay toll fees, it rose even further.” Ezra sat forward and pointed at us, wiggling his finger. “That road single-handedly saved the baron from having to sell his title to survive and meant Lady Armand could debut this year.”
“Do the Armands have any relation to the Kilgards? Distant relatives, perhaps?” Duke Trelawney asked.
“No,” Ezra answered. “Their only connection is that the baronesses were friends in their younger years. They both grew up in the same town and remained close friends after their marriages.”
“And Baroness Kilgard is a popular etiquette teacher for young noble ladies, so she’s the perfect guardian for Lady Armand while she enters high society,” I finished. “Have the Armands ever had any connection to the Vermillions?”
“Only loosely through business. Marquess Vermillion had an interest in one of the baron’s businesses a few years ago and eventually invested a small amount of money, although it seems he withdrew it after a couple of years.”
“So, there’s no reason for their daughters to have met, nor is there any reason for them to have bad blood.” I rubbed my thumb across my chin. Just what was it about that woman that got so under Allie’s skin, even before we’d met? It made no sense. “Tell Jinx to keep searching. Who did you put on her tail?”
“Baines.”
“Good. He won’t get caught.” I scanned the rest of the papers, and a chill ran across my arms. “Baroness Armand is a descendant of the Zadar family?”
Duke Trelawney jolted. “Is that true?”
“If that’s what it says, then yes,” Ezra said, looking between us with a frown. “Why does it matter?”
“Find out how she’s descended from them,” I ordered. “Tell Jinx to prioritise that.”
“Why?”
“I don’t pay you to ask questions, Ezra.”
“I know that, but how are the Armands related to anything Duke Trelawney is working on for you?” He got up and joined us at the table. “Shit—is that a black magic mark?”
I sighed. “We think so, yes. It appeared on the body of the man responsible for releasing the wraithhusk. It was connected to a silencing spell.”
“Weren’t the Zadars the last remaining black magic bloodline?” He froze. “Is that why you want it researched? Do you think the Armands are related to what happened today?”
I pressed my fingertips together and glared at him. “Ezra.”
He jerked. “Yes, Your Highness?”
“Are you in the business of asking questions or answering them?”
“Answering them.”
“Exactly. Go and do your damn job.” I stared at him until he shuffled back towards the door.
“Ezra. Come and see me tomorrow,” Duke Trelawney said, peering across the room at him. “I have something for you.”
He bowed, his scarlet red hair falling to cover his eyes. “Yes, Your Grace.” He moved to open the door, then stopped. “Before I go, can I ask how Lady Alicia is? My sister is beside herself with worry.”
Right. They were close friends, and Lady Georgina had been in Allie’s tent before the attack.
“She’s still sleeping,” I answered, smiling grimly. “There’s been no change. I’ll send word when she wakes up.”
“I hope that happens soon. Even if I am mad that you stole my wife, you look miserable, and it’s starting to put me off my food.”