Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 161535 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 538(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 161535 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 538(@300wpm)
No one seems worried about the supposed poison, which makes me wonder if it was just a lie. When Margo leans over to steal an apple slice from my plate, I decide it is, indeed, a lie, and they’re jerks for saying shit like that.
Fuck it, maybe I should try to get drunk. I don't think I can, but no time like the present to try it out. Kalos won’t care. Kalos hasn’t even looked in my direction. Not once. I might as well be another chair in the room for all that he gives a shit, and that hurts my feelings. I don’t know if we could be considered friends, but I thought we were more than this. I’m giving my life over to him. The least he could do is acknowledge I exist.
Then again, if we’re not friends, why do I obsess over that stupid kiss?
I chew a slice of apple even angrier.
“An army is not necessary,” Kalos says evenly. “The temple of Aron of the Cleaver at Balsingra is full of worshippers. That means he has already ascended back to the heavens. If we are not fighting him, is there even a need for soldiers?”
“There is always a need for might,” Seth counters. “Think of it as a bargaining tactic.”
Yeah, because he’s so good at bargaining. I want to huff with irritation, but I still don’t know if I’ll be knifed in the back, so I say nothing. I just eat in angry silence.
They talk about armies and other aspects and places I’ve never heard of. They talk for an endlessly long time, with Seth doing most of the actual talking and Kalos making bored noises of agreement. I polish off my wine and the entire plate of cheese and fruit and slouch in my chair, trying not to yawn. Seth wants to invade some kingdom I’ve never heard of and Kalos refutes that it’s too much work. Everything Seth suggests, Kalos isn’t a fan of. But Seth isn’t deterred. Maybe he expected this, working with Apathy, but he has plans for all kinds of things, and quickly moves on from one suggestion to the next. Seth is a schemer with big dreams, and Kalos is…whatever the opposite of that is.
A low energy dickhead, I decide.
Seth pulls out a map and unrolls it over a table, only for Kalos to make the most pained, aggrieved sigh ever. “Are we going to do all of this tonight?”
“You don’t need to sleep. I don’t need to sleep.” Seth smirks at Kalos. “Why not?”
“Because my head is spinning with all your plans. I am weary of all of this.” He crosses his arms and leans back in his chair, like a petulant child. “I am done scheming for the day.”
“We’ve barely even talked about my plans for the Adassian Plains!” Seth’s lip curls in angry disdain. “And Vor has established a stronghold in—”
Kalos lifts a hand. “You are the one in charge. I care not which direction we head. You decide. I am simply along for the ride. Now, I would like to take my Anchor to my quarters and have a few hours of peace.”
Seth makes another frustrated sound and shoves the map aside in a rustle of paper that probably wasn’t very satisfying.
“We’ve waited this long,” Margo soothes, getting to her feet. She moves to Seth’s side, rubbing his arm. “What’s one day more? Our guests are tired. Let them rest.”
Seth pinches between his brows. “I grow weary of delays. Think of the time we are wasting!”
“One day isn’t going to make a difference,” Margo replies. She links her arm with his and casts a charming smile in my direction and looks over at Kalos. “Take your evening. Enjoy the silence. We’ll talk plans in the morning and be ready to move out. Where are we heading first, my lord?”
She tilts her head at Seth, all bright eyes.
“The borders of Yshrem,” he says, even as he takes Margo’s arm. “To pick up the remnants of Aron’s armies.”
“Then we will discuss our plans over breakfast, and head towards Yshrem. Until then, you should see the new painting I’ve made.”
Seth makes a disgusted sound as she leads him away. “You know I hate your ugly paintings.”
“That’s why I do them, Seth, my dumpling.”
“I’m not your dumpling. Don’t be ridiculous.”
Margo just laughs, the sound trilling as they leave the room and us behind.
Arrogant assholes. I’m so angry and frustrated that I don’t know what to do. I glance up at the guard that’s been looming over my chair this whole time, and he steps out from behind me. He sheathes his blade and gestures to the doors in the opposite direction of Seth and Margo. “I will take you to his quarters.”
I glance over at Kalos, but he’s still not looking in my direction. He gazes at the fire, rubbing his chin. I can’t tell if he’s lost in one of his apathy spells or if something else is going on, but I’m annoyed with him, too. I turn and follow the guard, leaving Kalos in the hall. He leads me through the keep and moves to stand guard outside of the room as I head inside.