The Darkest of Dreams
Page 39
Something in Konstantin’s eyes stirred as he put the crystix away, something far-reaching and private, yet powerful enough for it to register on his face. Part of him wanted to believe, but he was wise enough to recognize when something was too good to be true.
“Why should I believe anything you are saying? Your friend cannot give you any proof of his identity. The only thing a prisoner can give you is a story…which is simply a more poetic way of telling a lie.”
“Why should I believe you about the girl, when you’ve told me nothing nearly as entertaining as a story about her?” Talvi replied. “For all I know, she’s already dead.”
Konstantin’s eyes lit up and he brushed an imaginary piece of lint from his lapel. Then he focused his gaze on Talvi in a way that meant business.
“I prefer making deals rather than telling stories. Do you know why I am so successful at it? Do you know why my partners—including your father—continue to work with me after all these years? It is because I get results. I do not waste their time with bullshit fairy tales and empty promises.”
Yuri looked over at him with a burst of pride before scooting a little closer and taking his arm. He gave a subtle toss of his long blond hair until it fell behind his shoulder, then took a polite sip of his blood-tinged champagne.
“What if I am calling your bluff about Prince Dillon being alive, and I send you to Sinaryos to inform King Balerin yourself? I’m sure he would be finding this interesting, since the rules of war do not allow prisoners to be kept once the fighting is over. What if I said I did not want any of the reward he might give you for this information? As far as I am concerned, you are keeping whatever he is giving you.”
“I’d probably say you were madder than a maenad,” Talvi said under his breath. “If you don’t want gold, there’s got to be something you want.”
The vampire nodded.
“All I want is for you to make certain the king knows that I am the one who sent you to deliver this message.”
“Even if I can find someone to take me to Sinaryos, it’s going to take some time for me to infiltrate the Blackwood court before I’ll be granted an audience with the king,” Talvi replied in a quiet tone. Konstantin shook his head slowly from side to side.
“I have an associate who sits on his private council…I will ask them to meet with you and pass along your information to him at the next meeting. I will make travel arrangements and I will pay your way. And, if you are successful, well…” He gazed at the bubbles dancing up the length of his glass, then smiled at Talvi. “Then perhaps Denalia will be here to answer your questions by the time you return from Sinaryos. Is that entertaining enough for you?”
Annika blinked in surprise, wondering if she’d heard him correctly. She stole a glance at Talvi, who appeared to be thinking the same thing. Then he turned to her and sighed. He didn’t say a word to her, silent or otherwise. He didn’t have to. It was obvious how much he wanted to go, and it was equally obvious how much he didn’t want her to join him. He found himself regretting that he’d instructed Tripp and Adams to fly back to America as decoys while he snuck off with his wife. The way that his sister and Konstantin gazed at Annika throughout their conversation hadn’t gone unnoticed by his watchful eye. Regardless of the reason for their fascination with her, two paladins belonging to the Sanctorum Militum would’ve been awfully useful to have around right about now. The longer he looked at his wife, the more he realized that he couldn’t leave Annika behind.
She wouldn’t let him.
“If we were to go, how soon would we leave?” she asked before Talvi had the chance to speak.
“Very soon, Miss Annika,” Konstantin grinned, then turned to Talvi. “There is another crystix shipment arriving the day after tomorrow. It would not be a bad idea for me to drop by and check on my crew. For once, Prince Talvi, your timing is perfect.”
Annika & Talvi’s misadventures will continue…
26
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Also by Emigh Cannaday
The Annika Brisby Series
(Dark Fantasy/Paranormal Romance)
The Flame and the Arrow
The Silver Thread
The Scarlet Tanager
The Darkest of Dreams
The Sloane Spadowski Series
(Dirty Rom-Com/Contemporary Romance)
Jerk Bait
Slip Sinker
Catch & Release
About the Author
After bouncing around from Paris to Portland, Emigh Cannaday now lives in Wisconsin with her husband and a pack of Welsh Corgis. She grew up drawing and painting but now prefers to use words to illustrate her elaborate daydreams. She spends her free time testing recipes and playing with houseplants and horses. Sign up for her newsletter at www.emighcannaday.com/mailinglist to get the latest author updates, access to book giveaways, and connect with other fans.
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