219

For much of the long journey, I found myself turning over what she had wanted to tell me.Whatever it was, it had mattered enough to do that to her, and that alone told me it was not small.Was there something about that bastard she had yet to tell me? Something he held over her? I turned the possibilities over in my mind.Eventually, I forced them aside and concentrated on the journey ahead. There was nothing I could do from the road, and pressing her before she was ready would only make matters worse. When I returned, I would revisit it.Five hours later, our carriage rolled through the outer limits of the capital, and I understood why many simply called it “Urai” and left the distinction to scholars.The capital was the heart of the kingdom, the largest of all Urekai cities. Every city had its own governing body, of course, but all of them answered here, to the four Grand Rulers of all Urekai.“Where to, my lord?” the carriage master called.“The inn.” Ravenshadow Fortress was said

220

LORD REVANDREL“Your Grace,” I addressed the Grand King with the appropriate inclination of my head, keeping my expression neutral. "It is an honor to make your acquaintance."He said nothing. That unreadable gaze stayed on my face.“I am Grand Lord Vladya,” the ruler beside him— the same one who had first taken notice of me— said, stepping forward.Now that he stood closer, I noticed the thin scar running from his cheek down the side of his neck. It was old, pale, and impossible to miss once seen. He gestured toward the ruler beside him. “And this is Grand Lord Herodis.”Unlike the other two, the fourth ruler offered me the faintest hint of a smile.I returned the courtesy. “My greetings to you both. I am Merchant Lord Revandrel Cel'theren, of Vallen Falls. I have made the journey to the capital on a matter of some importance."“A long way from home,” the Grand King observed.“It is.” Was all I offered.A lesser male might have been shaking in his boots standing before the ultimate r

221

“No, wait—” the third ruler began."I believe you have all mistaken me for someone else." My voice came out rough. "I do not know who this Uriel is." I took another step. “It appears he died during the Eclipse Moon Night tragedy, and I am genuinely sorry for that loss. But I was not yet born at that time."My mother had been a few weeks pregnant with me by then, but I kept that to myself. It was not the point. “Now, if you will excuse me.” I turned away.“Please. Just wait.”Something in the third ruler’s voice stopped me, though I did not turn around.The plea was desperate, but there was resignation beneath it too, as though he already expected me to keep walking.“Thank you,” he said softly. “Please, if you do not mind me asking, how old are you?”I opened my mouth to answer, then paused. Instead, I asked flatly, “How old was your son when he died?”Behind me, Lady Morina’s crying worsened. A pang struck my chest. I ignored it.“Uriel was one thousand five hundred and twenty-thre

222

LADY BAEVERAThe afternoon's final meeting had run longer than anticipated, which was the natural consequence of textile merchants who had strong feelings about dye lots and even stronger feelings about being heard expressing those feelings at length. I was in the middle of redirecting the discussion back toward the supply agreement on the table when the door opened.Revandrel walked in.I…stared.He’d been meant to remain in the capital for several days, yet here he was, still dressed for travel, exhaustion in the set of his shoulders.There was a restlessness about him too that made my concern rise immediately."Cel'theren…" My head of trade looked up with visible startlement, and he was not alone in it.Every face around the table went alert in the particular way of people recalibrating quickly. The history between that name and mine was not private knowledge, leaving themwondering what was he doing here.“Gentlemen, and ladies,” Revandrel’s voice was controlled despite the strai

All Chapters of Once His Bully. Now His Whore: Chapter 221 - Chapter 224

219

220

221

222