heartless | nikolai lantsov

\\ Chapter Ten \\

A week passed before Rani saw the King again.

A week in which she cursed and raged and swore up and down about the bastards that lived in Ravka as she paced around her tiny room. A week in which she pushed back the thoughts tugging at the edge of her mind.

The King was right.

She could not work against Tara.

Spending her life knowing that she had ended the movement Tara believed in... she couldn't.

If that meant she had to work for this facetious excuse for a King then so be it.

So a week after she had been to Tara's room, she walked into a meeting with the King and his advisors. Dressed in nondescript clothes that resembled neither Ravkan nor Shu uniforms, but were still military cut nonetheless, her hair pulled back on the same tight braid as always.

The King had grinned when he caught sight of her walking through the door, a cheeky look of triumph that sent Rani's heart rate spiking. Anger that she tried quickly to soothe into placid indifference. It's the same look that the others in the room give her. It's clear that news of her failed kidnapping attempt has not spread beyond the King and his two Grisha. Or if it had, these advisors did not know that she had been the perpetrator. 

While the rest of the group meanders around, discussing trade agreements or using the land destroyed by the unsea or other equally dull things, Rani makes her way straight to the table, sitting as close to the door as she can.

Better to have the opportunity to escape if needed.

Far too quickly the King appears at her side. Even in the low light indoors, his hair appears like threads of gold, like sunlight itself has been trapped within. Ravkas golden child. The perfect King that would save them all.

Annoying.

Nikolais eyes glint with mirth as if he can see the thoughts crashing through Rani's mind.

"I see you decided to join us instead of doing something rash."

Rani grips the arms of her chair to steady herself, "That is not yet off the table."

His grin only widens. "I think this will be much more interesting."

It's hard to look at him and not let herself be filled with anger. But she will try. For Tara. Because she deserved it.

Taking a slow breath Rani forces her eyes to meet the Kings. They are dancing with amusement that Rani lost long ago, the moment Tara left her forever.

He is not the enemy. Not anymore.

It's hard to look at him and not see deception and hate. But she will try.

For Tara.

Rani tries to read anything deeper in the King's eyes. It's all but impossible.

"My sister believed in you. Fine, I respect her, but do not mistake my presence here for allegiance to you."

"That's fine," The King leans forward as if to share a secret. His breath stirs the loose strands of hair by Rani's ear, sending shivers across her skin, "but I admire you, so I do not intend to let you waste your talents on ill-advised revenge."

Is that what Tara had been to? Talent to use and replace like a pawn on a chessboard.

Before that's what she would have believed. Now thought... she's not sure.

Rani leans slightly in, mimicking his closeness as she whispers, "You enjoy knowing someone in your palace would as soon have a knife to your throat as help you?"