Descendants of the Kings (Book 2)

Ch 54: No one else to blame

A few hours and two bottles of mead later, all previous somberness had effectively fled the room. Sated from their hearty dinner, they were content to laze around, sipping mead by the fire.

Ella was sprawled on the sofa, nursing a crystal tumbler. She swirled the liquid round and round, pensively staring at the cloudy ceiling. It was snowing outside, evidenced by the flurries on the paint.

"Have you thought about what you are going to wear?" Ella asked. "What does one even wear to such an event? I hadn't the foggiest idea. Lady Rhiannon had to help me."

Briar, sprawled on the other end of the sofa, lifted her head lazily. "I'll be wearing my biggest, fakest smile," she answered with an illustrative smile, all teeth, before flopping back down. "I can't be bothered. I'll wear whatever they lay out for me. Could be a burlap sack, for all that I care."

Ella snorted. "I thought you liked parties. You seem to hate this one, for some reason."

"Aside from the part where they're hosting a ridiculously expensive event during the height of a war?" Briar retorted, taking a healthy pull from her glass. "I just don't like it. I hate going to Nerea and having to be in her house--" She paused, flushing. "Never mind."

Ella, despite her light tipsiness, was still sharp. She sat up straighter. "Who is her?"

"No one," Briar muttered. Then, unable to help herself, "Una Llyr."

Ella's brows raised. "The Princess of Nerea?"

Briar scowled. "She's a royal cow, that's what she is."

Ella let out a low puff of breath. Briar was never one to insult other people, less so other women. Even when she didn't particularly get on with someone, she was always polite to a fault. She must have had a reason for this animosity.

"What did she do to you?" She paused. "Were you lovers?"

Briar gave her an affronted look, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "Gods, no. I'd rather drown myself than touch that sea-hag."

"Our Kingdoms used to be somewhat allied, so we often saw each other at events. She's never liked me. She and her courtiers are a nasty bunch, always making fun of anyone they deem less. Like yours truly," Briar waved at herself with a tight smile. "She says I am a simpleton and a clod because my Kingdom is rural and hers is much more sophisticated."

Ella frowned deeply. "Well, I hate her already."

Briar huffed in amusement. "You don't have to hate her just because I do."

"On the contrary, it's all the reason," Ella dismissed. "If you don't like her, then that's enough for me."

Briar shook her head, but it was clear she was a little pleased. "I think she'd like you, funny enough. She'd deem you much more refined. She likes to ingratiate herself with important people. Her older sister, Princess Moira, is much less amicable. Una is a cow, but she can play nice when convenient. Moira..." Briar grimaced.

"If you want to make connections with anyone from their court, I'd go for their youngest brother, Prince Cian, or their High Chancellor, Lady Dara." She smiled meaningfully. "She has a soft spot for beautiful women."

Ella chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind."

"I'm sure you'll have no trouble," Briar added. "Una likes pretty things, too. All the better if I happen to care for them. It's more amusing to steal them, then."

Her tone was light, but Ella sensed there was more to it. Before she could further question her, Briar beat her to the punch.

"You're fortunate," she said, leaning to reach for a little bowl full of chocolates. She popped a few in her mouth. "You have Lady Rhiannon to guide you. I wish I'd been better prepared when I came out into society."