Read Online Balancer (Advent Mage Cycle) by Honor Raconteur - Free Book Online

hostess with studied courtesy. Ries had taken up the bodyguard position behind my chair, his back to the wall. As I sat at the table, I’d foolishly expected that as soon as the first course was served, she’d start in with the subtle questioning of my political standing.
    Turned out, she couldn’t care less about what I thought.
    “Tell me, Magus,” Adairshaean purred, eyes smoldering. “How long do we have the pleasure of your company in the capitol? I do hope that since Vonlorisen has given you such a vital position at court that you will stay at home now?”
    I tried to smile but it felt very forced to me. Why did I have to sit kitty-corner to her? I would have vastly preferred the width of the table between us. As it was, I had this uncomfortable feeling that she was going to reach out and touch me at any moment. “I’m afraid that I have many demands on my time, Domess. I cannot predict how long I will stay in Alvacon.”
    A pretty pout formed on her mouth as she actually did reach out and trail a finger along my forearm. “Oh, but it would be a shame for you to leave so soon! We have just only become acquainted, after all.”
    I tried not to flinch at her touch, but I still jumped a little. What was this woman thinking?! You simply didn’t touch another man like this on a first introduction! Ries, I complained to the man standing so stoically behind me, you didn’t tell me that she wanted to seduce me!
    “ I didn’t know what designs she had, ” he said patiently. His mental voice had a timber of amusement, however, so I knew that somewhere in his head he was having a good chuckle at my expense. “ This is better than her pressing you for political information, isn’t it?”
    No, it isn’t, I fumed. You don’t have a fiancée with a jealous streak!
    At that, he really did laugh. I turned in my seat slightly to flash him a dark frown. Ries hadn’t even cracked a smile, just stared straight ahead as if the whole evening was completely boring for him.
    Obviously a change of plans is in order. I have two people to get revenge on.
    “Tell me, Magus,” she asked in that same smoky tone, “however did you come into your powers?”
    As this was a safer topic than anything else she had asked since I stepped inside, I gladly answered her, although I did keep it brief. I still had some dim hope that I might be able to escape soon.
    “My, how dangerous!” she exclaimed. Even though it was said as if she were surprised, nothing about her expression or demeanor said the emotion was sincere. Clearly, she already knew the story. In fact, I’d lay odds that she knew far more than I had told her. “It must have been so terrifying to be running from bandits with your power still so unpredictable. You must be very strong and…powerful.”
    “It was certainly a harrowing experience,” I agreed. I felt something brush my leg under the table. She wasn’t seriously trying to…no, actually, she really was. I cleared my throat, smile becoming even more strained and tried to shift in my chair so that she couldn’t reach me without making it obvious I was doing so. Night, what is she looking for?
    “I think she wants to know how tight your bond with Hain is.”
    Ah. Well, with this line of questioning, she could certainly lead to that. Although I still didn’t know if she needed to know for political or personal reasons. Did she even need to do all of these seductive ploys to weasel that information out of me?
    “After the way that King Guin so warmly welcomed you, I suppose it’s inevitable that you feel a great debt to him,” she continued while lifting her wine glass. “Still, I was heartened by the news that our king had offered you the hand of a Dom’s daughter.”
    I froze with my spoon halfway to my plate. Where had she heard about that?! Only Vonlorisen and the Red Hand had been in the room prior to that conversation! Ries, how do I respond to this?
    “Act as if it’s common knowledge and then ask