Free The Mad God's Muse (The Eye of the Lion Saga Book 2) by Matt Gilbert

favors and I tell them things. That doesn't make me a
thief.”
    “You think me
a fool, that I can't make the connection in timing? Really, Teretha,
I expected a better lie than this.”
    In the kitchen, the
two younger girls were doing small victory dances and Shirini tasted
the soup, feeling very satisfied indeed. Teretha Prosin. Now we
know your name.
    Teretha looked
genuinely offended at this. “ Really ,
Davron,” she sneered, mocking his tone. “Is there anyone
you haven't pissed off these last few months?”
    Davron dismissed her charge with a wave. “Do you have it or
not?”
    “ I
could acquire it, for a price. Provided you meet my price.”
    Davron's nostrils flared and his jaw bulged as he mulled this over.
At last, he asked, “What are your terms, snake?”
    “What do you
think?” she shouted. “I want you to protect my son from
this madness you've instigated!”
    Davron darkened at
this, but nodded, less an agreement than an acknowledgment. “There
are no guarantees in such matters. I can only promise to do my best.
And such things have a way of coming back if politics shift. It's
the work of a lifetime. At what point have I done a good enough job
to close the deal?”
    It was Teretha's
turn to appreciate the new wrinkle. “Fair enough. Then you
will promise to do your best as long as you live. And you will give
me another son, to insure against the possible loss of the one you
have risked.”
    Davron burst into
sincere laughter at this. “Shall I pull one from my pocket?”
    Teretha rolled her
eyes again, then pointed at Davron's crotch. “From your
trousers, fool, or do you still not know how babies are made? You
risked my son in Amrath. You will give me the heir to Noril. When he
is born, I will return your father's blade. It will be his by rights
anyway.”
    In the kitchen,
Parala had both hands clamped over her mouth, eyes bulging, while
Cyndi held up a fist in triumph. Shirini gave her an approving nod.
    Davron, mortified,
leapt to his feet, his face red with fury. “And what of my wife , witch ?”
His fist rose into the air as if it were not entirely under his
control.
    Teretha glanced at
his threatening gesture and smiled, showing no sign of being
intimidated. “Please. How will beating me help your position?
It could only help mine.”
    “I should
enjoy it, though!”
    “You might
enjoy my counteroffer as well, if you weren't so stubborn. You said
you liked women.” She reached to grab his fist and brought it
to her breast, Davron seeming helpless to resist her. His hand
relaxed, then tightened again, kneading her flesh with relish. “Here
is a fine specimen, a comely one at that. Don't pretend it wouldn't
please you.”
    Davron took a deep,
shuddering breath and pulled his hand back, grabbing it with his
left as if to restrain an unruly child. “What do you prove
with this? That I'm a man? I'd be a liar to say I have no appetite
for what you propose, but I will never betray my wife.”
    “Betray? You
are an elder of Nihlos without issue. I doubt even your wife would
count it as treachery if you were up front with her about your
intentions. You needn't marry me. Just claim the child.”
    Davron looked her up
and down, still restraining his offending hand as he considered. “A
fine specimen, to be certain. But I am not fond of the taste of
defeat.”
    “Then choose
not to taste it as defeat. Choose to see it as a mutually beneficial
and pleasant alliance.” She reached again for his hand,
drawing it toward her crotch, but Davron jerked it back as if he had
been burned.
    “Not here, not
now. I must speak with my wife, first. I will not betray her.”
    Teretha smiled coyly
and sipped her wine. “Of course.”
    In the kitchen,
Shirini raised her eyebrows suggestively over a tin cup of port, and
the other two sipped at theirs, barely stifling giggles. “This,
young'uns, is how we cook.”

    In the end, it was neither the
solitude nor the nightmares that broke Aiul's will. It was