Change of Darkness (The Change Series Book 3) by Jacinta Jade (best new books to read txt) 📕

help Renhed tarnish Pyron’s standing a little and speak the praises of the spymaster in Chezran’s hearing.

She smiled at Renhed. ‘Tell me about Pyron and Atalia.’

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

THERE WASN’T ENOUGH time for the spymaster to relate everything she deemed important about Siraay’s two rivals, so she gave a quick brief on both.

Atalia was closer to Chezran’s age but, as Renhed had noted, lacked a certain amount of sense, even if her strategy and tactical skills were excellent. She, too, was eyeing off the position of Chezran’s right hand, or mate, but so far, Chezran had not elected to take anyone as a permanent addition to his bed.

Atalia used her charm to keep the other archons on her side, but this didn’t really work with Renhed or the captains.

This made Siraay ask, ‘Do any of you really like each other?’

Renhed laughed, her voice tinkling like a creek moving over smooth rocks. ‘Some of us do, or as much as we can, given that, in this place, being friendly is always a risk. You never know who wants to take what you have.’

Siraay gave the archon a pointed look, but Renhed raised her hands defensively.

‘At least I’m one of the honest ones.’

‘And what about Pyron?’

‘Well, as you can imagine, I’ve had my own healthy interest in Pyron for a while, yet he’s proven quite good at not revealing his background. So far, all I know is that Pyron has been working with Chezran for some time, but I can’t determine how long. I’ve had hints that it goes back to their youth, but I’ve found nothing yet to confirm that.’

Renhed went to on to say that all the archons reported to Pyron, as well as to Chezran, but that the lord looked to Pyron for the deciding vote in any disputed advice before he acted.

Siraay’s doubts about what Renhed was trying to achieve grew. ‘And you think you can somehow manage to drive a wedge between them?’

The archon nodded confidently. ‘It can be done.’

Siraay sighed. ‘Well, with time, yes.’

Renhed grimaced, and Siraay glanced at her.

‘Did I miss something?’

‘It’s the time thing. We have until the end of the season until we move to attack the capital. And I need my standing increased before then.’

Siraay regarded the other female incredulously. ‘The end of the season? That’s only forty days away! Four turns!’ She glared at Renhed. ‘And you didn’t think I needed that information until now?’

Renhed shrugged. ‘I was going to tell you, eventually.’

Siraay growled between her teeth. Yes, the spymaster had told her—after Siraay had already agreed to their bargain. She looked at the light spilling into the room. ‘I need to meet Chezran.’

Renhed nodded and moved back to the door to open it. ‘I’ll come speak with you later tonight.’

The spymaster escorted Siraay through the hallways and left her at the door to a new room, giving her a wink before she moved away again, her small figure disappearing quickly around the corner.

Shaking her head at the spymaster’s audacity, Siraay raised her hand and knocked smartly on the door. In response, the door was opened from the inside, and she was greeted by a guard, who immediately stepped back and opened the door wider, announcing her to Chezran. ‘Lady Siraay, lord.’

Stepping into the room, Siraay saw Chezran moving around behind a desk, a dark cape draped over his muscular frame. ‘No trouble finding the room at all?’

So he didn’t know that the spymaster had escorted her down. Interesting. Time to test the waters. ‘Not at all. Archon Renhed was kind enough to show me the way.’

‘Was she, now?’ Chezran smirked. ‘I’m sure she also had a number of questions for you?’

Siraay’s stomach tightened, but she let her smile grow wider. ‘She did. I’m guessing that’s just part of what makes her good at her job?’

Chezran chuckled. ‘It is. And a good thing for us too—she usually knows about any threat before it has a chance to materialise.’

There was her opening to start making good on her deal with Renhed. ‘Yes, I got the impression that she is very dedicated. Someone to keep close, then.’

Chezran nodded thoughtfully at her words, and to break the slight tension she could feel, Siraay began checking out the room—something she seemed to be doing a lot of lately.

This room was darker than others she had seen, owing to the fact that it didn’t have any external avenues for natural light to enter through. Instead, it was lit with smaller versions of the hanging chandeliers in the dining room, and a fire burned within a large open fireplace in one wall.

Otherwise, the room bore all the modern touches she had come to know growing up in a city, and then some.

Chezran noticed her observations and extended his hands outwards gracefully. ‘My study, if you will. Where only those I invite may enter.’

Siraay turned back to him and let one side of her mouth curl up playfully. ‘I’ll consider it a privilege, then.’

When the lord gave her a slow smile in return, she decided to push a little. ‘Now, I believe you mentioned something about increasing my knowledge?’ She put one hand on her hip, allowing the gesture to outline that side of her figure.

Chezran nodded, still smiling. ‘I did promise that. Come with me, there are things I want to show you.’

***

They spent the morning moving about the palace, Chezran showing Siraay the other major rooms she hadn’t yet visited and taking her out into the grounds of the residence.

He revealed where they developed Xarcon technology, which, in many ways, was more advanced than the other cities, and Siraay paused when she noticed a line of technologists, Archon Nisos overseeing them, crafting the metal bands that helped indoctrinate the soldiers of Chezran’s army.

Apparently, they were using the same silver-coloured metal that formed the core of Siraay’s necklace, except that her accessory was plated in gold.

Chezran explained how the properties of the metal were able to block parts of the psyche and draw out those of