Sea of Sighs (Empath Book 2) by Dawn Peers Page A

relieved; he didn’t want to be standing and
drawing more attention than he cared to get. It was going to be bad
enough when Vance announced his new appointment.
    “Your highness,” the page intoned clearly as
they entered the room. Eden was jealous of how confident the boy
sounded. “Lord Venn of Daggerdale and Captain Eden of Sevenspells
are here for you.”
    Vance turned, opening his arms in greeting
to them both. “Venn, welcome. Please, do take your seat. Do you
need anything? Wine? Food?”
    “No, my liege, thank you. It’s too early for
me. Is it going to be a long meeting?”
    Vance shook his head, “I hope not. Some
necessary formalities with everything that’s been going on. I have
to keep you all informed of what’ s
happening with Lord Shiver and the B aron
Sammah. ”
    Venn nodded thoughtfully. “Of course your
highness, and, if I might add my voice to no doubt countless
others; how glad I am that you come out of this
unscathed.”
    “The unscathed part remains to be seen,
though my rule remains intact. Welcome, Eden. Can the servants get
you anything? You look a bit queasy.”
    Eden gaped, mortified that the king had
drawn attention to his nerves. Venn slapped Eden firmly on the
shoulder, saving him from floundering. “Of course he’ s queasy , your highness, he’s attending his first
meeting with the lords of the provinces, and his father is in the
gaol. He’s the one who helped put him there. Whilst the lad
is a hero, I’m not sure I’d want to be riding in his boots right
now.”
    Eden wanted to wince at Venn’s words, but
his reaction to them was mixed. It was true, he was nervous to be
in this meeting, but he was positive that he deserved to be here.
He wasn’t sure at all how he felt about his father’s position. Eden
did want to know just how much sincerity was behind his
well-wishing. He wouldn’t be surprised if Venn had been part of
Shiver’s plans from the start.
    No matter what Venn’s intentions, Vance
seemed to take it all in good heart. “Yes, of course you’re
anxious. You’re only young, and court can be overwhelming. Here
Eden, drink something to calm your nerves.”
    “Erm, I’m not sure that’ s
wise, my liege? ” Eden stuttered.
    “Don’t be ridiculous man. If I order you to drink, are you going to tell
me no?”
    Eden was trapped, and he didn’t like it. He
was reasonably sure both of them were toying with them.
Unfortunately, the king was right. If he was ordered to have a
drink, could Eden actually say no? “I will have some wine, thank
you, your highness.”
    Vance grinned and hollered and a servant,
not a page, came scuttling forward with a carafe. A glass was
poured, and Eden took it with a shaking hand. Perhaps the wine
would do him some good, after all.
    “I thought you were your father’ s son. I ’m sure he would have gone for the ale
first.”
    Eden hoped that Venn was still being
playful, and ventured a jovial response. “Given why we’re here, my
lord, I don’t think our king wants another Lord Shiver walking
around his court right now.”
    Vance practically roared, throwing his head
back and slapping at his stomach. Venn didn’t look quite so
impressed, a very thin smirk edging the corner of his mouth, and
Eden were sure that this would get back to either his father or his
brother. He had his cover story, though; he was trying to get in
league with the king, and at the moment speaking against a man who
had betrayed him would be a very simple way of pushing an alliance
forward. Even if that traitor happened to be his own father.
    “Come on, Venn, force a smile on that sour
face of yours. You didn’t think that was funny?”
    Venn laughed
nervously . “Of course your highness, it’s just that I feel
this matter is so serious. I don ’t think
we should make light of the situation. I especially don’t think
Shiver’s kin should be doing it.” There was a very dangerous
edge to Venn’ s words Eden didn ’t miss.
The meeting hadn’t