Chu allowed himself to enjoy that look for a moment before he ordered, “Give direction to your women. I will send a message to you when we will all meet. It will not be long, little mouse, so do this packing. And pack light. We must make haste to Wodell and we don’t need our horses heavy. Yes?”

She nodded again.

“Go,” he commanded.

She did not go.

She took a moment to study him and he could not read her face as she did.

She then went.

He watched her walk away, and after she was gone was when Chu realized he remained unsettled by her manner.

It was trusting. Attentive. Businesslike.

And none of those were known traits of Serena of the Nadirii.

However, she had fought in the attack on the palace alongside the rest of them, so it could be she wished vengeance, and assisting in finding out who was behind that would take her closer to that aim. That said, she was allowing the Firenz to take the lead for it was their palace that was attacked.

Not to mention, there was an alliance between the Nadirii and Wodell, Wodell opening its mercantiles to the Nadirii to sell their wares (mostly woven baskets, other artisanal works, health tonics and liniments, and magical potions, brews and implements), which was important revenue for The Enchantments.

And although Wilmer was an unpredictable ruler who might, or might not, support the abolition of oppression in Airen, and sustain alliances depending on that decision, True was not so unpredictable.

Therefore, it could be she wished to be certain to keep that secure for her people.

However, the reason he was unnerved by her behavior was that it appeared she was simply what her manner suggested.

Trusting.

Attentive.

Businesslike.

She was a fierce warrior, and a very skilled one.

And Chu was not mistaken about her reputation. It was known widely she was so unpleasant and hostile as to be reviled by many, and it was feared Ophelia would leave the Nadirii to her rule, which many considered, with her disposition, would be catastrophic.

His king did not trust Serena with the information he’d trusted Chu to give to her.

He trusted Chu to have her in hand.

And Chu had her in hand, in play.

What Chu did not trust was that he had her in hand.

She detested her sister, did not hide it and took every opportunity to share this with her sibling.

And as far as she knew, they were riding to where her sister was, which was why Chu suspected Serena was behaving reasonably.

In order that the bully would be closer to her favorite prey.