I clenched my fists tightly as I left the King’s chambers with a rucksack tossed carelessly over my shoulder. I could feel the anger still boiling in me as the conversation we’d had played over and over in my head now. I was barely aware of my surroundings as I walked through the dark castle.
King Sebastian had been in an especially grumpy mood this morning, insisting that I stay in the City of Asolia this summer instead of running off to the “dark, soot-drenched mountains” like I did every year. How dare he demand I stay at court in Draoinearea! His claim that my honor as “Princess Natori’s betrothed” being at stake was just utter bullshit that he’d made up to fit his own agenda, just like the damn proposal in the first place.
It wasn’t my fault she’d been kidnapped from our courts! In fact, if it weren’t for him, we would never have been in this mess in the first place. Now, he was trying to ruin my vacation because his little mastermind plan hadn’t gone, well, as planned.
I thought back to that dreadful night. Just a few days ago, the Elves sat in our halls as the King attempted to gain their favor for an alliance. One minute, I’d been dancing with Natori and studying the angry expression in her eyes, and the next, an unknown darkness had settled upon the room, and she was gone. Just like that. It was like someone had turned the lights off, but the darkness was different. It was something almost indescribable but could nearly be likened to a shadow dancing through the room like fog does in the early Fall mornings. I’d never seen anything like it, and no one could explain it afterward, either.
The whole thing was unusual. There had been no warning of an attack, no proclamations or signs left behind. There hadn’t even been a ransom. I just couldn’t understand it. How did they know Natori would be there? Why even kidnap a princess if you weren’t going to ransom her? The whole situation didn’t sit right with me. Especially now that King Sebastian was trying desperately to uphold the impression that he had no idea what had happened. How does a princess get kidnapped from your own courts without you knowing a single thing about it? He’d claimed he was “looking into it” but hadn’t produced anything substantial yet to explain what’d happened. I refused to believe he didn’t know anything—he knew everything that happened in this court.
“She’s not my betrothed yet, your Highness. Don’t you worry about a thing. My honor is most certainly not in danger” I’d responded to him rather sharply at the time, before picking up my rucksack and heading toward the door. I may have been a little harsher than necessary, but I had no intentions of honoring his request. Not after this forced marriage proposal and not after the deal he and I had made when I accepted the job of Commander of the King’s guard. He knew my only demand had been to be able to return home to Mt. Sgailean, Beacastieal for two moons every year. He wasn’t going to take that away from me. It was the only joy I had left in this stupid, awful court.
I stopped now as I reached the large iron doors that lead outside, adjusting the pack on my shoulder. A piece of black hair fell into my eyes with a woosh. I pushed it away agitatedly before opening the door with a shove of my free shoulder. The large slab creaked as it swung open, revealing the bright blue sky outside with not a cloud in sight. I stepped out onto the stone ledge on the other side of the door and looked up.
The sun was shining brightly, and the cloudless sky meant that the normally bearable temperatures were going to be amplified by the dry hot desert around us. If I didn’t get airborne soon, it would be too hot even for me, and I’d have to delay my trip. Perhaps, that was the King’s plan after all. Frustration grew in my stomach at the thought.
Outside, two guards stood watch. They nodded to me as I stepped off the ledge and toward the courtyard. I nodded back, trying to conceal my deteriorating mood. The courtyard was busy this afternoon with Fae bustling about in the chaotic aftermath of the grand feast, desperately trying to shore up any weak points in the castle’s defenses. The royal Elven guests had left almost at once after Natori had been kidnapped—their faith in our security vanished as they panicked over the safety and whereabouts of their daughter. Dissatisfied with the King’s inability to explain what had happened, King and Queen Thorold stormed out claiming they’d find answers on their own, one way or the other.
I’d be surprised if the alliance happened now after such a disastrous ending to the night. Not that I was complaining, really. If it meant I wouldn’t be forced into marriage, then so-be-it. Though, I did feel bad for Natori. I really did hope she was all right.
I wasn’t paying attention to the members of the court as I made my way through the busy courtyard. They all gave polite nods, or boisterous smiles and some even offered a courteous wave. I was usually kind in return, offering waves and smiles of my own, but not today. Today, I barely noticed them as I still brooded over the conversation with the King.
At least, I had been until I stopped dead in front of my mother, Priscilla. She was unexpectedly standing in the middle of the courtyard with her hands crossed over her chest and a scowl plastered on her face.
“Kyrion Lothian. It is rude to ignore people. I know I taught you better than that” her voice was scornful, but I could still hear the faint teasing tone that seemed to always shine through when she scolded me.
My mother and I had always been close, closer than I ever had been with my father. In fact, part of the resentment I held for the court stemmed from being ripped away from my mother and being forced to spend most of my time apart from her, and in a place I dreaded no less. Though I’d never tell her that; I knew she’d drop everything to come live at the court and reunite our family. I couldn’t do that to her—if it pained me not to be at home, it would be much worse for her. She was a dragon-rider; her heart and loyalties would always lie with the dragons in the northern mountains, just like mine did.
“Sorry, ma” I said, running a hand through my smooth hair, afraid to meet her gaze. Instead, I noticed that her long brown hair had been tied back in a constricted braid and her body was wrapped in tight fitting riding leathers. She must have been out with Saraiah; I thought as I avoided her eyes in embarrassment.
It was uncommon for her to be at court at all, but she’d come almost at once when she’d heard about my proposed marriage and Natori’s kidnapping. She wasn’t happy with my father when she found out he let the King negotiate a marriage for me without my consent or knowledge. Though regardless, she’d also been sympathetic to my father’s stress in the aftermath of it all and came to support him. I knew she loved and cared for my father, and it was hard for her to see him in such a situation. Despite all that though, I wondered if she was feeling the same call to the cold mountains like I was right now.
“I thought you’d already be off by now. Your sister is expecting you tonight” she said, regaining my focus. She uncrossed her arms and put one around my shoulder and pulled me in closer to her. I briefly thought of the fuss Coralyne would make at my tardiness.
“The King wanted to see me before I left. He wants me to stay here this Summer—it’s this whole stupid marriage thing with Natori. He thinks it will look bad if I ‘run away’ days after my unofficial fiancé is kidnapped” I admitted. Together, we continued through the courtyard to the large stables. Usually, Shadowfire was the only dragon in the stables, but now my mother’s dragon, Saraih, was also in there while she was visiting court.
“Hmm. And are you?” my mother paused before adding, “Staying, I mean”.
“No” I said, trying to keep the disdain from earlier out of my voice. The look she gave me in response made the hair on my arms stand up. I knew she was waiting for an explanation. Quietly demanding one really, with the way her eyes lit with a fierceness. She’d always hated it when I gave simple one-word replies.
“What? It’s not like we are actually betrothed. Nothing had been agreed to yet, and it probably never will now that she’s been kidnapped from our courts” I rambled. Anger I’d been feeling from the situation began to build up again. I shook my head, trying to clear it. My mother has been the only one on my side regarding this forced marriage thing. She wasn’t questioning me now, just simply wanting me to share.
“Hmm” was all she said in response, her gaze focused on the distance. “I can’t imagine what that poor thing is going through right now. She must be so lost and scared”. I could tell she wasn’t going to press me further—she knew it was a touchy subject.
I didn’t respond. It wasn’t that I hated Natori. It wasn’t like that at all. I hated that I was being forced into marrying her without any say in it. It’s not like she wanted this, either. We didn’t love each other. We didn’t even know each other! How could the King truly expect us to enter into such an arrangement?
Besides, I’d always hoped that the mysterious purpled-eyed female I’d been dreaming of for years was really out there, waiting for me. What if she was, and I was already married? What then? I let my mind focus on the beautiful image that had haunted my dreams for years before I sighed deeply. Was I being delusional?
As we came to the western edge of the courtyard, we didn’t say anything more on the subject. I could tell my mother was thinking about the situation though, analyzing it over and over. I knew it didn’t sit right with her that this had happened with no clear explanation. That it happened at all. I couldn’t blame her—I didn’t like the situation either. It only further solidified my contempt for the Fae court.
We pushed through the iron gate leading out of the courtyard and down the final stretch of the stone path to the stables. I was anxious to mount Shadowfire and leave behind the dry deserts of Draoinearea. I could feel the pull toward my dragon as we drew closer and closer to the stables. It had been days since we’d gone airborne—something I usually did at least once every day. I was looking forward to the long trip ahead of me, just me and Shadowfire.
My mother must have been watching my convoluted expression, because she stopped me a couple hundred feet from the stalls. I let the rucksack I’d been carrying fall to the ground in a small puff of dust as I met her gaze quizzically. I knew whatever she was going to say was going to get under my skin, but I gave her my full attention anyway.
“I know you don’t enjoy court life, Kyrion. But really, you must improve your attitude” her voice was serious at first, but it didn’t take long for a smile to crack at the corner of her lips. Her next words came out more jokingly. “You’re starting to be grumpier than your grandfather these days, and that’s saying something”.
Oh gods, I thought grimly. I must have been truly dreadful if she was comparing me to Grandpa Lothian now. Grandpa Lothian, my father’s father and my uncle’s stepfather, had been the grumpiest person I’d ever met. He always had an opinion, and it was always the right one in his eyes. He came across as nothing more than a stubborn, rude, asshole, quite frankly. On top of that, he’d never liked me or Cora, nor had he approved of my father marrying outside of the Fae bloodline. I knew my mother had been joking when she made the comment, but it still struck too close to home.
Despite the remark, I couldn’t help but smile as I met my mother’s cool green gaze. I pulled her in for a tight hug before whispering, “I’ve just been cooped up too long. I’ll be better the second I’m on Shadowfire”.
“Like mother like son” her words were warm, and she pulled slightly away to look at my face. She brushed a piece of hair out of my eyes as she examined me. She was right—despite sharing my father’s Fae blood, I was truly more alike my mother—a dragon-rider with no stronger connection than the one I had with my dragon.
“I wish you were coming with. It won’t be the same without you home this year” I told her, taking her hands in mine.
“I know darling, I do too. There is no place at court for one with the heart and blood of a dragon” she responded, squeezing my hands.
We pulled apart, and my mother smiled fondly at me. She took a step back and placed one hand on her heart, blowing a kiss to me with the other and whispering “Safe travels, son”.
I caught the airborne kiss, holding it to my heart in return. I watched as she began to walk back toward the courtyard, likely retreating to the castle to be with my father. I waited until she disappeared behind the iron walls of the courtyard gates before I turned my attention back to the stables.
If I were lucky, I’d arrive in Mt. Sgailean before the moon was at its zenith. Cora would be pissed at me for arriving late, but I didn’t care. I was going home; that’s all that mattered. I’d be able to put all this court nonsense behind me and finally be free to be myself for a couple of moons.
As I pulled open the stable doors, anticipation growing in my stomach, I heard a loud commotion erupt behind me. I turned my attention briefly back toward the courtyard, but didn’t make any move toward the sound. I was off duty—it wasn’t my problem anymore.
I hesitated in that state for several moments, before the commotion got louder and I let out a deep, troubled sigh. As long as I was the Commander of the King’s guard, it would always be my problem. I’d made a promise to the King and his court; an oath that I would protect him and his Kingdom with my life. What a mistake that had been—even if the King was my uncle.
I turned back around and began making my way up the stone path, but I didn’t make it very far when another guard popped his head out of the iron gate I’d come through.
“There you are, Ser Kyrion! We need you! There’s a female out here demanding to see the King, but she won’t say anything else. She will only talk to the King” the breathless guard let out quickly as he came to a stop in front of me.
I held my hand up to the bridge of my nose for a moment. It was just going to be one disaster after another around here, apparently. The castle guards couldn’t even handle a silly, harmless, female without running to me! Would I ever make it out of here?
I gestured to the guard, I think his name was Quintin, to lead the way. I followed behind him as we made our way through the gate and into the courtyard. My arms were crossed over my chest, and I knew I had a scowl plastered on my face. I must have looked intimidating, because some of the Fae walking about turned and quickly paced the other way as I strolled past them.
My mother hadn’t gotten much further either, and she watched now from the sidelines as a massive crowd began to form at the center of the yard. She raised her eyebrows when she saw me again. I shrugged my shoulder, nodding to the crowd.
“Don’t keep Cora waiting too much longer, son. You know how she is. She’ll have you sleeping with the dragons if you piss her off” my mother whispered gently, jokingly, to me as I passed her. I couldn’t help but smile. That was her attempt at easing the anger I still felt, which must have been obvious on my face. At least to her.
As I approached the gathering and boisterous crowd, I noticed several of the court members I’d seen earlier. They were all focused on something in the middle of the group, but it was hard to tell what was really going on with everyone yelling. They all made way for me as I shouldered my way through the crowd.
At the center of the chaos was a female; an Elf by the looks of it. She was hunched over, nearly being trampled by the court members surrounding her. Her skirts were in shambles, torn by the people in the front of the group that were crowding her in. They were all speaking loudly and demanding she explain herself. After the breach in our security at the feast, it was no surprise that everyone was on edge with the stranger who required the King’s audience without explanation.
“What’s going on here?” I demand, trying to pull back some of the more aggressive Fae who didn’t want to let up. They bristled, pointing angry fingers at her, but soon stepped away once they realized who I was. Off to the side, some of the servants gave looks of relief as I took charge of the situation. Others just scowled, turning away in anger.
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“She won’t say who she is or why she’s here, Ser Kyrion” one of the more forceful Fae, whose name I didn’t know, spat in my direction. I eyed him briefly, before patting his shoulder and dismissing him.
“Let’s just give her some space. She’ll explain herself, but she can’t do so if you’re all yelling over her and trampling her” I said, my voice calm. Finally, all the remaining Fae either drifted off to the sidelines to watch the commotion or disappeared entirely; the few court guards present took their places behind me, looking to me for leadership.
Once a space had been cleared and I could see the female clearly, I held out a hand to steady her. She looked weak, and troubled, but her silver eyes sparked with interest when she looked up to meet my gaze. When my hand met her shoulder, something changed in her expression. I couldn’t quite read it, but there was something off putting about the way she intently stared at me now. It was both like she was staring into my very soul, and not seeing me at all at the same time.
All of a sudden, she started whispering. I could barely hear her, but I caught some of what she’d been saying, though it didn’t make any sense. “No one can know about her” and “the prophecy is true”, and finally, “his death is coming, long at last”.
Startled, I took a step back, but that didn’t break her gaze. Instead, it only seemed to intensify. I stood staring back at her, intrigued and frightened by what was happening. Did she have some sort of Clairvoyant or mind-reading ability? Was she using it on me now?
Finally, after a moment, she blinked and shook her head as if to clear it from the weird trance she’d been in. I took the opportunity to straighten my posture and clear my own mind, too. I couldn’t figure out the strange feeling that settled over me. All I knew was that it shouldn’t have rattled me the way it did, and I was going to do my best to pretend it hadn’t happened.
“What is your name” I asked now, watching as she tore her gaze from me and let it rest on the ground in front of her.
“My name is Nani” her voice was barely a whisper. Whatever had just happened between us had clearly affected her just as much as me, though I still couldn’t explain what had happened exactly in the first place.
“Nani, I am Ser Kyrion. I am the Commander of the Kings Guard” I started, ignoring whatever had just happened. She still didn’t look up at me, so I continued. “Why do you seek an audience with the King?”
She looked at me then, and her entire demeanor changed. Now, she stood up straight, holding her head high. She was small, no taller than my shoulders, but she looked at me again with a fierceness that reminded me of my mother. I got the impression now that she would not be afraid of me or this court, no matter how much we tried to intimidate her.
“I have something very important to tell him. Something he’ll want to hear” her voice was calm, though it faltered at the end. With a huff, she passively patted the dust of her ruined dress with exasperation, side-eying the Fae who still stood to the side watching intently.
“What do you want to tell him?” I ask, noticing out of the corner of my eye the guards behind me shifting uncomfortably.
“Not here, Ser Kyrion. I will only tell the King”. Her response was curt, and she held my gaze with confidence now.
“You understand I can’t simply take you to the King without any explanation”. My voice was smooth, but I was growing agitated. Why did she, or any of the Elves for that matter, have to be so stubborn? I don’t know how they do things in Aosipora, but surely, they understood they couldn’t just walk in here and demand to see the King.
“Please, Ser Kyrion. The King will be glad to hear the news I have to give him, you must believe me” Nani said, practically begging. I started to feel bad for her, but before I could respond, she leaned in and whispered to me. She was so quiet; I doubted anyone else could hear her. “It involves your impending marriage, Ser Kyrion”.
She studied me briefly as I scrunched up my eyebrows in confusion. How did she know about the marriage proposal, and what kind of information could she even have that would be worth something to the King? I had to admit, the whole situation was awaking a curiosity in me.
I took a moment to consider. I knew the King would be furious if I brought this stranger before him without an appointment, and with no clue what she had to say to him. Especially with everything else that was going on. This would surely sour his mood even further.
After thinking it over, I made up my mind. With a flash of both guilt and relief, I knew that taking Nani to the King would ruin his entire evening. It’s not like he hadn’t ruined mine—I should be in Mt. Sgailean by now, and yet, here I still stand. Not to mention, I was still angry about the whole marriage thing. It was something I should have had a say in, but instead, my hand had been forced. I didn’t think I’d ever get over it. Especially if I did have to marry Natori.
“Come with me, Miss. I will escort you to the throne room” I said courtly, holding my arm out to her. One of the guards behind me made a shocked noise, but quickly held his tongue. None of the others made a sound. I was the Commander; my word was to be obeyed.
She rested her hand on my arm, and I led her away from the now outraged court members and toward the castle proper. I could hear their grumbles and disapproval, but I didn’t care. I was getting a kick out of this. I knew Nani wouldn’t pose a threat to the King—there was no way she’d be able to with a room full of armed (and magical) guards, myself included. I wondered briefly what my mother was thinking right now as I led this stranger to see the King.
As we walked up to the path, I turned to one of the guards who’d taken position on my left. “Please notify the King he is to receive an audience in the throne room” I requested, keeping a respectful tone to my voice. Though I hated the job, and wasn’t fond of my uncle, I knew the importance of having my men respect me. The only way to earn their respect was to be respectful to them in return. It had gone fairly well for me, and I had a good relationship with the guards, despite my desires not be involved in this courtly nonsense.
The guard gave me a pained look, his head turning to Nani. I smiled and reached my hand out to gently squeeze his shoulder with encouragement. “Don’t worry, you won’t take the blame for this. You can tell King Sebastian this was all me” I winked, ushering him toward the castle. The guard looked slightly more relieved, and quickly jogged ahead to warn the King.
I didn’t watch as he disappeared inside the castle. Instead, I focused my gaze on Nani. With my eyes never leaving her, I thought back to the look she’d given me earlier. I struggled to prevent a chill from running down my spine and I still couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling I’d felt as she appeared to look into my spirit. Had she been using some sort of unknown power on me? Who was this woman, and what could she possibly want with the Fae? What did she know about Natori and I? Questions like this continued to run through my head as we made our way through the courtyard.
Either she didn’t notice or chose to ignore the fact I’d been staring at her the entire time it took us to reach the castle. We now approached the same doors I’d walked out of not too long ago. When we reached the door, she looked up at me with weariness. The same guards I’d nodded to earlier were still on duty, and they gave me a puzzled, but not questioning look.
“Shall we?” I asked, and she gave a curt nod. One of the guards we’d approached rushed to open the doors, and we stepped inside and made our way quietly to the throne room. The only sound present was the tapping of our footsteps echoing off the stone hallway.
It didn’t take much longer to reach the velvet curtain that led into the throne room. I ducked inside, leading the way, and was surprised to see the King already waiting on his throne. He had a look of pure outrage on his face, but he didn’t say anything as the three guards—including the one I’d sent ahead—took posts around the room, surrounding the King nondiscretely.
Finally, King Sebastian Silverthorne spoke with ice as we came to a stop in front of him, “What is the meaning of this, Ser Kyrion”.
“Your Highness” I smirked as I bowed deeply, stepping up to the throne. He grumbled before releasing me casually. When I looked up, I noticed the wrinkles on his fat face protruded deeper above his eyebrows; he was angry. It took everything in me not to laugh. Instead, I gestured Nani up to me. “This is Nani from King Fernand’s court. She seeks a private audience with you”.
Nani looked much frailer now as she stood in front of the Fae King. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, and there was a slight tremble as she avoided his gaze. “Thank you for seeing me, King Sebastian” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“Nani, is it? What a peculiar name” the King scoffed, taking in her appearance. “Why has the Elven court sent a servant to seek my audience? Why not King Fernand himself?” His voice was rude, and Nani flinched as his harsh gaze remained on her. She nodded weakly, still afraid to meet his gaze.
Well, that’s interesting, I thought to myself. She was afraid of King Sebastian.
“King Fernand couldn’t be here, and he insisted I was the only person in his courts that he trusted enough to deliver this news to you. I have been serving the royal Elven family for hundreds of years” her voice was growing stronger, though she still had none of the confidence I’d seen in her earlier.
“And why does King Fernand seek my audience? Has he sent you to accept the alliance?” The King asked, his voice growing angrier. I could tell he had no patience for this small female in front of him. He was likely pissed at King Fernand for sending her in the first place. He’d never respected females when it came to court politics—his opinion had always been that they should be seen and not heard.
“I have word of the Lost Princess, your Highness” Nani said, her voice still quiet. Even I had heard about the Lost Princess, and I wasn’t surprised either when the King straightened his spine, a look of interest growing on his face.
The story of the Lost Princess was a tale I’d once been told as child. When I was young, I’d thought it was nothing more than just a story. It was only when I’d turned sixteen and came to the court that I realized it was a true story and not some fairytale after all. The story of Irrhueitha Edgewood, the Lost Princess of Draoinearea.
Before King Sebastian Silverthorne sat the throne, Draoinearea was ruled by the Edgewood’s; the last line of Old Fae who’d sat the throne for centuries. Though there had once been other powerful Old Fae bloodlines, the Edgewoods were the only direct descendants of the great Goddess Cyathea. I’d grown up on stories that they’d been unjust, cruel leaders, so it was no surprise to find out what happened next. Nearly 230 years ago, on the evening of the Winter Solstice, 6070 A.C., a disaster struck the City of Asolia. During the night, the King and Queen had been found murdered in their beds, their servants too.
Only after the raid, nobody could find the sweet young princess, Irrhueitha. At first, they believed that she may have escaped the cruel fate of the conquest, but as time grew on and there had been no sightings of her, she became known as the Lost Princess.
Eventually the Fae stopped looking for her. Stopped believing that Irrhueitha was still out there. Most, if not all, Fae believed Irrhueitha was dead now—there had been no proof otherwise, after all. They’d accepted Sebastian Silverthorne as their ruler and believed him when he’d said that he’d freed the Fae from a horrible Fate under the Edgewoods. King Sebastian, however, still believed Irrhueitha was out there. I knew he believed she was just hiding away so he couldn’t find her.
“Do you, now?” The King’s voice broke my chain of thought. I refocused on his face as he continued speaking. “I’d begun to think I’d never receive news on the matter. Please, do your best not to disappoint me” The King said, mild disdain still in his voice. Despite that, I could recognize an unusual fiery interest glowing in his eyes.
“Of course, Your Highness” Nani bowed gracefully, straightening back up. Though she was doing a great job at holding herself more confidently now, I could still feel the fear coming off her. “I have been sent on behalf of King Fernand and the Elvish Court to make a deal with you” her voice steady.
“And what does this have to do with Irrhueitha Edgewood?” the King hissed.
“King Fernand has spent years tracking reports of Irrhueitha in Aosipora, and he has finally found her” Nani began, looking to the King before she continued.
King Sebastian was looking at her with an expression I couldn’t quite comprehend. He gestured to Nani— “And what is this deal King Fernand would like to make”.
“King Fernand has it on good authority that King Aurther was the one who orchestrated Natori’s kidnapping, though he has no plans of offering a ransom. We worry about his true intentions for kidnapping her, and we need your help. Afterall, it was your courts from which she was kidnapped in the first place. King Fernand would like to make a trade—in return for your courts assistance in providing Natori’s safe return to us, King Fernand will deliver Irrhueitha Edgewood to you personally” her voice was barely a whisper in the large room.
The King didn’t say anything for a long moment, but sat with his gaze locked on Nani, a look of contemplation on his face. I found it surprising to hear news that the Lost Princess was not dead after all. I studied the King’s reaction, wondering if he too was surprised. He didn’t seem to be, which was odd.
“Hmm, that is an interesting offer indeed, Nani. How regretful King Fernand couldn’t be here to ask himself. I do love the idea of seeing him grovel before me” the King’s voice trailed off into a dark chuckle, all the while not taking his gaze off Nani.
It took everything in me not to sneer at the King; what a condescending piece of—I was thinking when the King’s voice cut off of my thoughts.
“I do see the advantages of rescuing Princess Natori” he made a satisfying click in his throat before continuing. “But my services cost much more than their offering. No, I don’t just want Irrhueitha, I want their agreement to my proposal of alliance” his voice was cocky, as it usually was, but there was also a hint of excited I hadn’t seen in his eyes in many years.
“You mean the wedding, Your Highness” Nani’s voice seemed to crack now, but she held her gaze steady.
“Yes, the wedding. There will be no alliance otherwise. Do you need to return to King Fernand to relay these terms?” The King’s voice was edged with impatience. He sneered at Nani as she stood before him with her head slightly bowed.
Despite King Sebastian being uncomfortable doing business with Nani instead of King Fernand, he clearly was too anxious to have everything he’d wanted fall into his lap to say anything outright. I finally peeled my eyes away from him in disgust.
“Truly, the prize of finally catching Irrhueitha after all this time is a worthy enough prize on its own, Your Highness?” Nani countered, holding the king’s burning gaze. I held my breath, quickly assessing his reaction. He most definitely would not have liked that taunting tone.
“I see King Fernand has not trained his servants on how to speak to the royalty before them” he hissed at her, raising his hand up as if to hit her. I took a step forward then, and the King waved his hand dismissively instead.
“Irrhueitha and the alliance. That is my price. They do not get to stroll in here, no, send a servant in here demanding my audience and begging for my help without paying the price they have been avoiding for far too long” his voice was loud and final, even making one of the guards at the doors to the throne room flinch.
Peculiarly, Nani’s gaze looked up to mine before she responded. She took a hesitant sigh, before turning away and meeting the King’s gaze once more.
“Then he accepts these terms”. She said coldly, her voice barely a whisper in my ears as the reality of the situation played on a loop in my head. Natori and I were to be married, it was official, I thought grimly.
The King had a maniacal grin plastered to his face and clapped his hands in celebration. “Wonderful!” he proclaimed. I swallowed the lump growing in my throat, desperately trying to control the rage coursing through my veins. Looking down, I noticed I’d clenched my fists so tightly that they had cut into the skin on my palms, leaving a faint red crescent shaped slash across each hand.
“Now, of course, we’ll have to keep you here, Nani. You understand, don’t you? An act of good faith on the part of King Fernand that he delivers his end of the bargain once we find Natori” the King said waving the guards forward. They each had long spears in their outstretched fists that I hadn’t seen them grab.
“That is fine, Your Highness. I only ask that you send along a note to the Elvish court of the news, so they oughtn’t worry about my failure to return” she declared, no sign of the earlier fear she’d shown present in her face now. I could tell it was still buried in there, but she was wroth to be showing it to his face.
The King waved her away meekly as the guards took hold of her. “Take her to the dungeon” he ordered, dismissing the guards who tugged Nani between them.
“The dungeon? Is that necessary, your Highness? She is merely a guest of the court on a show of good faith, is she not?” I objected, looking up at the King as I crossed the room to where Nani had been dragged.
“Nani is withholding information on a known criminal of our court, Ser Kyrion. You’ll find I’m well within my rights—I will adhere to the terms of our negotiation by returning her unharmed should King Fernand uphold his end, but she will remain as a prisoner of our court until such exchanges are made, not a guest” The King gutted an angry response, turning his red hot gaze toward me. I grimaced, whipping around to go after Nani.
The guards continued pulling her out of the throne room, her dress tearing even further than it had before as she dangled helplessly between them. I noticed in dismay they’d managed to shackle her in iron chains in order to suppress her ability to use magic.
As I approached, one of guards, Quintin, turned to face me. He held his staff out with the tip pointed at my chest. I could tell he wasn’t happy about this either, but orders were orders. Especially orders from the King. I stopped, seething, as he slowly retreated with the rest of the guard who carried Nani to a dark cell under the castle.
I knew the King could be cruel, but how could he truly go this far? As I watched Nani disappear from sight, I turned to the King in anger.
“This wrong and you know it” I said trying to keep my voice cool and even. There was no point reasoning with him if all we did was yell at each other.
“Ser Kyrion, I rather thought you knew more about what was expected of you on the council. You’ve been sitting on it for years now; haven’t you learned anything?” His response made me clench my teeth.
“All I’ve learned, it seems, is what not to do” I hissed without thinking. I turned to storm away, ready to get away from it all and finally get on my way to Mt. Sgailean. Why wasn’t I there already, anyway? I asked myself as I neared the velvet curtains at the far end of the room.
“You know you’re forbidden to leave on your little trip now, don’t you, Kyrion? You’re needed at court for a royal mission” The King laughed. The screech was so dark sounding it sent a shiver down my spine.
“Are you truly going to stop me?” I hissed, before turning around to face him again. “I’d like to see you try” I snapped back.
“You need to learn some respect, boy. You may be the Commander of the Kings Guard, but I am the King” he roared. I felt my breath catch in my throat as I watched him in silent anger, not wanting to provoke him further. “You will do as I say, Kyrion, or you’ll find that Nani won’t be the only new occupant of the dungeon” his voice echoed through the room.
“Do you understand?” he roared again at my failure to respond.
“Yes, Your Highness” I muttered.