Sitting in a field of flowers, the young woman hummed happily. She basked under the warm rays of the summer sun.

“Faye!” called a loud and deep voice.

A wide grin broke out across her face. “Adalwolf! Leif!”

Two men waved at her across the field. The tallest of them barked a loud laugh, opening his arms wide. Faye broke out into a run, her legs practically flying across the grass. She barreled into the taller man, practically tackling him. Despite the force, the young man held still. He threw Faye up into the air like she was still a child.

Faye burst out into joyful laughter. “Adalwolf!”

A rough hand mussed her hair as the second man joined them. Faye swatted at it playfully, smirking at the fake wince of pain. “Stop it, Leif.”

“Or what?” taunted the man.

“She’ll set her teeth on you that’s what,” warned the eldest of the three. Adalwolf rubbed his arm. “It hurts, I tell you.”

Faye buried her head into Adawolf’s chest. “Ada, I have missed you.”

“What of me?” Leif poked at her side. “Did you not miss me, Faye?”

The young woman rolled her eyes. “Of course,” she stuck out her tongue, “Not!” With that, she kicked at the warrior’s leg and attacked him.

The two rolled in the grass, each trying to grasp the upper hand. Leif shoved her. Grunting, Faye fell flat onto her back. The young woman let out a burst of joyful laughter. Tears welled up in her eyes as she giggled. “I have missed you,” she hiccuped, “so much.” She glanced at Leif. “Both of you.”

The two settled down beside her.

Leif chuckled, “I thought you would’ve forgotten us in favor of your new prince.”

“Faye would never,” defended Adalwolf. “She may have a thousand princes, but she will only have two brothers.”

Faye laughed softly. “Father’s other children might disagree.”

But they knew the truth.

The three stared up at the vibrant blue sky. A trio of hawks flew across the sky together. The two larger ones beat their powerful wings while the third, the smallest of them, lagged behind.

“Are you both well?” murmured Faye. She held up her scarred hands, blocking out the sun.

“Yes,” Leif turned to stare. Amber eyes identical to Faye’s stared sadly at her. “You are unwell, Faye.”

“I am fine.” Faye closed her eyes. “The Raven General is hard to take down.”

“You are dying, little one,” scowled Adalwolf. Her eldest brother had always been blunt.

“I am not so little anymore. I am a grown woman now, Ada,” Faye shifted to face him. His features were so similar to their father’s. Adalwolf was the spitting image of a young Fadye. Everyone had expected his reign to outshine his father’s. However, reality was cruel. Two brilliant sons, taken before their time.

“You will always be my baby sister, Faye,” chided Adawolf.

Although they shared different mothers, Iliana had raised Adalwolf like her own after his birth mother’s passing. When Faye was a sickly infant without a mother, Adawolf rode for days in search of a great healer. It was said he held her before their own father did.

“How is Mother?” asked Faye.

“Not in any hurry to see you,” said Adalwolf. “Why are you so weak, Faye? Where is your fighting spirit?”

The Raven General sighed weakly. “I am fine.”

“Is it that husband of yours?” growled Leif, cracking his fist. “Does he dare mistreat you, Faye?”

“Nikolai is civil with me,” reassured Faye, then her vibrant tone faltered. “But he does not hold the same affection I hold for him.” The young woman pouted like a child. “Brother, he rejected me. He said that I did not understand love.”

“How dare he!” Leif sat up. “I will kill him for you sister.”

“Nonsense, Leif,” Adalwolf had a fierce face, but he was the most level-headed of the three. “Faye, did you offer the man any insight into your feelings before this?”

“Yes.”

“That settles it. I’ll kill him,” vowed Leif again.

“Well, I planned to, but,” the young woman’s shoulders sagged. “Not really.”

Adalwolf ruffled her hair and laughed, “Things like this require time.” He shot her a fond look. “You likely scared the poor man. Patience, little one. If he is the one you choose, then give him time.” His gaze met her challengingly. “Unless he is not worth it.”

Faye stiffened. She had not thought of that.

Amber eyes fluttered close. “It is no matter.” She reached her hand to hold theirs, but they felt cold in her grasp. “For now, my life is in his hands.”

—

The assassin pressed himself to the wall and crept down the stairs. He had woken to the sound of unfamiliar voices.

It was most likely nothing. However, his years of experience bid him to act cautiously.

“No, my lord,” murmured the old woman. “Nothing out of the ordinary.”

There was a sigh. “I see. I apologize for disturbing you then,” apologized a familiar voice. It was the ice prince.

The assassin stiffened. He had left his blade in the room. Luckily, the kitchen knife he had swiped was hidden within his sleeves.

“However, I am sure you will not mind if I take a look,” announced the Lord of Feldgrau.

“Of course,” smiled the old woman.

The assassin burst from his corner. He pulled the old woman to his chest. She yelped at the sudden movement. The man held her own kitchen knife to the woman’s throat.

The Lord of Feldgrau stared at him with no hint of surprise. This was a setup.

The assassin growled. “How did you find me?”

“Let her go first,” the ice prince nodded at the old woman. “What grudge you hold against me has nothing to do with her. She is innocent.”

The words only made the assassin tighten his grip on the blade. He pressed it closer to the old woman’s neck. Any closer and the sharp edge would kill her. “Do not test me,” snarled the assassin eyes darting around like a crazed animal. “I know you do not come alone.”

“You are right,” admitted the lord easily. “My men surround the perimeter of this house and street. Even if you escape the two of us,” he gestured to himself and the old woman. “You will not leave this city.” He took a step forward, unflinching as the assassin brandished the knife in his direction.

“Then I should kill you anyway!” he howled.

“Leave her out of this then,” said the ice prince evenly, drawing his sword. “Do not spill innocent blood.” The Lord of Feldgrau smirked, “Even with one hand, surely you can beat me.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

The assassin snarled but seemed to consider the deal as his grip on the old woman loosened.

It was at this moment that Darcy and Cristin opened the door and entered. Light burst into the room. From the door’s opening, the assassin could make out the dozens of guards that lined the outside. The Lord of Feldgrau did not lie. They were truly surrounded. His only path was defeat.

“If I am to die.” The assassin laughed internally. This truly was a cursed mission. He twirled the kitchen knife between his fingers. “Then I will take you all down with me.”

The assassin shoved the old woman hard. As the ice prince turned to stare at her fall, he aimed the kitchen knife at the Lord of Feldgrau’s throat and made a run for him. Blue eyes shifted and watched his impending doom. Even now, the other man regarded him with a bored look. The assassin would claim the ice prince’s life if only to wipe that horrible look off his face!

“My lord!” warned Darcy, but he was too far away.

Suddenly, the assassin’s muscles seized painfully. He collapsed ungracefully in front of the Lord of Feldgrau’s feet. His chest seized and he coughed painfully. Blood sprayed from his lips.

The Lord of Feldgrau stepped back calmly to avoid soiling his clothes.

The assassin tried to lift his blade but his arms were weak. He could barely lift the kitchen knife. “What did you do to me?” His words were weak and slurred.

The ice prince lowered himself down. His blue eyes flashed dangerously. “Did you think I would not take precautions after last time?” He plucked the knife and tossed it to the side. “You’re lucky I need you alive. For now.” The lord held his blade to the assassin’s throat. “You’ve lost.”

“But how?” The assassin’s eyes grew blurry. How did the lord manage to drug him when he did not even know where he was hiding?

The old woman pushed herself up from the ground. Suddenly, she seemed years younger as her eyes cleared and her back straightened. She brushed her gray hair out of her face. “My lord, I apologize that it took so long.”

The assassin turned to face her. “It was you!” His face paled further. “The medicine.” She had been drugging him since the first day.

The old woman ignored the assassin and bowed to the lord.

“You did well, Elissa,” praised the ice prince. He turned to Cristin and Darcy. “Drag him away.”

Calling the last remains of his strength, the assassin picked up his blade and burst up. But his target was not the ice prince.

Elissa’s eyes widened as the blade came for her.

Nikolai’s heart thundered. “No!”

Before the blade could strike, a dagger cut at the assassin’s hand. A figure dropped from the ceiling, landing on top of the man, easily disarming him. The assassin groaned in pain as he hit the floor once more.

Elissa gasped. She held a hand to her pouting heart. “Thank the gods.”

Bian held the assassin roughly by the hair, glaring down at him. His dagger was pressed to the man’s throat. He stared at Nikolai expectantly.

Cristin and Darcy sighed in relief.

The Lord of Feldgrau sheathed the ancestral Feldgrau sword. He glanced at the boy gratefully. “If he tries anything else, Bian,” his eyes darkened, “slit his throat.”

Bian nodded. He glared down at the assassin who had passed out from the pain. The boy stood and dragged the now unconscious man out the door, uncaring as his face mopped the floors.

Cristin stared at Darcy. “Did you know he was up there?”

Darcy shook his head. “Did you?”

Cristin shivered and also shook his head. “Some songbird, they should have called him bat boy.”

—

Healer Johnathan was no longer a young man. But at the sight of the lord himself bursting into his study with the directions for an antidote, a surge of adrenaline rushed through him.

“A nasty poison,” he murmured. Slicing the white root, the healer pounded it until it created a fine powder. Holding his breath, the man added the powder into the medicine pot. He waited with bated breath as the color slowly changed.

Bian handed Johnathan the ladle. The two looked at one another excitedly. Johnathan filled the bowl, smiling too brightly as one did when they had not slept in days. “What a fine antidote. Truly, a masterpiece of genius and-”

His words were cut off as Bian tugged at his sleeve.

“Right. Less talking, more healing. It’s a pity you don’t understand the ingenuity of this, but no matter.” Despite his grumbling, Johnathan hurried to fill up the rest of the bowl and sprinkled in the final ingredient. It bubbled and then melted into the antidote, finally completing it.

The boy practically shoved the man out of the study. The two rushed toward their dying patient. “I really hope this works,” Johnathan’s hands were steady but he was an old man. And he refused to go one more night without sleep! “Please, please work,” Johnathan prayed under his breath. He turned to glare at the boy carrying the heavy medicine pot. “By the gods, move faster Bian!”

The boy glared at him but complied.

—

The hour was late. Nikolai resisted the urge to yawn.

After dealing with the assassin, a weight had fallen from his shoulders.

Donning his mask, the lord exited the Lucky Charm with Cristin by his side. There were only a few hours left before dawn but the warm glow of the colorful lanterns seemed far too bright.

“My lord,” Cristin stretched and rubbed his eyes. “Could we not have these meetings in the morning?”

Nikolai did not bother answering. Reaching into his pockets, he pulled out the precious jewel. Blue eyes studied the intricate workmanship of the jade ornament. Each within their inner circle had received one. The green glimmered. Its beauty was subtle but undeniable.

They had been a gift from the craftsmen at the mines. The ornaments also served as identification for those within their larger circle to certify one another’s identity.

“Brilliant idea, my liege,” commented the attendant as he studied his own ornament. Each was made unique for the individual.

Lifting his eyes, Nikolai studied the couples that still wandered the streets. Their copper coin bracelets tinkled as the coins clanked against each other. The ribbons in their hair only added to the brightness of the night.

“It’s the last days of the festival,” murmured Cristin.

Nikolai hummed but was silent.

Cristin poked at the stoic lord. “I can tell you are frowning under that mask. Relax!” He laughed heartily. “I’m sure she misses you just as much.”

“Misses me?” Nikolai stopped. Now that they were away from the crowd, he undid his mask. He shot Cristin a curious look. “How do you know that?”

“The girl by her side has a big mouth,” At Nikolai’s look, the attendant faltered, not expecting such seriousness. “Well, also” Cristin scratched his neck. “She cares a lot for you, so of course she would be upset that you are not spending the festivities together.”

He smiled sadly. “I’m certain anyone with such strong feelings would be the same.”

They passed by a merchant selling love charms. The stacks of papers were scattered messily. The man snored away, unknowing of the charms sticking to his face.

“How do you know of her feelings?” Nikolai continued to walk, but his pace was slow. There was a hint of suspicion in his tone. “Did she tell you this?”

Cristin guffawed, “Even a blind man could see it!” He held his lord by the shoulder, guiding him along. “She is clearly in love with you.”

“Nonsense,” Nikolai stiffened.

“Trust me, my liege!” Cristin pointed at the tips of the lord’s ears which were flushed. He stared at them with excitement and awe. “It’s clear you hold the same feelings as she!”

The ice prince shoved the other away. “No, I do not! Stop spouting ridiculous ideas, Cristin or I’ll double your paperwork.”

“I’ll just have Darcy do it for me,” Cristin waved the threat away, undaunted. “Rid yourself of all the reasons you can’t be together and tell me,” he ignored Nikolai’s deadpan stare. “Would it truly be terrible if you could also celebrate the festival? Walking hand in hand with one another’s coin and ribbon tying you together? Giving flight to a love lantern as a couple?” The attendant sighed dreamily. “Promising to love and cherish one another in this life and the next?”

The ice prince was silent. Cristin did not expect an answer. The fact they were having such a conversation was already a miracle.

“It would be nice,” admitted Nikolai softly. “But it would never happen.”

“By the gods,” grumbled Cristin, cursing his liege’s practical nature, “A pity. Your love story is like one of those tragedies from the old tales. Always hated those.”

“Is that why you brought four copies from Feldgrau?” Nikolai stared at the other, unimpressed.

Cristin crossed his arms, ignoring the comment. “Damn that Argan, if it weren’t for him, none of this would be an issue.” He mimed strangling the crown prince. “But not to worry my lord, I’m almost entirely certain she holds no feelings for him.”

“As if,” snorted Nikolai. “I think she would sooner punch him again. Well, when she wakes that is.”

Cristin laughed, “I mean, I would too if I were going to marry that brat.”

“Faye would never marry Argan,” said Nikolai bluntly.

“They are engaged,” Cristin tilted his head. “When did she punch him?”

Nikolai and Cristin both froze. They spoke at the same time.

“Did you say Faye?”

“What do mean engaged?”

The two pointed at the other accusatively but Cristin looked downright horrified. “I was talking about Lady Asinara!” His face flushed red from secondhand embarrassment and shock. “You were talking about the Raven General?”

Nikolai blinked. Suddenly, Cristin’s words made a lot more sense. He pointed behind the man. “Cristin, are those the sword covers Darcy was looking at?”

Tricked, the attendant turned to stare, only to frown at the empty stall. “Don’t you run away, my lord!”

But it was too late, Nikolai was already halfway down the street. At Cristin’s frustrated yell, he broke out into a run, sprinting back to the Prince’s Residence.

“Hey!” Cristin hurried to give chase. “What do you mean she had feelings for you?” Even as he said it out loud, the thought only made him scream even louder. “The Raven General has feelings for you?!”