Rebel attack?I tried not to look too interested in their conversation, but if there was unrest in the fae realm, it could help our cause.
Captain Pezar’s accusatory stare bore into Prince Azaren, but the prince didn’t blanch. “I do not doubt that as captain of the guard, you were more than able to assist in the matter in my absence.”
“Indeed,” Captain Pezar confirmed, jutting out his chin and puffing out his chest.
A proud gleam shone in the captain’s eyes, and I resisted the urge to sneer at the male’s posturing. It was clear he thought too highly of himself, and I couldn’t stand the sight of him. If I wished to see such behavior, I would have stayed with the House of Saceris. But even more troubling was the fact the captain acted like Prince Azaren was his subject rather than his crown prince. I had assumed Prince Azaren held great power in his realm. Enough power to keep us out of the dungeons and away from the executioner’s block.
Watching the males before me had me doubting the prince’s plan. My gaze slid to where Raine remained still in the middle of our smaller circle. She watched the prince and the captain intently, her beautiful head slightly cocked to the side and her mind working just as hard as mine was.
I focused on the weight of the cool steel in my hands. Whatever happened here, I was ready.
“Well, now that’s confirmed, as you can plainly see, I am in need of medical attention and a soak that lasts the better half of a century,” Prince Azaren said jovially, bringing my attention back to him. “If you’ll kindly release my friends, I’d very much like to be back at the palace.” He beamed at us then, his eyes lighting up like we weren’t monsters who’d repeatedly rendered him unconscious but rather friends whom he held in high esteem.
Captain Pezar’s brows slammed down, and his gaze cut to us. “Friends?” he asked skeptically. “We were led to believe these merehumanswere the ones who tortured and kidnapped you. Rumor has spread that they were hoping to collect a ransom for your return.”
There was a beat of silence, and then Prince Azaren burst into laughter, the abrasive sound ringing through the trees.
Captain Pezar stiffened, his chin jutting out further and his back so straight it looked positively painful.
“Did you hear that, Raine? Pezar here thinks you kidnapped me,” Prince Azaren said when his laughter had died down.
Raine’s brows lifted, the female caught off guard when the captain’s attention fixed on her, but she quickly adjusted her reaction. “Told you I look fierce, my Prince,” she responded lightheartedly, her lips forming an amused grin.
My Prince.My eye twitched with annoyance.
Captain Pezar’s focus remained on her, his expression still suspicious, and my irritation grew. Resisting the urge to launch my sword into one of the fae captain’s eyes, I relaxed my features, molding my lips into a smile of my own. “We are resourceful, it’s true, but kidnapping isn’t among our list of achievements,” I said calmly as I sheathed my sword. I could sense the hesitation of my brothers, but they followed my lead, lowering their weapons as well.
“And whatwouldbe in your list of achievements?” Captain Pezar asked icily, then he wrinkled his nose and sneered. “Smelling like swine?”
“Rescuing the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Zalei from torture by the monsters of Katakin and returning him home,” Prince Azaren said, his serious tone like a lash slapping across the captain’s face.
Captain Pezar jerked his head toward the prince. “You can’t honestly expect me to believe these humans are—”
“Heroes,” Prince Azaren declared. He pulled his shoulders back, and it was the first time I’d seen him act like the prince he was. “These humans were also captured by the Katakin monsters, and they helped me escape. We were in the dungeons together, and if it weren’t for them, I would no longer be here. A monster had almost bled me dry, leaving me without access to my magic, but these honorable souls rescued me.”
Heroes? Honorable souls?I arched a brow at that, but I had to admire the prince’s act.
“I am sure King Chalir would want us to show gratitude to the ones who saved my life,” Prince Azaren continued, and he directed his next words to the soldiers surrounding us. “So lower your weapons, unless of course, you do not respect the life of your prince and wish to be tried for treason.”
A moment passed, but then the soldiers all stood up their spears and knelt with one knee on the ground while they lifted their free arms above their heads. “May the prince shine,” they chanted in unison, and I didn’t miss the way Captain Pezar’s top lip curled at the show of loyalty.
Spinning around, Captain Pezar faced the portal. “Oh, I look forward to hearing you explain to your father why you created a forbidden portal to Katakin and landed yourself in that situation.”
Exiting the portal, we emerged into some kind of large sitting room. Oiled portraits lined the walls, hanging in delicate silver frames, and various velvet armchairs were arranged around the space. A group of beautiful fae were waiting for us when we arrived, and they gushed over Prince Azaren, one of them almost fainting at the sight of his battered body.
They glared at us as they led the prince away with murmured promises that they would take him to the jewel and restore him to good health. I didn’t know what this “jewel” was, perhaps a healing device of some kind. Either way, the prince’s well-being was out of our hands.
The rest of us had to surrender our weapons, and Kade and Locke had to give up their satchels, then we were ushered down a series of long corridors and into a large, extravagant bedroom. I frowned at the two double beds.
“This was the best we could do on such short notice, unless you’d rather the cells? Theladywill occupy the next room,” Captain Pezar explained.
Kade looked ready to tear the captain’s head off for even suggesting we separate, wolf shifter or not, and the rest of us moved closer to Raine.
“King Chalir has requested the arrangement, so unless you wish for your first council with the king to be about you wanting to defy his wishes, I suggest you move back,” Captain Pezar added, his eyes sparkling like he wanted us to continue to resist.
I clenched my jaw.
“It’s all right,” Raine said slowly, like she wasn’t keen on being away from us either. “It’s only the next room. I’ll be fine.”
