His father hurried to catch up but Lerek didn’t slow his steps. He continued beyond the grand entry to the back, where the large circular staircase would take him to the gallery leading to the royal residences.
He was tired and hungry and cold. The pomp and other useless celebrations marking his return would have to wait.
“We need to talk, son,” his father called out at his back, the heels of his boots clacking along the marble. Lerek spared him a look over his shoulder and frowned when he saw his uncle, General Peleon, at his father’s side.
“We will, Emperor,” Lerek responded, his tone short. He didn’t miss how his father had called him ‘son’ in front of the retinue following in their wake. Lerek could count on one hand the amount of times his father had addressed him as such.
“But I am tired after a long journey and wish to rest first,” he added, his only concession a brief smile before turning down the corridor leading to his rooms.
Lerek’s steps faltered as he neared the double doors, recalling the last time he’d strode through them. He’d been excited to see his twin brother, Isher, after months apart.
Excited to enact the plans he’d made to marry Terena and leave Isher behind to stand as his double. How naive and selfish to think of himself over his own brother.
And now Isher was gone.
“Prince Lerek! A moment, please.”
Lerek glanced over his shoulder at his father’s steward, Salorus, huffing his way toward him, his face red and sweaty. “What is it?”
“Your Highness,” he panted, closing his eyes a moment as he fought for air. “My apologies, but your rooms are… at the other end of the hall. Please, follow me.”
Lerek frowned as he turned to the steward. The man had a wan smile on his face as he motioned for Lerek to follow.
Glancing at Xoran, he arched an eyebrow. The Captain of the Imperial Guard came stalking to his side, his face and garments as dirty as Lerek’s.
The man had found him in the midst of all the chaos in Colinas. As Lerek looked over at Terena fighting like a demon—well, like her father, Ares—the Heylisian soldiers with Xoran had surrounded him, ensuring his safe escape from the fighting. Before Lerek could protest, or at the very least speak with Terena one last time, Xoran had him astride a horse and they were tearing away from the battlefield and the city.
“I know where my rooms, are, Salorus. And they are this?—”
“I apologize for the confusion, Your Highness, but your father… that is to say, when you were—oh bother.” The man groaned and wiped his forehead. “Your brother, Prince Adonis, is the crown prince. After—after your death…”
Lerek blanched. His eyes darted to Xoran who gave him a quick nod. Growling, Lerek stalked toward the steward, waving his hand. “Fine. Where are my new quarters?”
“This way, Your Highness,” the man mumbled as he quickened his steps, his robes fluttering at his feet. Salorus turned right and walked toward a set of double doors near the end. Lerek snorted and shook his head.
Of course.
Not only had Adonis taken over his title and his rooms, but now Lerek had to make do with his much smaller accommodations.
Dismissing the steward with a snap of his fingers, Lerek stalked inside.
“Xoran!”
“Aye, Prince,” Xoran muttered. He looked dead on his feet, but stood straight and tall as he focused on a spot over Lerek’s shoulder.
“I want a word with you,” Lerek said as he strode through the antechamber into the dining area. The clack of Xoran’s boot heels told Lerek the soldier followed; but, of course he would.
Lerek quickly divested himself of his cloak and tunic, tossing both on the ground as he made his way to the bathing chamber. There were servants galore to prepare his bath, but Lerek wanted this time alone with Xoran before his father and the others thought it acceptable to intrude.
“You’re working with Terena, are you not?”
Xoran, to his credit, did not betray his thoughts. His face remained carefully blank as he shifted his narrowed brown eyes to Lerek.
“Highness?”
“Don’t,” Lerek said, holding up a hand. He turned away, hands on his hips. When he looked over at Xoran, the man had his eyes trained once again at a spot beyond Lerek.
“I know you’re working with her. Do not lie to me. And so the next question becomes: why am I not confronting you in front of my father?”
