Xoran called out to enter and Lerek rushed forward, grabbing the handle and swinging the door wide.
“Quick,” Lerek muttered as he stepped aside. He nodded as Xoran passed, his eyes immediately moving to the vision behind him. It took him a moment to realize she was not alone. One of the mercenaries from the camp and another woman came inwith her. Terena closed the door behind her and smiled grimly at Lerek.
The mercenary, a large beast of a man with long ashen hair braided in the style of the Roisons, glared over at him as he crossed his thick arms. The steel blue of his eyes promised pain and punishment, neither of which suited Lerek.
“These aren’t your rooms,” Ren said, looking around the antechamber. “What happened? Solon gave them away already?”
“You’ve heard?” Lerek scoffed as he shifted his attention back to his love.
“Heard what?”
“About my brother? Adonis, my half-brother.”
Terena frowned and the way her nose scrunched made his heart stutter. He looked away.
“What about him?”
“Father had him officially announced as his successor. Only a month ago, but… He occupies the crown prince’s chambers now.”
“You’re the crown prince,” Terena said with a tilt of her head. Her hair flopped down her shoulder to swing gently. The way the light caught?—
“Lerek?”
“What? Aye, I am, but not technically. Father arranged for a feast on Helios, two days from now, to reinstate me as crown prince and heir to the throne. He’s invited the royals and other dignitaries, including several from beyond the Black Sea.”
“Congratulations.”
“Highness,” Xoran stepped in, looking between Lerek and Terena. “I must return to get her friends safely secured. I’ll meet you in the throne room.”
Before he left, Xoran turned back. “There’s an empty guest chamber in the Diamond Tower. One floor above the maingallery. It hasn’t been assigned to anyone arriving for the feast, so I’ll take your friends there. Do you know?—”
“I know this castle like the back of my hand,” Ren said before he finished speaking. She never moved her eyes away from Lerek while she spoke, but looked at Xoran when she finished.
Ren and Xoran exchanged a look. Lerek’s brows drew down as his captain closed the door softly behind him.
Turning to Ren, Lerek opened his mouth only to find she’d wandered further into the rooms, moving into the small dining room with its elegantly appointed crystal centerpieces and gleaming cherry Desseron chairs. One of those chairs could feed the orphanage of St. Adonis for a year.
No matter how many times Lerek complained about the excess, his father turned a blind and surly eye.
And this was the youngest prince’s former rooms.
“It feels strange being back.”
Lerek jolted at Terena’s words. She’d spoken softly, running her hand along the backs of the chairs. The other two remained in the antechamber.
Turning, Terena strolled into the main room, the plush seating strategically set. A large fire crackled in the hearth off to the right.
“Aye,” Lerek answered, clasping his hands behind his back as he followed her into the other room.
He watched as she gazed around at the furnishings and art on the walls. Pausing to look at a marble bust of his father, she tossed a wink at him over her shoulder.
“Was your father elated? His favorite son back from the dead.”
“Don’t…” Lerek shook his head. “Don’t say that.”
“What?” Terena quirked an eyebrow at him as her lips parted. “He wasn’t happy to see you?”
“Of course he was,” Lerek grumbled, mirroring her movements. He stopped when she did, crossing his arms over his chest.
