“Is Lord Thaddeus a big fan of ivy?”
The guard turns over his shoulder, brows furrowing. “Turn around.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.” I laugh, taking a step backward to do what he’s asked of me.
The ground shifts, and the horrible noise of stone scraping against stone makes my ears ring. Despite the guard’s instruction, I spin to face the wall. It slides slowly apart to reveal a small, hidden room.
“Lord Thaddeus will see you now,” the guard says.
Casting him another smile, I breeze past him, biting my tongue so as to not upset my already surly guide.
The sunlight beams through several large windows, filling the hidden room with warmth. Vines and foliage scatter across the glass but not thick enough to keep out the light. A cool breeze sends a few of the fallen leaves across the floor.
A throat clearing draws my attention, and there on the dais sits a throne of woven branches with Lord Thaddeus, perched like royalty.
He’s just as I remember him, albeit significantly aged. His graying hair is swept back, barely gracing the tops of his shoulders. He dons the Jade Guild colors, wearing a green tunic with gold lining and dark breeches. His light eyes scour my face, the lines etched into his fair skin much more pronounced than when I saw him last just after my father died.
My jaw ticks at the memory. The sleepless nights I spent traveling here from Loxley. Begging Lord Thaddeus to show me the way to Valebridge. To help me take the throne. To avenge my mother. But just as Agnes always had, he denied each request.
“You’re bold to show your face here, Rudhek.”
“Are you surprised, Lord Thaddeus?” I smile, pushing the discomfort I feel in his presence away. Taking a step closer to the dais, I place my hands back in my pockets. “Did you think you could stay locked away forever?”
He scoffs and stands from his throne of branches. He takes the two steps down to the ground, pointing to a pair of wooden chairs surrounding a small, oak table. “Sit.”
Once seated around the table, a woman sweeps by, dropping off a kettle of tea and two chipped mugs. Without speaking, she fills our cups, the steam hitting my cheeks in an instant.
At first glance, the room we're in is grand. Stunning greens and dripping yellow light. White-washed stone and a throne made of earth. But as I wait for my tea, I realize just how broken everything looks. The deep crack running through the center of the dais appears as though it could snap in two any given moment. Even the chairs we sit in are worn on the arms. The dress the woman wears is fraying on the edges, her sallow skin at such odds to her shining hair.
“The last time I saw you, I told you you’d achieve greatness,” Lord Thaddeus says before pausing to take a sip of tea. “But that mouth of yours would doom you.”
The woman makes her exit and my eyes trail after her golden hair, barely recognizing the words Thaddeus has spoken. My skin prickles, and I finally turn to him.
He glances at my arm, where my black shirt has been pushed up to my elbows. “I see the rumors of William’s reckless son aren’t true. You bear no ink from the curse of the Wicked Wood.”
Oh, the rumors wereverytrue.
I take a small sip of tea, the bitter taste of pine needles coats my throat as I swallow it down. “My point in being here is brief, but unfortunately, the terms are severe.” I place my mug on the worn tabletop.
Lord Thaddeus eyes me for a moment before setting his cup down as well and crossing his arms across his chest. “You have five minutes.”
My eyes narrow at his command.
“You aren’t the king, Sorin Rudhek,” Thaddeus says, “so don't expect me to treat you as such.”
“That is my point, exactly.” I take another sip of my tea. “You’re one of the few that know my heritage. My father—William trusted you. And for many Winters aided your Guild and your people when the first uprising happened.”
“That was decades ago.” Thaddeus huffs a laugh, throwing his hands in the air. “We haven’t needed help from anyone in years. We’re managing fine.”
I nod, taking in his moth-eaten tunic, the shake of his hand as he reaches for his tea, the slight sag of his shoulders when he leans forward.
The Jade Guild is anything but fine.
“You have shut off communication with King Roman for the last four years.” I watch him intently. “Why?”
His cup lingers at his mouth. “For reasons that are none of your business.”
“But they are my business. Everything that happens here is my business.” I shoot him another smile, knowing damn well it will only frustrate him further.
