“We intend for this alliance to continue after the present war,” Rhistel added. “King Érebo will not harm the winter fae again, and the mages could be included in that bargain. And anyone who might threaten us would have to deal with the might of three kingdoms.”
I wanted to laugh. To call my brother and King Magnus a fool for believing such things, but I was shackled to silence. Instead, I observed the mage. How he studied Érebo. How he weighed my twin’s words.
“My story is one of legend,” the Shadow Fae continued. “Shall I tell it to you, and what I hope for Isila—after we win this war?”
And there it was; a shift to building trust. As much as one could with a Shadow Fae.
“I will hear you out.” The mage’s magic in the room dwindled somewhat. “But first, let me call for more wine.”
Hours slipped by in that dank room. Hours during which the kings and the prince spoke and Thantrel and I stood by, listening. Pretending to guard.
My calves ached from remaining in one spot. My muscles thrummed with the plans the rulers shared. Their dreams of a newly shaped realm. All of them involved the death of my mate.
If the High King of Mages considered it odd that Thantrel and I barely moved and never spoke, he said nothing. Perhaps silence would be expected of someone like me, a spare heir and a warrior. I was not a real power unless I was backed by those loyal to me. And those fae were very far away.
“Shall we make an oath then?” King Magnus asked when the conversation came to a lull.
“I must admit, the idea of an alliance is enticing. My kingdom has not had one in so very long,” the mage spoke as if that wasn’t his own damned fault. “However, I sense you have not told me everything that I should know.”
The words landed heavily, and the other rulers tensed. For so long, the discussion had trended in a productive direction.
“Meaning?” Magnus asked.
“You see, mages, unlike fae, can develop new magical talents well into adulthood, and I am no exception. In recent turns, I have been learning how to sense magics. It gives me an advantage in many scenarios. Such as this one.” He smirked. “The Shadow Fae has come as a surprise, I’ll admit. And I know nothing of Thantrel Riis, but I’m well aware of what magics you, Prince Rhistel, and Prince Vale wield. However, there’s an odd thread of magic connecting you, Rhistel, to Vale and Thantrel.”
“Oh?” Rhistel tried to keep his tone neutral and failed.
“It’s a magic I’ve not singled out before,” the mage slowly rolled out his neck. “Powerful. Perhaps asecret?”
Rhistel stared at the mage. “You seem to have an inclination. Why don’t you just ask? My kind cannot lie.”
The king snorted as he gestured to the Shadow King. “His entire race can. Others have forgotten, but not me. So tell me, Prince Rhistel, what power are you hiding? What magic have you turned on these two?” He gestured to me, then Thantrel. “If you wish for my backing, you will tell menow.”
Hope ripped through me. Rhistel’s whispering magic was his most closely guarded secret. If he had planned to reveal it, he would have wanted to do so on his terms.
“Tell him, son.” Magnus cleared his throat. “It will get out soon anyhow with that whore knowing.”
“I want a promise of protection first,” Rhistel said to the mage. “A guard of your kind because fae will not like what I am. Attacks might come my way, but most fae are not used to fighting off mages.”
“That can be arranged. I have many powerful children who would come, thinking they can sway me into naming them as heir.” King Tyra spoke as if his children were idiots.
Rhistel gave a single nod, and if I didn’t know him so well, I’d think he was calm and collected. Confident. But the telltale signs to the contrary were there. The tension in his hands. The tightness of his neck.
“I’m a whisperer. I have my brother and Thantrel under my control. Many in the armies are loyal to Vale, and he is Isolde’s mate. Thantrel is Thyra’s mate.”
The mage smirked. “I thought that might be your power. And now I have one more stipulation.”
Rhistel blinked, clearly shocked by the lack of emotion the mage showed. But then again, why would he? All mages couldlie. The king had only wanted to put all the nuchi cards on the table.
“Which is?” Rhistel asked.
“You will take one of my daughters as your queen, and you will do so before you leave my land. Marriage between our kingdoms is the only way I can trust you.” The mage turned his gaze to the Shadow King. “The same goes for your line.”
“I know not if anyone in my line lives on,” King Érebo said. “But if they do, you have my word.”
“That will have to do. Magnus?” the mage went over Rhistel’s head, right to the king, who nodded.
“My son will wed a mage daughter.”
