I kissed her forehead, knowing she spoke logically, even if I hated to let her go. “I’ll flag down Rynni and send her over. Call if you need anything.”
“I will.”
I squeezed her hand one last time, and in the last light of day, went to assess the damage.
Interlude
PRINCE RHISTEL AABERG, HEIR TO WINTER’S REALM, HOUSE OF THE WHITE BEAR
The heir of Winter’s Realm wrinkled his nose as he stepped on to the dock.
“By the dead gods, what is thatsmell?” Rhistel asked no one in particular.
“Grindavik is a port city. Fae fish here,” the king replied dully, as if he were sick of his son’s attitude.
Rhistel bristled. Days ago, they’d left Avaldenn, and his father had been testy throughout the voyage. Likely because the king had left his capital in the hands of Lord Roar.
Or perhaps his father had noticed that, after their rough first meeting, Érebo and Rhistel actually got on quite well. Two pages of the same book, or so Rhistel thought. There was really something to be said for an ally who had seen so much. Knew so much. Rhistel could not help but respect the ancient male.
Currently, however, the Shadow Fae king’s existence remained a secret known to only Rhistel, his father, Lord Roar, and others of the royal high council. Those who commanded armies. But soon, after they released the news of Isolde and Thyra wielding shadows, King Érebo would have to out himselftoo. When he did, how would the people of Winter’s Realm take it, small-minded as so many were?
And after they’d defeated the Falks, would Érebo try to take what belonged to the King of Winter as he and his queen had done millennia ago? Like the shadowy fae though he did, the heir thought such deception very likely. Perhaps it was that which had his father in such a foul mood too.
But instead of worrying, Rhistel waited. Considered. Learned more of their new ally. And most important of all, he kept to the plan.
If his father was smart, he’d do the same. Pity that, Magnus Aaberg, for all the tales and rumors told about him, had never been known for his intelligence. He was smart enough, certainly, but Rhistel and Saga had inherited most of their intellect and their powers of the mind from their mother.
Speaking of Mother.
Rhistel took in the queen, trailing behind them, walking next to the Shadow Fae King dressed as one of their Clawsguard until they entered the Ithamai’s castle and revealed his true name. The queen’s face was blank, her eyes empty. Shackles wrapped around her ankles, placed there moments ago specifically so the fae of Grindavik would see them. The prince had been vigilant when it came to containing his mother.
He would never forgive his mother for what she’d done to him. How she’d made him impotent and would have stolen away his birthright. How she’d faltered and forsaken family and duty all because of guilt.
“What do you think of the smell, Mother?” he asked even as he gave her the command of how to respond.
She locked eyes with the nearest sailor, who appeared stunned that a queen was even breathing the same air as him. “Disgusting.”
The sailor’s face fell, but he didn’t deny it. Just nodded and bowed his head. Weak, like so many that Rhistel came across were.
Beside Rhistel’s mother, the Shadow King’s lips twitched upward ever so slightly.
“Stop,” the King of Winter muttered loud enough for Rhistel to hear.
No matter his growing annoyance, the prince did as the king commanded. If only because Lady Ithamai was approaching, and they needed the might behind her house.
Mother,Rhistel commanded.Look repentant.
“Lady Vaeri,” the king said as they met with the Warden of the East.
“Welcome to Grindavik, Your Grace. Your Highness.” She curtsied to the king and her prince, but Rhistel did not miss when the high lady’s eyes narrowed upon the queen. Lady Ithamai still did not know that Queen Inga was a whisperer, but thanks to Vale’s proclamation of their parentage, she had heard of the queen’s infidelity with Lord Riis. When Lady Ithamai asked, the king had confirmed the betrayal, though not addressed it publicly.Soon that would have to happen, but not until Rhistel’s plan was completed.
“You did not have to meet us at the docks at this early hour.” The sun was only just rising at their backs.
“It was the least I could do, Your Grace,” Lady Ithamai said. “After all, you allowed me to return home to see that my daughters were safe. My sleigh awaits us.”
“Many thanks,” King Magnus replied.
Not bothering to listen to the chatter that began as they walked to the sleigh, Rhistel wondered if the brothel that he’d visited last time was still open. Should their visit here go on longer than expected, he might patron the establishment again. See if that nymph was still around.
