He began dreaming of slipping between that lovely fae’s legs when a shout from a nearby crowd drew his attention. Two males, a faerie and a dryad fought with their fists. A crowd gathered nearby and took bets. Rhistel snorted at the debauchery taking place when most had barely broken their fast, but his amusement faded as one fae drew his attention. A petite red-haired female lingered off to the side, watching the fight. She must have felt him staring, for the female looked over and caught the prince’s eye. She grinned and there was something so wild and untamable in the smile that Rhistel’s cock twitched.
Maybe not a whore tonight.The prince waved over the closest legitimate Clawsguard.
“My prince?” the knight asked.
“See that fae over there? By the fight with the copper curls?”
“I do.”
“Learn who she is. And where I can find her, if I need to. Then meet us at the castle.”
The knight nodded and went to do as his prince commanded.
“Clawsguards are not meant to make it easier to wet your cock,” King Magnus grumbled lowly.
“They seem to do that for you.” Like his father was one to talk with his ever-growing harem.
The king did not respond, and all the better. They had reached the sleigh.
One Clawsguard and the false one took up standing positions on the back of the sleigh. The others were commanded to walk to the castle. Once the nobles were situated on the dark purple velvet, the king began speaking of his plans for the armed forces the Warden of the East had left in Avaldenn. Rhistel half listened. When they still had said nothing of note by the time the sleigh arrived at the castle, Rhistel put on a charming smile and leaned closer to the Warden of the East.
“You have cleared an appropriate cell for her, no?” he asked.
“Right after I got your raven,” she replied. “It did not take long, mind you. Our cells have all the regular enchantments upon them. We added a few for her magic, though it’s the ice spider silk in the walls that makes the real difference.”
“So I’ve been told. A good thing too. She’s as powerful as ever.”
“The shackles are keeping her docile?” Lady Ithamai mused.
“The shame too. She thought she’d never be caught.” Rhistel had to agree. When you could lie like he and his mother could, the world was ripe for the picking. Orhispicking, at least.
“Let’s show her to her room first,” Rhistel said. “Just in case.”
The High Lady of the East needed no convincing. “This way.”
Their party followed Lady Ithamai through her castle sparsely adorned with splashes of purple and stone lions, and down, down, down, down into the deepest, most impenetrable dungeons. Ones no prisoner had ever escaped from.
“Will this do?” Lady Ithamai stopped before a small, dank hole in the wall far from the other occupied cells.
“It’s perfect,” the king replied, and the Clawsguard and the Shadow Fae shuffled the queen into her new home.
“She’s already quite secure but as you asked for the best, I will send the warder down to activate their protections. Now, shall we move on to business?”
“On to business.” The king gestured for the Warden of the East to lead and, as a pair, they left the dungeons. The true Clawsguard followed.
But the Shadow King and Rhistel stayed and stood before his queen’s cell.
“Burn this moment into your mind,” King Érebo murmured. “Even the strongest among us fall at times. Make sure she cannot get back up.”
“I intend to,” Rhistel replied, and lifted his hold ever so slightly.
She gasped and gripped the bars. The prince sensed a pulse of magic that was not his, but felt similar. The queen was trying to access her magic, but none struck him. None would either.
“Soon, we’ll send forth the rumors,” Rhistel whispered.
“What rumors?” the queen asked. Her tone was hazy, for she was still not herself. Nor would she be ever again if he had his way.
“Of where you are, Mother.” Rhistel sneered. “Why would we waste time searching for the vermin destroying our kingdom when we can get them to come to us?”
