“On your…”
“I’m from Earth, another planet. Damien, Morpheus and Cassius were captured and brought there by a coven of witches. Damien and I were able to return using similar magic, but Morpheus and Cassius chose to stay.”
Her brows knit. “Chose to stay? That can’t be right.”
“Your son is extremely powerful where I come from. He’s built an empire. He couldn’t leave it.”
I can see she’s happy he’s alive and utterly confused why he wouldn’t come home. The truth is, I never offered to bring him here, but his participation in a triune means his leaving would be almost impossible. I’ve embellished the truth in an effort to give her some closure.
She seems to let that sink in and then nods slowly. “Are you able to send a message for me?”
Her voice is pitifully soft. She’s heartbroken. God damn it. “I’m sorry. I can’t. The path we took to return only worked one way.” Without my magic, that’s the only answer I can give.
Tempest takes a deep, fortifying breath and then draws her shoulders down from her ears as she straightens to her full height. “In any case, you were extremely helpful today. I’m so happy to make your acquaintance. Will you and Damien join us in Aendor for dinner sometime soon?”
“I’ll relay the invitation to Damien the moment I see him.”
She shifts uncomfortably. “Is he available? Might I speak with him?”
“He’s working in the stables. You might catch him if you go down that way.”
“The stables,” she hisses as if she finds the idea offensive.
I can’t say I didn’t have a similar reaction. “That is the position the king offered his brother,” I say flatly.
She bows at the waist. “A true pleasure to meet you, Eloise. If you’ll excuse me, I must be going, but I hope you and your mate will take us up on that offer of dinner.”
We say our goodbyes, and then she’s gone.
8
The Return of the Prince
DAMIEN
It’s been years since I rode a rabble beast, but it comes back to me like I never left the saddle. I always respected these animals, and I am elated to find Borus, the steed I once called mine, still alive and well in the stables. I rode him into battle against the army of dark elves on many occasions. Rabble beasts can live to be over a thousand years old but often die violently long before that. It’s a miracle he’s still with me. When I was taken, he was left on the battlefield along with my broadsword. I’d assumed he’d been killed in the fray. What a joy to see he’s survived.
I rub the white star on his forehead and scratch behind his ears. “You remember me.” He nuzzles my shoulder affectionately and scratches the earth with his front claws.
Everything has changed. At least I have this old friend.
Efficiently, I saddle the beast then mount him, riding him out onto the practice ring. At my command, he charges the fence as if he’ll burst right through it, then stops on a dime at the gentlest tug of a rein. Borus has still got it. His backward footwork is on point, and he pivots on one heel as smoothly as when he was a young beast.
“Why practice for war when we are a kingdom at peace?” a woman calls to me, her voice dripping with sarcasm. I haven’t heard that voice in centuries, but it’s not one I’d soon forget. Tempest Maxilla, the Lady of Aendor, smiles at me from the railing. I ride to her and dismount, commanding Borus to stay before drawing her into a warm embrace.
“Aunt Tempest! Now I know that I am truly home.” Although Tempest Maxilla is not a direct relation, she was my mother’s best friend, and there was never a day of my life I didn’t call her aunt. I break away, overwhelmed with joy to see her again. Thank the gods the wasting disease hasn’t claimed her too.
But she doesn’t share in my joy. When I draw back, her expression is grave.
“What happened to my son, Damien?” I check myself. Of course she’d want to know about Morpheus. Here I am, ready to pick up where we left off, and she’s still mourning the loss of her beloved family.
“He is well, Auntie. My apologies. I should have sent word immediately. Morpheus is a powerful leader now on the planet where I was taken. He’s formed a magical bond with a witch and shifter and therefore cannot return here. Cassius, too, is in a powerful and important position as the commander of an army. Both remain, happily, on Earth.”
She inhales deeply and then blows out the breath. “Your mate, Eloise, told me the exact same thing, but I confess, I had to hear it directly from you to believe it. I will relay the news of Cassius to Deatrys.”
I glance up toward the castle. “She’s not here today? I thought you were planning for the Harvest Festival.” As a wealthy landowner and major benefactor of the festival, Cassius’s mother was always included in the planning in the past.
Her expression turns dark. “She still resides in the Borderlands. She and Cryllus maintain a comfortable home but are no longer in positions of influence. Also, Odette and Marlus Jopwyn hold the royal positions of Lady and Lord now. Their predecessors…fell during the war.”
