Mathias studied him for a moment.
“Please have a seat,” he said, gesturing to a plush leather chair. After pouring two glasses of wine, Mathias offered one to Erich, and he took it with a muttered thanks.
“You wanted to speak to me about Liane?” Erich asked.
“I know you’re not really courting my sister.”Mathias rested his glass on the arm of the chair and met Erich’s gaze unflinching.
Direct like his sister, but was he bluffing? Erich also set down his glass. Two choices lay before him: use his allure to assure Prince Mathias of his ardent desire for his sister, or tell the truth, knowing soon Erich would leave her and Artria behind. Without knowing his intentions, he wasn’t ready to decide which route to take. It wasn’t too late for him to toss him to the guards for testing.
“What makes you say that?” Erich said, deciding to call his bluff.
“I know my sister, and she’s been too keen with you. Tonight, my mother proposed a marriage alliance between our kingdoms, and Liane agreed.”
Did he suspect Erich’s power, or was he too bluffing? Erich couldn’t be sure. But Empress Eveline moved quicker than he anticipated. No matter. He’d be gone soon…
“Maybe I’m different.”
“Are you?” Mathias arched a brow.
“Is this some attempt at scaring me away from your sister?”
“If you’re easily frightened, you’re not a good match. No.” He shook his head. “I don’t know what scheme she’s roped you into, and frankly, I don’t want to know.”
“Then what is it you want?”
“Before I ask, let me tell you a story.” Mathias swirled his glass as he stared into it. “We don’t like to talk about it. But yesterday wasn’t the first time Liane’s gotten lost in the forest. I was young when it happened, and I remember little apart from how scared my parents were and how she changed when she returned: burning up with a fever, saying the forest was calling her, that she had to go back and finish what they started... Crazy, right?”
“Fevered hallucinations,” Erich said, taking a sip of his wine.
But he knew that wasn’t it. Felt it in his bone and marrow. Erich tried not to appear too interested, but he thought of the dual-colored stag and its request to protect her, and tonight he’d run to her side without a second thought. Dangerous. Even if one of the ancients commanded it, she’d suffer with him at her side. He was poison.
Mathias studied him without speaking, and feeling the pressure of the growing silence, Erich spoke first.
“You’re rather forthcoming with family secrets.”
“Liane wandered into a corrupted place, and you took an arrow carved with runes for her. I think I can trust you with this secret.” He winked.
Uneasiness slithered up his spine. He didn’t want their trust or their secrets.
“What do you want?” Erich asked, growing agitated.
“Protect her, stay by her side, save her from the darkness closing in around her.”
He should say no; he must say no. He never could do as he asked, even if he weren’t here to steal their sword. But he saw the sincerity in Mathias’ eyes, the palpable fear, and he couldn’t help himself. He lied.
“I will.”
17
Humidity rushed in as Liane opened her window, coating her in a thick, sticky heat, and a thin sheen of moisture wet her brow. Three days before the Sun Ceremony, which marked the start of summer, and she was already sweating before sunrise. Any other time she would have escaped her apartment and sought relief outdoors beneath a shady tree, but her self-imposed exile prevented it. The night before, when the family had said goodbye to Mathias, she’d refused to participate. He couldn’t leave until she said goodbye. It was tradition.
A knock at the door disrupted her ruminations.It had to be Mathias. A part of her wished he’d change his mind and stay safely in the palace, but she’d known that was naïve. As a last resort, she’d ordered Luzie and the guards to turn away all visitors. She couldn’t keep him in the palace forever, but she just needed to delay him a few more days, just long enough to prove Heinrich’s guilt. The elves weren’t what they needed to worry about. The danger was much closer to home.
Mathias knocked harder.
“Liane, I know you’re awake,” he said.
She didn’t move and feared breathing would give her position away. If she didn’t acknowledge him, it didn’t count.
