I have to clear my throat. “Yes, my lord.” I hesitate, wondering if I can bring myself tothankhim.
He doesn’t wait for gratitude. While I stand there deliberating, he’s already through the door, lost to the windswept darkness.
CHAPTER 24
TYCHO
When we reach Ironrose Castle the following evening, I deliver my messages to Rhen, offer my greetings to Harper, and then disappear into the room I always use, claiming exhaustion from the ride.
It’s hardly even a lie. I close myself into the room, grateful for the chance to finally lose my armor, soak in a hot bath, and collapse into bed.
This isn’t supposed to be a long visit, and I’m glad. Despite what Jake said, I feel like I’m being watched. Like I’ve lost a bit of Grey’s trust.
In the morning, I train with the Royal Guard. They’re more skilled than the army soldiers in Syhl Shallow, and I always enjoy the challenge, especially since they admit me into their ranks without question. The Queen’s Guard in Syhl Shallow is more cloistered, and I’ve never been allowed to train with them, so it’s one of my favorite parts of coming here. Jake is with Harper, Rhen is doing whatever he should be doing with Grey’s missives, and I’m … adrift. At least I can lose myself in swordplay and forget about everything happening at home, especially since many of the guards are eager to hone their skills forthe Royal Challenge. They’re full of questions, too, which I didn’t expect.
Teach us how they fight on the other side of the mountain, they say to me.
Is it true that the king’s magic has been welded into their blades?
Are their weapons lighter? I’ve heard they’re lighter.
“Faster,” I say. “But not empowered by magic.”
This lasts for exactly one hour. Rhen appears at the side of their training arena. “Commander,” he calls to Zo, his senior officer, who’s overseeing the training exercises. “I need Tycho.”
“Yes, my lord,” she says with a nod, and she gestures for me to exit the arena.
Prince Rhen might be the only member of the royal family that I don’t currently have any friction with, so I sheathe my weapons and duck through the fence around the arena to face him.
Without preamble, he says, “Jacob has indicated you and my brother are engaged in a bit of discord. Explain.”
I make a mental note to beat the crap out of Jake again later. “There is nodiscord.”
“So Jacob is lying to me.”
Silver hell. “No—he’s not. It’s just—” I sigh tightly. “There’s no discord.”
“You’ve said that.” He turns. “Walk with me.”
I hesitate, but he’s not waiting, and I don’t want there to be discord with him, too, so I jog to catch up. When we approach the doors leading out into the courtyard, guards swing them open, and we step into the sunlight. Two guards trail us, but I’m no danger to Rhen, so they stand along the back wall of the castle.
I wish I knew what Jake had told him. I’m bracing myself, waiting for another lecture on duty and obligation.
But Rhen only says, “I do not like to linger in the arena.”
“You don’t want to distract the guards?”
“No. I shouldn’t be a distraction.” His voice takes on a dark note, and he frowns. “Too many … memories.”
He and Grey were once trapped here. I’ve only heard bits and pieces of what they endured, but it was enough to know they were tortured by the magesmith who held them captive with magic, and most of the time, Rhen took the damage to spare Grey. I don’t know whatspecificallyhappened in the arena, but I can imagine it was a lot, because Rhen seems to involuntarily shudder. He takes a long breath, glancing at the sky, then up at the castle. After a moment, he seems to shake off the emotion.
Maybe someone else would comment on it, but I don’t. I often have to do the same thing when I think of my childhood. Rhen endured something terrible. So did I.
For the first time, I feel a spark of kinship with him, and it takes me by surprise. I’m not sure what to do with it.
“If we’re speakingthosekinds of truths,” I offer slowly, “I do not like to linger in the courtyard.”
It’s where I was chained to the wall and flogged, once upon a time.
