14
Willow
Ireally hated being summoned by my father. Nothing good ever came of it, and right now, I really had a lot of better things to do. I had no choice to answer, though. The rules, always the rules. I was sick of the rules, but there was no escaping them. They were part of the very fabric of our realm, woven into the fabric of its very being.
I held myself as still as possible, refusing to budge an inch in front of the man sat across from me.
He steepled his fingers, looking at me as if he wanted to peer inside my skull to see what I was thinking. He knew I was plotting something, but he didn’t have a clue what it was. “You know why I called you here, of course.”
I smirked. “Because two of your best guardsmen gave their notice, as did half a dozen or more of their men?” I asked, feigning innocence.
“And you’ve spent a large sum of your funds within a rather short period.”
“I didn’t see the point of not paying for things once I’ve bought them,” I replied. “That tends to be rather frowned upon, which would reflect badly upon our house.”
He curled his lip, the blue eyes that matched mine turning even colder. “That wasn’t what I meant, and you know it. The bank notified me of the withdrawals and Puzzle informed me that you purchased the two floors below yours. Am I to assume from this and the timing of my guards’ withdrawal from my employment, that you are establishing your own stronghold?”
“I am.”
He leaned back in his chair. “It’s about time. Your majority is fast approaching.” He waved a hand at me. “I’m not opposed. Rather the opposite, in fact. Establishing yourself thus before you come of age shows you have gravitas. Other fae will take note and treat you in a manner suiting your reputation. A reputation I understand that you are cementing by already binding a human servant that you grabbed from their mundane realm.”
“I have, yes. I’d have brought him today, but alas, he is not yet fully broken in, nor has he had time to learn the rules that apply to him.”
“A wise move to not risk him, then.”
Yes, it was. No way in hell was I going to bring someone still so ignorant of this world and their place within it. Father summoned me, but it was to our family residence at the palace, not our family estate.
“This changes nothing.”
And there it was. I met his eyes, refusing to flinch. “I expected as much.”
He sighed. “If you survive a full week that which is coming after your coming of age celebration, I’ll reaffirm you as my heir.”
That did surprise me. I had long believed that he would be one of those sending an assassin after me. I needed to re-evaluate my kill list.
“I can tell by your expression that you thought I wanted you dead.” He breaks his gaze away from mine, swallowing. “I was angry over the betrayal of my own guards and the perfidy of your mother knowingly trying to pass you off as my own. You, though, you have always been my son. It’s why I told your blood father to approach the best of our men to go to you.”
I couldn’t have been more astounded than if he suddenly removed a glamor to reveal he was actually an enchanted, talking house cat from the human realm. He’d always been so standoffish with me. Still, I appreciated the gift, especially as it was freely given, which meant I was not under obligation for it.
“Thank you, Father.”
He turned his head to face me once more, giving me a short nod of acknowledgment. “I hope you have a plan other than hiring a bunch of guards,” he said.
“I do.”
“Don’t tell me.”
“I won’t.” It was best that I didn’t. That way, if he was compelled, they could see he wasn’t privy to my plans. At least one of the two I was going after was bound to try to pry. I intended to leave no cracks for them to peer through. My guards and my delicious assassin were pieces for me to move on the board. The strategy was all mine, and I was keeping it to myself. It would frustrate my enemies to end, as the rules stated they could not compel me to get the information. Once a Hunt was declared, they had to make use of clues I left via my actions and questions asked of others. Prey had to be run to ground using wit and skill. I would be their prey, hence why they would try to use the assassins to take me out personally. They would be mine, and while I had an assassin, it was not enough to kill them. First, they had to pay with their reputations. I wasn’t just after staying alive and ruining them for how they repaid the foolishness of my boyhood. I was after the Crown.
I cleared my throat. “I have a meeting I’m supposed to make, to get the renovation completed.”
“But of course. I’ll add more funds to your account, releasing them from your trust so that it’s all yours should you need it to be.”
It was very generous. I racked my brain, looking at it from all angles to see what he had to gain. I came up with nothing beyond helping me one of the few ways he could to help ensure my continued existence, so he had the heir he needed. The funds were mine anyway, so again, accepting them did not obligate me to repay a gift.
“That will make things easier,” I admitted, accepting his offer. “It will be a week before the next dust shipment goes out.”
He stood. “I’ll see you out.” He strode to the door, opening it. “Horn,” he addressed one of the two men guarding his door, “see my son to the stables and tell the stable master to saddle up Archie for him.”
“Yes, my lord,” Horn replied, offering a salute.
“Archie is yours to keep,” Father said.
Now that would have to be repaid. I fished in my pocket and offered him a silver coin. He accepted it, plucking it from my fingers. Good, for once, I was leaving my father’s presence paid in full.
“You’re learning,” he said softly.
“I had some harsh lessons,” I replied. “I’ll see you at Court soon.” I hurried to catch up with my escort. Just because my enemies couldn’t have me killed yet didn’t mean that something unpleasant occurring at their hands was forbidden. I didn’t have time for such shenanigans today.
