His jaw tightens, and he huffs out a breath. “Your Majesty.” His voice cracks on the last word. He drops to one knee before me, his head bowing. “I had hoped and prayed to Kakara herself that this day would come. Welcome back, my King.”
My throat tightens.
“Please, Belen, you should stand,” I manage to say.
I may have been a king once, but I certainly don’t feel like one right now.
He rises slowly until we’re face to face. His lashes are wet, and his eyes shimmer.
“I can hardly believe it,” he whispers. “You’re back.”
“Yes, and I would never have left. I had no choice in the matter,” I tell him. “You have to know that. A spell was cast. Itmade me forget who I really am. Made me forget everything.” I tell him briefly of the spell Snow cast.
“I believe you, Sire.” He nods, his jaw tight. “I ran into the Icefae King a year ago. King Damon told me what happened to him. How he’d been living as a human, believing himself to be someone else entirely. She cast a spell that was ancient and powerful.”
My heart leaps, and my eyes flare. “Damon? He’s alive?”
“Alive, well, and no longer lost.” A small smile crosses Belen’s face. “There are three Lost Kings who have returned, for certain. In addition to Damon, there’s Xander of the bloodfae and Orion of the beastfae. Rumors of a fourth, though I haven’t confirmed it yet.” His eyes shine. “You make five, Your Grace. I’m sure they will be pleased at your return.”
I’m not so sure of that, but I keep it to myself.
Five out of seven.
“Where are they?” I ask.
Belen shakes his head. “I don’t know. And I’m glad that I don’t. If I knew where they were, Snow would know too.” He gestures to the shadows surrounding us. “This is why I’ve shrouded us. She can look through the eyes of any fae, Your Grace. Any fae except the kings themselves. Even now, she might be trying to see through mine. My shroud should keep her out for a short while, at least.”
Ice runs through my veins. “She’s watching?”
“Always.” His expression is grim. “I can’t keep this shroud up for long, or she’ll know I’m trying to keep something from her. That could be…detrimental. I need to stay in my position if I am to help all of you in the long term. It’s a pity I never rose to Ruler General. That would have been first prize.”
“So Tarro no longer holds it? I heard you refer to a female earlier.”
“That is correct. Tarro has retired,” he tells me. “A female joined the army soon after Snow took over and quickly rose through the ranks. Aside from coming from a strong House, she befriended the queen herself and is not to be trusted.”
I sigh. “It’s a pity. You should have had that position twice over for what you have done for our people.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. It was not to be. I have to watch my step. My back, too. The queen can never know that I am on your side.”
Snow doesn’t tolerate defiance. Anyone who opposes her pays the price. Belen would be put to death.
“There isn’t much time, but before I go, there’s more you need to know,” Belen continues, speaking quickly now. “There’s a bounty on all the kings’ heads. She wants you found. She wants you all dead. Snow regrets keeping you alive. Hiding you as she did happened in a moment of weakness. Once you were lost to the magic spell, you were lost to her, too. I don’t think she expected that to happen. Not when it comes to a control freak like Snow.”
“Keeping me alive is a risk. Why not have her guards kill me right away?”
“Because she wants to be certain that it is you first. I think she wants to use you to draw out the others. She’s traveling here as we speak and is less than three days’ ride away. Although if she rides hard and fast, it could be as little as two. I would bank on two, to be sure.” He pauses. “Once she gets here, the once-lost kings will be in grave danger. You most of all.”
I nod. “I need to find a way to escape before then,” I say, making it sound easy when it is anything but. I look down at my hands, feeling the magic flow inside me. It is a strange feeling. One I am no longer used to. “I could use my magic. I am powerful.” I squeeze my hand into a fist.
“Forgive me, but you are also out of practice, Sire,” Belen tells me. “Magic is a strange thing. You need to use it…to wield it regularly, or it becomes wild and untethered. You could get great bursts of it or nothing at all. This whole castle could end up destroyed, along with everyone in it. I wouldn’t.” He shakes his head.
I nod, sighing. I know he’s right, but still. I’ve had years of tuition. I was excellent at my craft.
Was.
“The castle is crawling with guards. The whole court is talking about what happened. About how a sorcerer claiming to be a Lost King is being held in the dungeon. Even if you did escape, you would be in grave danger. There are those who want you dead, many more who want that bounty. You need to keep that in mind. Have no fear, I’ll find a way to get you out,” Belen says. “It might come in an unexpected form, but be ready. And once you’re free, youcannotuse your magic. She may not be able to see through your eyes, but she can track you through the use of your power.”
I nod. “Understood.”
