The man sneers at me, revealing he cares not for being questioned. “The curfew has already come to pass, return to your homes,” the speaker commands.
“And where are the Antalian soldiers?” Carnaxa speaks up from behind me. “Niv and Fekev have always guarded this bridge to the castle on the night shift.”
I take a step back, surprised that she would remember soldiers’ names. But then again, no, I’m not.
“They are in the dungeons with all the others. The Antalian King is no longer in charge here, King Atlas of Shaston is.” His eyes glance up at the banners that sway in the breeze — my kingdom’s banners. “Where are you from?”
“I have come to see King Clennom. Move out of my way,” Carnaxa speaks with a regal tone. The soldier in front of her foolishly grabs for his weapon and her arm concurrently. Just as he tries to latch on, she swiftly pulls herself out of his grip.
I push Carnaxa back with my forearm, gliding her body behind mine. These are my men and they will never take orders from a woman.
“Touch her again, and it’ll be your last mistake.” My hands grab for the swords at my back, and I send up a thankful, silent prayer, glad they made the trip.
“Oh, look at this ... another pussy-whipped man of Antalis, protecting their ... let me guess, twin drop? It’s always the same pathetic story.” The soldier speaks to the other one standing behind him, not concerned about anything else going on.
Sizing them up, I cock my head and study their every move. They are young, not one of my personally trained, which means they are new to thePrel. I presume they were secured by my father while I was here in Antalis. As the soldier walks towards me, his hand firmly clasping the hilt of his sword, I catch his eye and wink.
He’s consumed by fury, too emotional ... too young to be doing whatever it is that my father has them doing. I meet his blade with both of mine as it slices down at me. Pushing against him, he stumbles. He lets out a roar of rage as he tries again, but this time.I lock his blade within mine and pull it from his grasp, throwing it to the street beneath us.
“Interesting way to greet your prince,” I remark, a hint of amusement in my voice. “It’s interesting that you would raise your sword in challenge, especially since I am here on official Shaston business.”
He nervously shifts his gaze back and forth between me and his companion. “You don’t wear a crown.” I roll my eyes, feeling a mix of annoyance and frustration. Fuck. My father and that crown.
Rhenor breaks the silence, his voice strong and unwavering. “It’s true.” My name isBêlRhenor and this is my wife,BêlitSiphonie. And this is Prince Ereon of Shaston and Princess Carnaxa of Antalis. We have traveled with them so that she may see her sick father before his departure toMohasha.”
“How do we know it’s true?”
And ... I am tired of this.My hands shoot up and a wave of icy energy blasts from them, instantly immobilizing the guards in a frozen vice. Rhenor expresses his disapproval with a grunt, and I swiftly turn to face him, ensuring that I still have a firm hold on the guards. “Something to add?“
“I tried,” Rhenor says, shaking his head in frustration.
The icy tendrils wrap around their throat, suffocating them until they faint. I casually toss them aside. “I didn’t kill them ... be happy for that, Rhenor. Now, my queen ... let’s get you home.”
fifty-three
Anara
My skin still radiates with the heat that took us from the north, bringing us here, to Shaston. I knew without even having to ask Thylas, we were in agreement on our destination.
He stumbles beside me seconds later, but instead of arriving with grace, he falls to the floor. Embers swirl around us from the fireplace we landed in, along with a cloud of ash. His fire is still blazing around his body and I cast a protective barrier framing us so he doesn’t burn the castle down. He looks around, realizing that thekukheare no longer attacking and hisflames falter.
“Where are we?” he asks, standing up and dusting off the back of his pants.
“Ereon’s room,” I say, walking towards the basin of water. “It’s the only place here that would be empty.”
“I thought you said you didn’t remember how to travel?” he asks quickly, scratching at his shadow of a beard. I don’t answer him and instead splash my face with water. The weeks away have been long, and I know I should have used the time I had to escape to go back to Minasa. But I didn’t want Thylas to travel alone, not if he intends to speak with the King.
Atlas is a monster, the worst kind, but I have grown to care for Thylas. It’s not love, but an understanding between us. He is just as lost as I am, wanting things we cannot have; praying for miracles we will never receive. The chosen path is not meant for us; we are not the lucky ones. Our purpose is to guarantee their happy ending.
Suddenly, I am grabbed by my wrist and it’s twisted at an unnatural angle as Thylas turns me to face him, my arm pinned behind my back. The tip of his dagger touches my neck. I steady my breathing and fight the urge to ignite the flames within me.
“You knew ...” His words are rough as they come out, but leave me confused.
“Knew what?” I gulp, the tip of the dagger cutting slightly into my skin.
“You knew who my father was ... who I am.” His teeth clench as the words slip between his lips.
“I thought it might be true. I wasn’t sure.”
