Kalder didn’t miss the underlying strain in Varice’s voice, nor the fact that he glossed over his fate. Those two things put him on notice and on edge.
So be it. They’d never been friends, or even friendly, and he hadn’t expected mercy anyway.
Kalder didn’t move as Varice snapped his fingers for their servants.
Four of them ran into the room in a nervous manner that said Varice ruled with the same iron fist and volatile temperament as their father. Especially when they hit their knees in a groveling act of submission that turned Kalder’s stomach.
Varice, however, thought nothing of it. “Take Prince Muerig to his chambers and see to his needs. Make sure he’s given clothing appropriate to his station.”
They hastened to obey him.
As soon as they were gone, Varice turned his attention to the watchmen. “Have our sacerdos prepare the portal for the humans. I’m sure they’ve no wish to be here a moment longer than is necessary.”
“And Kalder?” Only a fool would miss the challenge in Devyl’s voice.
Varice swept a suspicious grimace over the captain as if finally seeing him for the first time. “Do I know you?”
Kalder answered for him with the title he knew the captain wouldn’t use, but that his brother would recognize, and shit hisbreeches over. “Dón-Dueli of the Dumnonii. Once known as the king of Tintagel. You know, brother dearest. The Dark World-King.”
That took the last bit of color from Varice’s skin. He swallowed audibly. Aye, that was a name he knew well. They all did. Devyl had been their father’s ally and the only land-walker their people had ever feared. Back in the day, he hadn’t just been the king of Tintagel, he’d been dubbed the World-King and the Dark One. Not because of dark looks, but rather for his brutal, bloodthirsty reputation that had made even the bravest warrior wet himself at the mere mention of Devyl’s name. Entire armies had thrown down their weapons at the sight of his warhorse on the horizon.
Aye, he’d been just that bad-ass, alone.
“What concern is Kalderan to you?”
“He’s a most valued member of me crew. Any harm done him and I’ll be taking it personally.” Devyl pinned a pointed stare on Perrin. “And seeking vengeance for it.”
Varice gave him a forced smile that didn’t reach his eyes. It was cold and sterile. “Have no fear, my lord. As noted, he’s a member of our royal family, and shall be treated as such.”
When had that ever made any difference?
Kalder barely restrained himself from rolling his eyes. “Does this mean me inheritance will be reinstated?” He couldn’t resist digging at a wound when he knew it would rub against everything his brothers held dearest.
Their mutual greed.
Ah, the beauty of being a younger sibling. There were some things that one couldn’t resist. And being a barnacle bitch was definitely one of them.
Forget Tally and his Barnak demon status, right now, Kalder could give even his old mentor a good run for his money, and do the old blighter proud.
Before Varice could answer, a sudden loud scream rang out from the hallway.
The watchman ran for the door to check on who was being murdered—a likely assumption given the volume and hysterics of it. Kalder stood back while the crew rushed outside, along with Cameron.
Recognizing that shrill, ear-splintering voice, he knew there was no need to rush out and see about the cause of it. Mostly because he wasn’t in the mood to heave and lose his lunch. He’d seen enough sickening things for one night.
Perrin’s face, for one thing.
He was in no mood to be nauseated further. And sure enough, he was right.
Outside in the elegant, gilded hallway that was lit with bioluminescent plankton buried deep within the walls, stood their mother, latched onto Muerig while she rained kisses all over his face. She wept and shouted in turn with ecstatic welcome. Muerig returned her happiness with his own hugs and kisses.
Aye, it was all Kalder could do not to unload his stomach all over the lot of them. Disgusting public display, really.
“My precious baby! I can’t believe I have you back!” His mother held his head to her bosom as if she were attempting to breastfeed him again. Gah! How could his brother stand it?
Cameron frowned as she saw the reunion and it dawned on herwho the elegant older woman had to be. Not that it wasn’t plainly evident by her regal bearing and dark hair and pale eyes. Coloring very similar to someone else she knew well…
Confused, she glanced back to Kalder, who made no move whatsoever to approach the queen or get her attention in any way.
