Marthen had pulled an apple from the bag he carried and held it out to him.
Nothing had ever tasted better than that apple. And Marthen had never really disclosed why he’d ventured there that night, nor why he’d returned after their first meeting.
Though Dash had often wondered if he’d been sent there by Dash’s mother to check up on him.
Whatever the reason, the old wizard had returned night after night to teach Dash how to use and develop his magick. Schooled him on philosophy, war strategy and politics.
To this day, he was grateful to Marthen for teaching him during the wee hours of the night while others slept. It’d been the only thing that had kept him sane.
As weird as it sounded, that had been the most “normal” part of his captivity. The only time when he’d been treated as anything other than a caged, mindless animal. Honestly, Marthen had been more of a father to him than the unicorn who’d thoughtlessly sired him.
To this day, Dash had no idea why his mother had him delivered to his father within hours of his birth. Other than his mother had wanted a tie to the Licordian throne.
A fact his father had reminded him of constantly.Not even your own mother wanted anything to do with you, you worthless by-blow. I should never have allowed you to live. You’re a blight on my blood and heritage.
It was also something Renata’s mother had held against him every hour of his life until her death.Don’t touch me! You’re no son of mine! You’re disgusting! I wish you’d died at birth!
How sad that when his father had first told him he was going to Meara’s court as a hostage, he’d been delighted by the prospect. Stupid and young, Dash had thought his life there would be infinitely better than his treatment at his father’s palace.
The gods had a sick sense of humor.
As bad as his childhood in Licordia had been, it’d paled in comparison to the cruelty he’d learned under Meara’s merciless hooves.
Looking back on it now, Dash suspected the reason Marthen had trained him had something to do with another riddle the old wizard had once posed to him and with another fact he’d learned from Meara.
Those who seek me for their own pleasure are far more likely to inflict pain in my name. Who am I?
Ironically, it’d been the one thing Dash had been born into and never wanted or sought.
Power.
While he was known for his cruelty, he didn’t revel in it the way Meara did.
And right now, he would gladly surrender his mantel of authority if he could find another who would rule justly.
After a few minutes, the wisp returned. “He’ll speak with you, Majesty. Please follow me.”
Dash conjured himself a woolen cloak as he realized just how cold the temperature was here.
He followed the glowing wisp through the trees until they came to a whispering creek that flowed backwards toward the snow-capped mountains.
Marthen wasn’t alone. There was a woman walking with him. One in a gown of paleyellow, shimmering samite. Her white hair didn’t come from old age. She was young and exceptionally beautiful, with light blue skin that glimmered in the low light. It’d been a while since he’d last seen a nereid. They normally kept to the seas in Dash’s kingdom.
He’d forgotten that in Alarium, they also lived in smaller bodies of water.
“Rivana... meet Dash.”
He bowed before her. “Pleasure, my lady.”
“And you, Your Majesty.” She turned toward Marthen. “I’ll speak with you again soon.” With a kind smile, she stepped over to the water and quickly swam away.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt you.”
Marthen shrugged. “It’s fine. We speak often, she and I. Usually when I’m sleeping.”
“Should I ask?”
“Probably not.”
