Xaydin gaspedas he found himself in…
Tenmaru?
It was the only place he knew that held such peaceful gardens. Luminescent butterflies shimmered in the daylight as they danced over a variety of flowers. The sun held a peculiarcast to it as it highlighted Masakage sitting in the middle of the garden with his legs tucked beneath him.
“Meditating? Really?”
Masakage opened one eye to look up at him. “About time you realized I wasn’t with you.” Ironically, there was no judgment or emotion whatsoever in that tone. He merely spoke fact.
“What happened to you?”
“Your irritating little ferryman. While you were under the sea, I was ambushed.”
Bloody figured. He should have checked for that. Should have realized he couldn’t trust anyone. “Where are you?”
“Being held by King Mardyth in his palace, under the sea. He wants to make sure you bring home his son as he doesn’t trust you to abide by your word.”
Xaydin walked a small circle around him. “And who’s this new asshole I’m having to deal with who pretends to be you?”
He smirked at Xaydin’s choice of words. “A spy hired by the king. You should be familiar with such.”
Xaydin ground his teeth in frustration. “Are you in any danger?”
“No. King Mardyth is treating me like a guest. He just doesn’t trust you to take care of his son without added?—”
“Stress?”
“Incentive is the word the king used. Since I’m underwater, he knows I can’t leave without their assistance.”
Of course not. “And he sent a fucking shape shifter to babysit me?”
“I tried to warn him how you’d react if you discovered his ruse. Sadly, he thought me a liar.”
“Let the fish know that I’m not happy about this.”
“Already accomplished.”
He could just imagine. Though he was quite certain Masakage had been much more polite in conveying Xaydin’s displeasure. His brother was terribly irritating that way.
“Can you reach me, if you need me?”
Masakage gave him that infamous droll stare. “I don’t think that’s nearly as much a problem as you reaching me.”
Valid point. “I will get you out of this.”
“I have all faith in you.” Could he have sounded more sarcastic?
Not that it mattered. Mardyth had no idea what forces he was playing with and Xaydin didn’t care for games like this. It was one of the reasons why he didn’t seek his father’s throne. He didn’t want to play nice with those he couldn’t stand. Be cordial to enemies. It was bad enough he had to stomach the mongrel masquerading as his brother.
How anyone such as Dash could do this full time…
He shivered more than when he’d drunk his sister’s concoction.
“I’ll be back for you, Kage.”
“I know. Just be careful. I don’t trust the king’s man he sent to watch you. And neither should you.”
“You know I don’t.”
