Clearly they knew who I was, but why had they taken me? To get to Vasil? Was I the lure for some nefarious plot?
My lord would come for me, of that I was certain, and he’d surely bring reinforcements along with him. I began hollering then, as loud as I could manage, even with the metal in my mouth. My kidnapper lifted my hood just long enough to blow some sweet-smelling powder in my face. I coughed and sneezed and soon after, my limbs grew heavy, my thinking sluggish. The scoundrel must have drugged me.
“I apologize, Your Highness, but I can’t have you arousing suspicion. We’ll talk more when we arrive at our destination. I look forward to becoming better acquainted with Lord Vasil’s betrothed. Surely, you must be very near and dear to him.”
Headquarters? Acquainted? The only thing I wanted to acquaint this guy with was my sword. My sword! I didn’t feel its familiar weight against my hip. They must have disarmed me during my abduction, the bastards.
“Curse you and your mother,” I slurred into the metal bit. I could barely keep my eyes open. My last thought was of Vasiljust that morning, the smile he’d given me as we were leaving his dungeon, brighter and more hopeful than the dawn.
Chapter 21
Lord Vasil
The bars on my bedroom were not just bent, they’d been completely melted from the stone frame. The metal had cooled into a lump on the floor while the scent of burnt vanadium hung in the air. A rushed job. Sloppy too. My eyes darted quickly around the room, but Cedrych was nowhere to be found.
I’d failed him, again. They’d taken him from me. I would punish every last one of them, tear them limb from limb with my teeth, unleash my savage fury and make them pay for what they’d done. What if they’d harmed my precious boy?
“They must have fae minions helping them,” the queen remarked, her shrewd eyes canvassing all corners of the room. I reigned in visions of my wrath. I had to focus on the evidence that presented itself. We had to find Cedrych.
“Why don't you return with your retinue to my parlor, Your Majesty, while I sort this out?” My composure was slipping, and I didn’t want the queen to interfere with my investigation. Time was of the essence.
She gave me a scathing look and hissed, “Excuse me? Cedrych ismyson.”
“Do you really care about Cedrych or are you only concerned about your reputation should he be harmed?” I asked hotly.
She bristled at that, a brief look of sadness passing over her features, then said with renewed conviction, “Regardless of what you may believe about me and my actions, never doubt that I've always had my sons,’allof my sons,’ best interest at heart.”
Her words seemed heartfelt, and there was no time to argue further. “Fine, then know this. There is only one other person who could’ve altered that metal, and he’s dead. It’s simply not possible.”
The queen gave a dainty harrumph. “All I know for certain is some maniac has infiltrated your fortress and kidnapped my son. Is there anyone who may have a clue as to where he’s been taken?”
I’d sent the guards on a manhunt of my fortress, just in case this was a distraction, but in my heart, I knew that they had him. Whatever menace that had been plaguing me since my youth had now taken the person I valued most. Sinclair’s warning came rushing back to me. Had he known? Was he behind this? It wasn’t fair, gods be damned, but I’d take up my grievances with the divine goddess later. Right now, we had to focus on finding my beloved prince.
“Galen,” I said suddenly. “The archer.”
“The assassin who tried to kill you both?” the queen said dubiously.
“Cedrych has made friends with him. He may talk to us, if he knows the prince is in danger.”
The queen made her skepticism known but grabbed the train of her dress and gestured for me to lead the way.
A few minutes later, the two of us were storming into my subterranean dungeon, flanked on either side by Anika and Erlander, both of them shaken by what had happened on their watch, intent on helping me locate the prince.
Galen was sitting cross-legged on the carpet of his cell, rolling a pair of dice Cedrych must have given him. I noticed a few primer books on the table too. Had Cedrych also been teaching the lad to read? Goddess, what a tender heart my betrothed carried inside his broad chest. If that villain harmed even a hair on his golden head…
“Galen,” I barked and the lad sprung to his feet, glancing in a panic between me and the queen.
“M’lord, Your Majesty,” he said and bowed quickly to us both.
There was no time to waste with ceremony or long explanations. I needed information, and I needed it now, so I launched right into it. “We’ve not spoken, Galen, and you’ve been reluctant to share your secrets, but the prince has been kidnapped and we need your help in finding him.”
“Kidnapped, m’lord? They kidnapped Prince Cedrych?” he said, eyes wide with horror.
“They did, only moments ago from my bedchamber. The metal bars on my windows had been melted. The prince was not willing. Do you know who’s behind this?”
The lad glanced between the queen and I, seemed to hesitate for only a moment before he gathered himself up and, thank the goddess, nodded soundly. “I’m sure I do, m’lord. I can draw you a map to their compound.”
“There’s no time for that,” the queen snapped. “Guards, unlock the door. Young man, you’re coming with us.” She turned to me and said shortly. “He can guide us there. We’ll take my palanquin.”
