“You’re staying right the fuck here,” I hissed. “You don’t need to prove a thing. You’re already a hero.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“But I’m not trying to prove something. And a hero’s work is never done.”
“Then do it indoors where there’s beer and a cozy fire.”
The cute motherfucker flashed a smirk. “What if I ask you nicely?”
Bloody hell. He was getting more like his father. Sometimes I joked that Nicu and Poet were joined at the hip like a pair of mischief-makers, their silver-tongued quips bouncing off each other in rapid succession.
If fate knew what was best for our world, this brilliant human would indeed surpass Poet in the future. But only if the lad paved his own way. At eighteen, Nicu had become an adult and wanted a greater role in this fellowship. After all he’d been through from the age of four, he earned that.
Whatever the ignorant laws of this continent claimed, Nicu’s life belonged to him. Nobody had the right to deny him that. Least of all, me.
Besides, although Nicu had never ventured farther than the lower town on his own, he possessed the jester’s cleverness and the princess’s tenacity. And while he wouldn’t skewer an insect, let alone a two-hundred pound bandit, he demonstrated a strong will.
If I rejected his offer to join my expedition, Nicu would trail me in secret. Moreover, we didn’t have time to debate this over a cold pint.
I grunted in resignation, my restraint thawing like putty as Nicu beamed. So much of this decision was wrong. But his joyous smile? That was worth a thousand executions.
Disappearing for a nighttime excursion was one thing; spontaneously expanding that quest was another matter. Since the Nicu, Poet, and Briar rarely made any decisions without consulting each other, I sensed his desire to rush inside, reassure them of his wellbeing, and explain in person about this change of plans. Naturally, while leaving me out of the equation.
Except time wouldn’t allow that. Nicu grasped this as well.
Whipping his head about, the industrious young man grabbed a stray and twig from the ground. After scribblingsomething on that piece of foliage, he whistled to the sky. Despite the alarm horn, his lilting tenor reached one of the hawks, who shot toward us and snared the leaf poised between Nicu’s fingers.
The avian launched back into the firmament while my friend summarized the contents. It included an apology for causing the alarm, a heartfelt litany about his expedition to be a hero, a plea to look after Tumble, and a declaration of familial love, plus an extra note about having company.
Panic ensued. “What did you tell them?”
“I didn’t give names,” Nicu replied. “I only said a friend needed my help. Was that wrong?”
Courageous Nicu. No one would be surprised by his willingness to stand by the people he cherished. Likewise, if anyone touched him, I’d skin them alive.
I pointed at him. “You’re lucky I love you.”
Nicu bounced forward and dropped a kiss on my scowling cheek. “Love you too.”
At the next blast of the horn, we launched to our feet and ran.
14
Aire
Urgency quickened my pace as I stalked toward the west wing, my boots slamming across the courtyard pavement. The tower horn wailed, its coded melody established since the days of old, signaling that a member of the Royal family had gone missing. This outcry summoned all troops to service, rousing my brethren from their dormitories.
Servants, merchants, and nobles emerged from thresholds and leaned out windowsills. Shouts rang into the night. “What news?”
I carved a path to the castle, not bothering to respond. One thought alone stoked my rage.
Nicu.
He had vanished two hours ago. Despite a fleet of guards standing post outside his suite, none had witnessed him leave. Notwithstanding, I had sensed an altercation prior to that while keeping vigil on south grounds, a zephyr sweeping against my knuckles, its erratic direction heralding an unforeseen twist. Most importantly, it carried whiffs of Nicu’s scent.
I had arrived at his door moments after Poet and Briar, who sat with their son every night before the family retired. The instant I confirmed my suspicions to them, the search commenced. We had split up, tearing through every location Nicu frequented, at which point the horn blew.
