August merely grinned as he led the way deeper into the castle. “You found your brother?”
“Aden? Yes. He’s been hiding out in a villa here in your impassable mountains. He’s been doing quite well, actually, despite the effects of this beast-like curse.” Erich did not mention the additional information his brother had given him. Aden had his human faculties despite the beastly body, but the curse would soon claim his body and mind.
Erich kept his exterior lighthearted as he bantered with his friend, but a bright rage continued to burn deep inside him. His brother had attempted to stay positive, especially in the presence of the young noblewoman who had befriended him.
But Erich could sense Aden’s deep sadness and it tore him apart. How was he supposed to make his brother feel better in the face of such a devastating fate? He had done his best to make his brother smile but again had felt so useless.
So, he funneled that feeling into anger. Anger at the cruel Majis sorcerer who had cursed his brother. Anger at the capricious Majis sorceress who doomed his men to a watery death.
“Have you heard any news of the sorceress I am tracking?” Erich asked, his mind returning to his main objective.
“She was seen in a small village a day’s ride south of here,” August replied.
Erich stopped walking and grabbed his friend’s shoulder. “Are you sure? I have not heard any solid news in some time. I should leave immediately.” Erich turned back toward the direction they had come.
“No need to rush off.” August stopped him. “Let me explain it further. She was seen nine days ago, so if she left any trail, it is already cold. Stay here tonight and rest. Again, you look like you could use it.” He smiled cheekily.
Erich’s expression relaxed. August’s attempt at humor during this stressful time was a welcome distraction. His body begged for a night of rest in the sprawling, sunlit castle of Allys rather than under bushes or in cramped tavern rooms.
He hadn’t been lying to General Gautho that he had some skill in tracking, but that didn’t mean he enjoyed it.
Left alone in a luxurious guest room, Erich immediately sat down to unlace his boots. While the worn leather felt like a second skin, his feet begged for freedom. The creamy sandstone walls and warm red furnishings lifted his mood instantly, but the steaming copper tub beside the bed did quite the opposite.
Approaching it, Erich stepped into the warm water with a single bared foot. While the sensation was relaxing, it also caused his heart to race. The water barely covered more than his ankle, but it felt oppressively heavy, as if it would crush him.
His lungs began to struggle for air, though he was merely standing in the tub and had not even fully removed his clothing.
Why did the water feel so suffocating?
A cold sweat broke out across Erich’s neck and shoulders and he felt his legs go weak.
If his legs truly gave out, he would collapse into the water itself.
He quickly jumped out of the tub.
This was ridiculous. He was having a nightmare and he wasn’t even sleeping.
Giving in to his shaking body, he sat back on the bed. This was not him. He was not like this. He was Erich Sirilian, the happy, confident prince who made every time a fun time.
How could he be the envy of everyone in the room if he couldn’t even take a bath to wash the stench of the road from his body?
Grabbing a towel, he dipped a corner of it in the hot tub. Wringing out the excess water, he buried his face in the warm, wet towel. He did not have to immerse himself in water to be clean.
As his body finally relaxed, his mind clung to his current mission. It was beyond frustrating to have spent so long searching for this dangerous woman only to continually come up empty-handed.
His only consolation was—at least as far as they were aware—she had not yet made an attack. Erich hoped his constant pressure of being right on her tail had forced her to check her power.
It was not much of a consolation, though. The Majis had to be stopped.
“Prince Erich?” A knock sounded at the door.
Erich lifted his head. “Yes?”
“A report just arrived from Iseldis. The sorceress has been found and secured. She is being held at the old monastery. General Gautho has requested your presence as soon as possible.”
Erich jumped from the bed. Getting rest would have to wait, but at least he was mostly clean.
Chapter 12
