by Aron Lewes
“You want to go at it again?” Her nose twitched into a revealing sneer.
“It would be better than talking,” Edmore said. “Erase that sneer, for goodness sake. You should be happy. If I take the throne, you'll be a king's concubine. Doesn't that excite you?”
A second clap of deafening thunder rolled across the sky. As the noise receded, there was a frantic knock on Edmore's bedroom door.
A voice cried, “My lord! My lord, pardon the interruption, but I have an urgent letter!”
Edmore rose from bed, slapped a robe around his naked body, and stomped into his boots. A growl rattled in his throat when he answered the door. His unwelcome guest was a servant with a vaguely familiar face.“What is it?”
“Once again, pardon the interruption,” Edmore's visitor reiterated. “There's a huge storm heading this way, and—”
Edmore snorted. “I would say the storm is already here. Haven't you seen the lightning? Heard the thunder?”
“Yes, but this storm is accompanied by a massive cyclone, sir. And we believe it's heading this way.”
“A cyclone? Now?” Edmore's tongue made a disbelieving click. “There are never cyclones here.”
“I assure you, sir, it's coming. We need to get you to the storm cellar now. You'll be safer there.”
The servant had the audacity to put a hand on Edmore's sleeve. Edmore shook him off and slapped the younger man's cheek.
“How long have you been working here?” Edmore growled. “Don't you know you're not supposed to touch me?”
“My apologies, sir. I haven't been here long, it's true...” The servant stepped away from the doorway and motioned for Edmore to join him in the hall. “Will you allow me to escort you to the cellar?”
“Oh, I suppose. Should I take Marlene?” Edmore glanced at his lover, still warming his bed. “To be honest, I don't care if the storm takes her. She's one of my most expensive mistresses. For a whore, she has lavish tastes.”
Edmore abandoned Marlene and followed his servant outside, to a storm cellar door hidden behind a manicured hedgerow. It was pitch black in the cellar, so the servant lit a torch before descending into its depths. The flickering fire was tested by windblown rain until they were inside the cellar and the door was closed behind them.
“It's so dark down here!” Edmore complained. “I can barely see the stairs. What if I lose my footing?”
“I wouldn't worry about that,” the servant said. “You have a lot more to worry about than a little stumble.”
At the bottom of the stairs, four more torches roared to life, and four faces appeared in the darkness. One of them was Larien.
Edmore tried to retrace his steps, but the servant stood in front of him, blocking the exit.
“My name's Wilhelm,” the servant said. “And believe it or not... you killed me.”
“What?” Edmore laughed at the outrageous claim, but his laughter was empty, because Larien and the others had bows in their hands, and they were all aiming at him. “You've come to kill me, haven't you? The storm was just a stupid story to lure me down here?”
“No, the storm is very real,” Wilhelm assured him. “Kylin's responsible for it. She did a good job, didn't she?”
Kylin lowered her bow and raised a hand to identify herself.
“That's Vala,” Wilhelm said, pointing at the lady with the widest grin. “She really wants to kill you. She wanted to torture you too. Lucky for you, I talked her out of it. I didn't think it would be right to torture an old man. Besides, Kylin would never go for it, and I would rather stay on her good side.”
“Why do I need all these introductions?” Edmore asked. “If you're going to kill me, kill me. Skip the theatrics.”
Ignoring Edmore's request, Wilhelm said, “You might recognize Esha... but I would be surprised if you did. He obviously can't recognize you.”
“Ha ha. Very funny,” Esha grumbled. “I saved your life, you know. Teasing me doesn't seem like a great way to repay that debt.”
“Finally,” Wilhelm continued, “we come to a man who needs no introduction: your nephew, Larien.”
Larien had nothing to say. He raised his bow, nocked an arrow, and waited.
“He's still Silenced, I see.” Edmore faked a chuckle. “If find it funny that neither of us will take the throne. In our absence, who will be appointed by The Council, I wonder?”
“Me,” Larien replied, “Because you'll be dead.”
Larien didn't give his uncle a chance to react. He loosed his arrow first, and three others followed. At the same time, Wilhelm sank his sword into the old man's back.
“I guess that takes care of him,” Vala said. “Easiest assassination ever.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
“UGH! I'M SO SICK OF travelin'!” Vala groaned. “I need a bath, hot soup, a cold drink, and a twenty-four hour nap.”
Vala was reciting her wish list in Thebes' city center, where the assassins said farewell to Larien and Esha. Kylin had yet to comment on her destination, but everyone could guess her future plans.
She was leaving with Wilhelm and Vala. With them, she had found her place in the world.
Esha realized it days ago, even before Wilhelm's resurrection. Kylin couldn't be his Chosen—not when her heart belonged to someone else. As they lingered in Thebes' crowded marketplace, Esha took her hand, kissed her knuckles, and made the decision for her.
“Perhaps we'll meet again one day,” Esha said. He could think of no kinder way to hint at her departure.
“I'd really like that,” Kylin said.
“Wilhelm's a good man for you. I'm supposed to be your husband, so it's difficult for me to admit that, but... it's true.” Briefly, Esha's eyes landed on Wilhelm's, and both men acknowledged each other with silent nods. “Any man who would lay down his life for you is worthy of your heart.”
Kylin gently grasped Esha's fingers. “I'm sorry,” she said. “I hope you find happiness one day. I really do.”
“I'm happy enough,” Esha claimed. “Don't feel sorry for me. I never felt like anything was missing from my life. I don't mind being alone.”
Kylin shook her head. “I don't know if you're saying that to ease my mind, but... either way, I'm glad to have known you.”
In the bustling marketplace, even Prince Larien was jostled by passersby. No one expected to see the prince in plain clothes in the middle of the crowded square.
“Bugger this!” Vala cried. “Let's just go. I know you want to say tearful goodbyes and all, but there are too many people here. I swear to god, I might kill the next urchin who tries to pickpocket me.”
“Where's my tearful goodbye?” Larien asked.
Vala muttered, “It ain't here, that's for sure.”
Larien pouted at her reply. “Won't you miss me?” he asked.
“Quite a bit, yeah.”
“And you really won't return to the castle with me?”
“Nah.” Vala clapped a hand on her brother's arm. “My place is with Wilhelm... I think.”
Wilhelm and Larien both chuckled at her uncertainty.
“I'm the prince, you know. If I wanted to, I could order you to return to the castle with me,” Larien said.
“Aye. But then you'd be an arse.”
Vala brought her face closer to Larien's, as if she was going to kiss him—but it was only a tease. Her head snapped back, she stuck out her tongue, and exaggerated a wink.
LARIEN RETURNED TO his castle with Esha at his side. He was greeted by a throng of guards, shocked to see the missing prince. He explained his disappearance to his advisers and several key members of the Council, and by the end of his story, he was out of breath. Like Vala, all he wanted was a hot bath and a warm meal.
Before he retired for the evening, Larien told Esha, “When I'm king, I think I'll outlaw Silencings. Having experienced it firsthand, I now know it's a twisted and barbaric practice.”
“I couldn't agree more,” Esha said. “Get some rest, Your Highness. After everythin
g we've been through, I'm sure you're exhausted.”
“Beyond exhausted.” They were standing in front Larien's bedchamber, and when he yanked open the door, his jaw dropped.
Vala was in his bed, naked beneath his blankets.
“Hello there, Princey,” she greeted him with a wave. “You didn't really think I'd leave without a proper goodbye, did you?”
Larien had no words for her. He glanced back at Esha, who was as slack-jawed as he was. Cracking a smile, he asked, “You're not here to kill me, are you?”
“Of course not. I'm here to pleasure you.” Pointing at Esha, she said, “Now... get rid of your little friend and get in here. I doubt he wants to watch.”
KYLIN FELT A BIT AWKWARD as she collected her brother from Wilhelm's former mistress. Tarah had agreed to watch over Rai while Kylin was away, but their time together was full of drama. Tarah said Rai was a monster and a brat. In his defense, Rai said her sons were bullies and he hoped they had bad luck for the rest of their lives.
“Rai...” Kylin attached a heavy sigh to her brother's name. “You weren't ill-behaved while we were away, were you?”
“No!” Rai exclaimed. “They were bad! Not me!”
Kylin had no comeback, but her raised eyebrow said enough. She knew her brother could start trouble as well as any other.
“You could have left me on the ship!” Rai said. “I'm old enough to look after myself. If you keep treating me like a baby, I'll never grow up.”
“You'll never grow up if you keep acting like a baby,” Kylin countered.
She didn't want to go to Tarah's on her own, but Wilhelm said he was planning a surprise for her—and she saw it when she returned to the ship. On the deck, under the stars, Wilhelm had set a table for them. He had traded his ratty jacket for a pair of fancy trousers and a slick, black vest. Kylin's footsteps halted when she saw him.
He never looked more handsome.
“Boo!” Rai howled. “Is this some kind of romance thing?”
“I think... it might be?” Kylin didn't want to get her hopes up, but Wilhelm had a bundle of roses in his hands. She knew, from observing others, that an exchange of flowers was a romantic gesture between humans.
“I'm leaving before this gets gross,” Rai said. “But... I hope you enjoy yourself, I guess. I want you to be happy, sis.”
Kylin almost kissed Rai's cheek before he left, but she knew her brother would hate it, so she kept her lips to herself. I want you to be happy was one of the nicest things her little brother ever said to her.
Kylin could feel the silly smile twisting across her face as she approached Wilhelm's table. His arms opened, and they greeted with a hug.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered, holding out his bouquet.
“You look handsome.” When Kylin brought the roses to her nose, she giggled against their silky petals. Wilhelm always made her giddy.
Wilhelm pulled out Kylin's chair and served the first course: a soup prepared by Wilhelm.
“I can't cook,” Wilhelm warned her. “But I want you to know, I tried really hard. For you, I would try anything.”
Kylin sampled a spoonful and held the flavor on her tongue. For a moment, she kept him in suspense—then she gave him an approving nod. “It's actually good!” she cried.
“That's a relief,” Wilhelm said. “Let's see how you feel about the second course.”
When she finished her soup, he presented a plate of turkey and potatoes. The latter was mushy, but the meat was surprisingly tender.
“So... Esha said goodbye,” Kylin said. “No more Chosen.”
“Are you sure about that?” Wilhelm's eyebrow raised in debate. “I like to think I'm your Chosen.”
“Really? But... with Esha... it was practically confirmed!” she exclaimed. “He felt the Resonance too, so...”
“I don't care. Besides, who's to say that first flutter you felt was actually meaningless? What if it meant something? Do you really know it's impossible to have two Chosens?”
Wilhelm didn't wait for Kylin to reply, nor did he wait for her to finish her food. He popped out of his chair, hurried to her side of the table, and dropped down on one knee. When he pulled a ring from his pocket, she squeaked.
“When I died...” Wilhelm chortled at his speech. “That sounds like a funny thing to say, but... when I died, it made me realize something. It made me realize I wanted more out of life. It made me realize I wanted you.”
Kylin's eyes went wide as she studied the ring in his hand. “Wilhelm...” she whispered. “Are you...?”
“Proposing? Yes. I've changed my mind about marriage. If becoming your husband is the only way I'll have you, so be it. I want to marry you. I can think of worse ways to spend my life.”
Kylin's smile was momentarily erased from her face. “That... doesn't sound very romantic.”
“I know. I'm probably not romantic, but believe it or not, I am trying my best,” Wilhelm said. “Also... I love you. I might not bring toys to little children or feed orphans or whatever it is that Esha does, but... you have my heart. I hope that counts for something.”
“It means everything,” Kylin said, scooping the ring from Wilhelm's hand. As she slipped it on her finger, she leaned toward him, awaiting his kiss.
But Wilhelm hesitated, so she knocked him on the head.
“Aren't you going to kiss me?” she cried.
“Oh. Y-Yes! I'd love to!” Wilhelm stuttered. “I just didn't realize I was allowed.”
“You are allowed. You're allowed to kiss me, now and forever,” Kylin assured him.
Wilhelm still didn't move, so Kylin had to act.
She tackled him to the deck and covered him in kisses.
Author's Notes
THANKS FOR READING my book. I hope you enjoyed it! If you did, please consider leaving a review, as it would really help me out.
The next book in the series, Vixen's Challenge, will be available on May 6th, 2021. Keep reading for a short sample.
Please note, I also write steampunk and romance under the pen name Caylen McQueen. To hear about future releases from both pen names, sign up for my mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/c-PqSH
Thanks again!
Vixen's Challenge - Chapter One
“YOU'RE NOT EVEN A LITTLE bit excited to see Prince Larien again? It's been six months!” Kylin exclaimed.
Vala's answer started with an icy chuckle. “Sorry to disappoint you, but... no. Not really. Also, it's King Larien now.”
“But... the two of you were so close once, or so it seemed to me,” Kylin said. “He liked you so much, he's letting us get married in the castle. How many people can say that?”
When Vala glanced back at Wilhelm, Kylin's fiance and former Chosen, she saw him drop a coin into the palm of a pleading urchin. For as long as she could remember, her brother was always more liberal with his money. Vala would have sent the child away with a sneer and a “piss off.”
“You gettin' married in the castle has nothin' to do with me,” Vala claimed. “Larien's grateful to you for Unsilencing him. He couldn't care less about me.”
Kylin cried, “I'm sure that isn't true! He seemed so sad when you parted ways.”
“No. He didn't,” Vala objected. “He really didn't.”
As Kylin quizzed Vala on her relationship with the king, they made their way through Thebes' crowded city square, where hagglers and buskers cried out for their attention. They had no time to stop, because they were expected at Kenwick Castle. According to King Larien, its gates would always be open to them.
“I still can't believe we're getting married in an actual castle!” Kylin spun around and flashed a smile at Wilhelm, who was trailing a few paces behind them. “Can you believe it, Wilhelm? I never dreamed of such a thing.”
“It is pretty amazing,” Wilhelm agreed. “Amazing... and totally unnecessary. I would have been just as happy if we were married on the ship.”
“Me too. I would have been happy marrying you anywhere,�
� Kylin said. “But I still think it's impressive that Larien is providing such a grand venue.”
Vala grumbled, “If he really wanted to impress us, he should have sent us a damn carriage. Instead, he's making us walk through this pustule of a city. I'd take a trip to Satan's bowels over Thebes on a summer day. There are too many people, my neck is sticky, and I can barely breathe!” When she saw her brother toss a coin to a lute player, she smacked his arm and cried, “Stop giving away your money!”
“Why? I could give away everything in my pockets, and I still wouldn't be half as charitable as Kylin's real Chosen,” Wilhelm said. “I still can't believe he gives toys to orphans... saintly bastard.”
Kylin pouted at her fiance's words. Every time he referred to Esha as her “real” Chosen, she felt a dull ache in her heart. As their wedding day drew near, Wilhelm mentioned Esha more and more. He even called himself an impostor and a poser. Kylin had to constantly convince him she was marrying the right man.
They eventually reached the gates of Kenwick Castle, where they were greeted by rows of bowing guards. Then they were ushered into a lavish sitting room, and Kylin cooed about the paintings on the wall.
“Look, it's a portrait of Larien!” she exclaimed, flicking her thumb at one of the paintings. “I think they made his nose too long, but... Vala! Doesn't this make you miss him?”
“No.” Vala sank into a sofa and crossed her arms. “And the nose is an accurate depiction.”
They were greeted by Esha first, who was arm-in-arm with a lovely young woman with braided black hair.
“Hello again, everyone. It's been far too long,” Esha said, directing their attention to the woman at his side. “You remember Chika, don't you?”
“Your sister. Of course.” Kylin dipped into a bow. “Without her, tomorrow's wedding wouldn't be happening.”
“I'm happy to make it possible,” Chika said, though her tight-lipped smile suggested it wasn't entirely true. “How is Wilhelm? My brother told me he was an assassin, of all things. I hope he doesn't have more gaping wounds for me to mend? With such a dangerous job, I wouldn't be surprised.”