by R. C. Reigh
Fasian had actually been quite impressed by my performance and hoped I might be willing to have my fighters train some of his men, but I wasn't sure he would ever really trust me. I was going to have to keep up serious damage control if I wanted to have Heinez as an ally instead of an enemy.
As I turned back toward the fireplace, some of the other students were walking toward me, hands extended and faces jubilant. I feigned excitement through their congratulations and shoulder patting. One by one, they disappeared down the stairs to their own quarters.
What should have been a victory had instead been an epic failure. It seemed like the human boy was still keeping her at arm's length, but it was only a matter of time before Amelia would work him over.
Perhaps it was time that I go to our parents, but he idea unsettled me. I really didn't want to have them start arguing with each other, or worse, decide to break the treaty.
I needed to do something. The longer this went on, the more hell-bent she would be to take it to the next level with that loser to free herself for good. The way those perfect lips had emphasized the word ‘anything’ disturbed my mind every waking moment.
If she went through with it, did it really matter? Yes. Yes, it did.
While I was destined to love her forever and was capable of forgiving her eventually, my people would not, and they'd want blood. There was no doubt they would consider it an egregious offense. I don't think she really understood that. I had to do whatever it took to stop her.
I knew she didn't truly love him. She couldn't, that's not how fating worked. The problem was that she hadn't realized yet that it was even possible she could love me. While fating meant that we were destined, it didn't mean that it couldn't be complicated. Once she finally let it into her mind, our bond would be unbreakable. How was I supposed to get her to that point?I turned toward the stairwell.
I had to act.
Ellis and Ivan rose to follow me, but I waved them away as I made for the steps.
I needed to get rid of the distraction. I needed to get rid of Adam. The idea of ripping him to shreds with my bare hands was gratifying, but it would only drive her further away from me and possibly start a war. No, I needed to find some other way to get him away from the Bastion, and for that, I would have to search out some magic to help me.
I could count the Fae prince from Heinez out. After what happened with his emissary in the coliseum, I wouldn't be asking him for favors anytime soon. Amelia was too friendly with the other powerful Fae Princess, Celeste. I couldn't take the risk that they would tell her. She could never know I had been behind it. She would never give us a chance if she did.
No, I needed someone who didn't have her allegiance. Someone who would love to cause some trouble.
I needed a witch, and there was only one that I could go to. The Necromancer’s daughter.
I could only wonder what it would cost me.
It was late in the evening as I quietly stalked through the lower tunnels. I hesitated at the door before finally raising my hand to knock, but before I could, it opened. As soon as I saw her I knew this girl was serious, one hundred percent the real deal. Intense power, provocation, and forceful magic radiated from her like a siren in the flesh. Legit.
Kessara
There was a wolf at my door. I opened it, head high and hand on hip. His demeanor was calm, but the air of desperation dwelled behind his eyes.
Very good.
"Prince Daneatous. I've been expecting you," I said sweetly, flashing him a sultry smile. That ‘oughta make him sweat.
I tossed my long black hair over my shoulder and stepped aside to let him pass into my turret. I had already laid out the table and stoked a few brewing cauldrons in the fireplace. I wasn't sure what it was that he wanted exactly, but I had known he was coming.
"So, your majesty," I began, motioning about the room, "what brings you to my humble abode?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"You already know why I'm here, don't you?" he grumbled.
"Well, for the sake of continuity, how about we hear it from you?" I asked, trying to come across as sincere.
"I have a proposition for you." He licked his lips and swallowed. "I need our conversation to remain private."
"Obviously." I offered him a chalice of water.
He took it and set it upon the table.
"The utmost discretion," he reiterated.
Elbows on the table, I rested my chin in my folded hands.
He cleared his throat.
"I need your help in removing a human male from the Bastion," he grunted.
I smiled sweetly. Now we were getting somewhere. The reason for the desperation behind those soulful honey eyes was now all too clear.
"Ah, the things we do for our hearts’ desires," I cooed. "Someone getting in the way of your attempts to woo your betrothed?"
He frowned, a flush of red. I'd hit the nail on the head.
"Well, why not a love potion then?" I waved to the cauldrons bubbling away.
"No. This has to be natural," his voice rumbled around the room, and he cleared his throat again. "I just need the distraction removed,” he added more quietly.
"What do you have in mind? Castration, dismemberment, death? Oh! Maybe an accidental-on-purpose run in with a troll?" I suggested. "I'm just spitballing here."
His expression was both impressed and a hint fearful.
"I was thinking more along the lines of getting him sent back to Avonlee. Permanently," he replied after a few wary moments.
"Oh, I see. An accidental-on-purpose exposure." I nodded. "Good choice. And, it would require very little magic, actually."
"So, you can make it happen?" A glimmer of hope danced across his handsome features before he steeled it away.
"Of course." I flashed him a confident smile.
"And this would remain a secret?" His dark brow raised.
"Absolutely. To put your mind at ease, I'll even draw it up in a contract." I pulled out my blackish-blue quill and waved to it. Seamlessly, it floated across the paper, outlining the terms of our agreement.
He licked his lips as he watched the quill apprehensively.
"What's the price?" He propped his elbows up on the table and interlocked his fingers together.
"Oh, nothing too involved, given the simplicity of this task. I would say one favor in return should be sufficient. When I should require it, it will be of my choosing and of equal complexity."
He frowned and rubbed the stubble on his chin.
"I'd rather it was more specific." His eyes traveled over me warily.
"Well, I haven't any deeds I need assistance with at the moment." I gave him a light shrug. "If you're not satisfied, you could try back in a few weeks or so. Perhaps I may have something then?"
I could see the urgency in the way his breath hitched and his larynx bobbed as he swallowed.
"No, I guess that will do. I would like for this to happen as soon as possible,” he admitted guiltily.
"Of course. Once we have hammered out the details, I will get started straight away," I assured him.
"Alright, then." He nodded, somewhat timidly for such a noble warrior prince.
How cute that he should actually happen to love the one to whom he was betrothed. Good for Princess Amelia. She was such an unassuming thing, but in looking at the love-struck prince before me, there was some depth to her wiles.
"Please look the contract over," I said, handing it to him.
He read it thoroughly and nodded.
"Well, then, let's get started."
We both signed our names. Now it was time for the magic.
"You will need to repeat after me and then drink the grog from this chalice to enact the magical seal." I handed him the chalice, and he nodded for me to continue.
"I, Prince Daneatous of Carpathia, agree to the terms set forth in this contract. I am hereby bound to owe Kessara one favor of equal merit once she has completed the task of bringing Amelia and I together by
expelling from the Bastion my rival, Count Adam of Avonlee."
"I, Prince Daneatous of Carpathia, agree to the terms set forth in this contract. I am hereby bound to owe Kessara one favor of equal merit once she has completed the task of bringing Amelia and I together and expelling from the Bastion my rival, Count Adam of Avonlee."
ERRGHH.
I fought to keep my magic from exploding. The prince had unwittingly changed the wording.
No matter.
While not ideal, I would be able to work around it since, unfortunately, I had made the mistake of already giving him the chalice from which he now drank, sealing the agreement as is. I simpered.
"Now, that wasn't so bad. Sit and have a drink. Let's hash out the details of our plan, shall we?" I sing-songed as I reigned in my composure.
Less than thirty minutes later, we had come to an arrangement. Task completed, he rose and strode toward the door. Before he could open it, I called out to him from my seat.
"Oh, prince, a word of advice."
He turned to look at me.
"After this takes place, it would be wise to give the princess some space." He looked confused, so I continued. "I have had the great pleasure of being able to spend a great deal of time with Lady Coranithe as of late."
His eyes narrowed at me. No doubt he was concerned I may betray him.
"It is my observation that the two of you may have a great deal in common. As the princess's closest confidant, Lady Coranithe may be the key to your success. If you were to gain her favor, friendship, and trust, she would undoubtedly sow bountiful seeds on your behalf." I shrugged. "Just a suggestion. Women's intuition, if you will."
He considered me for a moment.
"Thank you," he said, nodding gratefully. Then he stepped out, closing the door behind him.
Cheers to me. I nearly had a favor from the prince in my grasp.
All I had to do was finish a few simple tasks to meet my end of the bargain.
And, oh, how much fun that would be.
DANE
There was an eerie quiet as I stalked along the tunnels beneath the Bastion in almost complete darkness. Thus far, there hadn't been a single soul along the corridor, and for that, I considered myself lucky. It was well past curfew, and the lanterns along thoroughfare had been extinguished, but I didn't mind. I had every reason to keep my movements this evening a secret.
I had spent half an hour in the witch's company devising a plan and hashing out the details of what was to take place. She had been surprisingly thorough, which was both telling of her skill and all of its devious implications.
The plan would go as follows:
First and foremost, Kessara and I had agreed that our plan was to be put into motion as soon as possible. I had been exceedingly insistent that not a moment could be wasted.
Second, the Princess and Adam's involvement with one another would be exposed. Preferably, in an unflattering manner, which would require the king to be notified and Adam to be subsequently sent away from the Bastion.
Third, it was of extreme importance that I would be nowhere nearby when it all played out and, even more importantly, it could never be linked back to me in any way.
My final requirement had been that no one was to be hurt. Well, physically, anyway.
My foot falls against the stone floor slowed to a stop as I approached the intersection of the tunnel I currently traveled and the one that connected to the Carpathian towers.
Pressing my body up against the hewn stone wall, I waited and listened. Once I was certain there was no one in the next hallway, I peered around the corner. My wolfish night vision served me well in the darkness.
As an aside, Kessara had also suggested that once I was summoned and informed by the king of what had transpired, I was to act unimpressed by the princess's behavior, but graciously forgiving. Thus, leaving the king feeling indebted to my forgiveness of his daughter's indiscretion by not demanding we end the treaty.
Kessara was devious.
Part of me felt bad for the embarrassment the king would suffer, but he should have kept a closer eye on what was going on with his daughter. If he had been more vigilant, he would have caught on sooner and put an end to it.
With the guilt of what I had just set in motion weighing on my conscience, I shouldn't have felt so relieved, but I did. I really did.
With wolfish speed, I darted out from the second hallway toward my tower. When I reached the iron gate securing the entrance, I thrust my skeleton key into the lock and turned it.
There were only three keys to the Carpathian gates. I had one, my father had one, and there was one key that was exchanged by the guards at each watch rotation.
As I slowly and carefully eased the gate up, the iron scraped against the stone, resulting in a small creak. I cringed. Even the slightest of sounds might alert my father's sentries that were currently stationed at the tower's second-floor entrance a level above me. We wolves were extremely perceptive. There wasn't much that could get past us. I waited in silence to be sure that no one was coming before I eased the gate up a few more inches and ducked under it.
I had been surprised by Kessara. Some of her suggestions for Adam had been inspired. She really was a force to be reckoned with.
Her advice had been unexpected and surprisingly valuable. Building an alliance with Cora was ingenious. Why hadn't I thought of it before? From what I had heard, Lady Coranithe was endowed with the skill of a warrior, and from what I had seen, she didn't seem to be allied to the loser either. As Amelia's cousin and emissary, she would have an impactful influence. All I had to do was make her see that I wasn't so bad. It made perfect sense. The insightfulness of the suggestion made me wonder if the witch knew more of the future than she had led on.
After securing and locking the gate again, I quietly inched up the stone steps to my quarters, carefully placing each of my steps with the hopes of not waking any of the other sleeping wolves. Brethren or not, I didn't want to have to explain to anyone where I had been.
As I entered my bedchamber, I couldn't help the feeling of relief that spread over me. It was quickly followed by a feeling I had never felt in all of my life before, unnerving fear. Fear that I wouldn't be able to save Amelia from herself. Fear that my plan would fail. Fear that I had acted too late.
There was also a completely different kind of fear altogether that was surging through me, one that was less than selfless. It was the kind of fear that reminded me of my own failure at self-preservation this evening. It was an ominous fear that prickled up my spine and snaked itself through my core, a fear caused by one undeniable truth.
I may have very well just sold my soul to the devil's daughter.
Amelia
When the bell tolled, I leapt to my feet. I had made up my mind. I would ask Adam what he wanted and leave the decision up to him. I had a feeling about what he would say, but I wasn't about to make the choice for him. It had been days since the competition in the coliseum, and I had only seen him in an emissary capacity. Over the past first month at the Bastion, there hadn't been an opportune time to talk privately. Today I was going to change that.
I hurried toward the door where Adam stood, distracted by another student. Quietly, I slipped past them out into the hallway and waited.
"We need to talk. It is an order," I demanded when he finally rounded the doorway. I wasn't usually the type to use my authority to order people around, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
Adam glanced around the hallway nervously as if he was waiting for Dane to jump out of the shadows at any moment.
"Uh, okay,” he finally muttered out, avoiding my direct eye contact.
I tilted my head toward the hallway, and he nodded.
As we began the trip toward the Avonlee towers, his arms and hands were rigid at his sides.
Cora rounded another corridor as we passed. Her eyebrows shot up at the sight of Adam and me together. She quickly pivoted and joined us.
A hin
t of agitation boiled up inside of me that Cora should have to feel the need to abandon whatever she had been doing in order to guard us. Adam was my emissary. Walking down the hallway with him shouldn't feel like a crime. I hated that Dane had forced this kind of control over us with his intimidation.
"This is ridiculous," I huffed as I hooked Adam's arm in the crook of my elbow. "Cora, keep a lookout. That's an order."
I grabbed the door handle of the nearest supply closet and thrust it open, shoving Adam inside ahead of me.
"Are you crazy?” Cora whisper-shouted as I hurriedly shut the door in her face.
My pulse was racing as I turned to face Adam. There was a twinkle of amusement in his dusty colored eyes as he stared back at me.
"You're quite resourceful," he smirked for a moment before his face fell into a sort of casual indifference. It was the type of look one would usually force to avoid showing true emotion.
I assessed him for a moment before I spoke.
"Adam, we don't have much time. I need to know what you want from this, from us." I searched his face for any hint of what he might be feeling.
"What I want is never going to matter, princess." He kept a cool expression on his face, but his body shifted uncomfortably. "You're already spoken for," he shrugged.
It was an answer, but it wasn't enough. I needed more than that.
"Right, but when we spoke, before Prince Dane arrived, you had said that you wanted there to be an us," I coaxed as he leaned against the back wall, looking kind of bored.
Normally, he couldn't wait to touch me, to wrap me in his arms around my waist and hold me. There had always been a pull between us that made my heart sing sonnets, but right now it just felt like two broken people in a closet with the proverbial giant in the room.
"Princess, you are the epitome of everything I have ever wanted in a girl, in a partner. Of course, I want to be with you. It's just all so complicated." He offered me a hint of a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Flattery. He was saying what I wanted to hear, but something still felt off. An emotion was stirring inside of me that I couldn't quite place. Anger, excitement, maybe a little of both.