by Sam Argent
“What is that?”
“You want me. Our powers wouldn’t have reacted that way if there was nothing between us.” Turren pulled his shirt out of his pants and stretched it out to its full length.
“I don’t see why you’re doing that. Not too many people could tell the state of your excitement right now.”
Turren cleared his throat. “That’s not exactly why I need to cover my front.”
Sebastian’s eyes narrowed under his hood. The bulge had lessened since they had separated. “You didn’t.”
“I told you I was close,” Turren said sheepishly. “I might have been able to control myself if you hadn’t been so into it.”
“That was the magic’s doing!”
“Only if we were performing a love spell.” Turren sighed. “But we weren’t, and you were so enthusiastic. I wish I didn’t have to wash my underwear. I could store them in the royal museum to commemorate the occasion.”
“Whatever moment we had, you’re ruining it.” Sebastian placed his mirror in his pocket. “You’re going to live with only the memory, and so help me if you don’t wash them, pervert, I will curse you.”
“If we do other things, I definitely want to keep a memento,” Turren said.
“You don’t need—” Sebastian stopped talking as he heard furniture move above the room. “Dammit!” It would ruin his plans if he was caught with Turren, and that embarrassing spell would be for nothing. Grabbing Turren’s shoulders, he shoved him as hard as he could. Turren went over the boxes with a yelp just as the hatch above them was pried away. Sebastian searched the objects around him for anything magical and spied a crystal bottle sitting on a shelf. Ignoring his usual care, Sebastian opened the stopper and smelled its contents. It had to be an animal conjuring. He didn’t remember the fool king, Alchone, having too many dangerous pets in the history texts, so Sebastian dropped the bottle. Pink-and-orange puffs of smoke sprang into the air, and Sebastian stepped back.
“What are you doing?” Turren whispered without lifting his head up from his hiding place.
“Shut up!” Sebastian whispered back.
“Sebastian!” Lord Orwell called from the hatch.
“I’m down here. I accidentally knocked over a potion when I heard the noise over me.”
“What are you doing down there, and how did you get inside?” Captain Pembrost asked from beside Lord Orwell.
“I came looking for old books. I’m sure there are a few forgotten down here.”
“That’s actually a good idea,” Frederick muttered from the hatch. “Captain Pembrost and I are going to get you out.”
“What do you mean you and Pembrost?” Lord Orwell asked. “Your horrible security is the reason why he’s down there. Losing your prince, and then losing my son. Your incompetence leaves me speechless.”
“I wish,” Sebastian and Captain Pembrost said at the same time.
“I’m going down there!” Lord Orwell shouted.
“And risk the possibility of harm coming to you, Lord Orwell?” Frederick asked. “We might incompetently leave you down there after rescuing your son.”
“I don’t deserve threats from a court wizard living off his cousin’s hospitality,” Lord Orwell growled.
“I don’t care,” Frederick said. “If you try to go down, I will leave you frozen on this ceiling. It is your choice while your son is down there with unknown free magic.”
“I would appreciate the help soon,” Sebastian called up. The puffs were coalescing into a figure larger than Sebastian had expected.
The captain dropped out of the ceiling and landed gracefully on his feet. “I’ll have a word with you after this is settled, Sir Orwell,” he promised. “Frederick, get down here. I think he released a drake.”
“That is just fucking splendid,” Frederick said before dropping down too. “Where’s its container?”
Sebastian pointed to the bottle lying on the floor. Pembrost picked it up, and Frederick raised his arms in the air. The wizard chanted in a snakelike tongue that hurt Sebastian’s ears. He checked them for blood twice, but they appeared fine.
“Sebastian, go to Captain Pembrost and hold on to him. He’s going to need your support,” Frederick said.
Sebastian obeyed, and he and the captain stood against the force of power returning to the bottle as Frederick commanded it inside. When the smoky plumes were gone, Frederick ran to them and stopped the bottle with his thumb. Searching the floor, Sebastian saw the top and snatched it up before Frederick lost control.
After the bottle was properly stoppered again, Frederick called up to Lord Orwell. “He’s safe!”
“He better well damn be. Now, may I come down?”
“There are still magical remnants, and I don’t want you to be exposed,” Pembrost said. “And you should stop worrying about our prince. The kitchens contacted my amulet while Frederick put away the creature, and they told me Turren was by the kitchens the whole time. It was a misunderstanding because he was digging around in the pantry,” he said as he walked around the boxes. Pembrost glared at his prince and none too gently kicked Turren’s shin. Turren winced but stayed quiet.
“Fine! I’m returning to the library, but there better not be a scratch on him!” Lord Orwell’s face moved away from the hole, and Frederick pointed at the opening. The hatch closed again, and Sebastian and Turren were trapped with the two angry men.
Turren scrambled to his feet. “We only wanted to speak in private.”
“While assassins are after you?” Pembrost asked. “While I hate to admit anything Lord Orwell says is true, we do look incompetent when you disappear. We thought there might have been another attempt!”
“What are you trying to hide?” Frederick asked Sebastian. “I know you, boy, and you are far too clever to accidentally knock over that container.”
“You two did surprise me,” Sebastian said.
“I second his opinion,” Pembrost said. “You two are hiding something or you wouldn’t be up here. And Gods, Alchone’s rooms?” Pembrost shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I have to tell your father where I found you.”
“Sebastian’s idea was sound, but I take full blame for distracting him from his task,” Turren said.
“Why couldn’t you just tell me instead of sneaking up here?” Frederick asked.
“Why should we bring up hurtful topics if we’re not sure we’ll find anything?” Turren pointed out.
“I have no doubt that your father’s and Frederick’s feelings would have been spared, my prince,” Captain Pembrost said. “But that still leaves me.”
“You report to the king,” Sebastian spoke up. “We might as well have summoned King Harris if we were going to tell you.”
“You two truly have an answer for everything,” Captain Pembrost said. “It amazes me what days in each other’s company can accomplish.”
“I’m surprised myself,” Sebastian said, not rising to the bait. He would vent his temper at Turren in private.
“Since you’re already here, go through the boxes over here, and the captain and I will search on the other side. You two will not open anything unless we inspect it, understood?” Frederick asked.
Sebastian and Turren nodded, and everyone went about their tasks.
CHAPTER 18
SEBASTIAN STRETCHED as he walked down the halls to the royal library. Frederick had made them shove around heavy boxes from one corner to another. It was obvious that the manual labor was their punishment, but they did resurrect a few batches of books, cementing Sebastian’s story. Frederick had looked annoyed at the find, and Captain Pembrost muttered about Sebastian being the slipperiest bastard he knew.
“So you’re the one responsible for all these books,” Lord Piadas said by way of greeting Sebastian when he walked inside the library.
“I’m just doing my duty.”
“This work ethic seems to be lacking when you’re at home,” Lord Orwell said as he swept his finger across the text in front of him.
“Yo
u’d be amazed at how being asked nicely affects my moods,” Sebastian said.
“It must be nice to have the fickleness of youth.”
“That’s funny, I haven’t seen your fickleness die with age.”
“I take it back. You’re becoming as mouthy as Diana.”
“Sebastian,” Lord Piadas said as he placed a large pile of books next to him. “You go through these and also skim for anything relating to Light’s Teardrop. That was its old name because of its shape, and these books look older than the ones I brought with me.”
“I understand,” Sebastian said, allowing the ambassador to change the subject since he had drugged the man, after all.
Sebastian squinted at line after line, but he found no mention of the stone before they took a lunch break. His wine and food didn’t taste all that flavorful, but Sebastian suspected it had to do with the fact that he was still aroused. Off and on during the day, he remembered the magic racing through his body. It would have been easier to handle if he had been able to find release. That horny prince did without any problems, but the spell had finished while Sebastian was still unsatisfied. I wonder how serious Turren was about not cleaning his britches, Sebastian thought, chuckling despite how foolish the prince was.
“You have a very pleasant laugh, Sebastian,” Lord Piadas said. “I’m sad I don’t hear it often since I cannot see you smile.”
“You’re not missing much,” Sebastian said.
“This is interesting but not related to our search,” Frederick said as he held up three books. “I’m finding more than a few books about the Silver Forest. I had no idea Alchone was interested in it.”
Lord Orwell snorted. “That fool had plans on taking it back, and those books wouldn’t have helped him.”
“It amazes me how your family has the best luck holding the land,” Lord Piadas said. “Usually anyone who holds it is cursed with deaths or affected by the forest itself.”
“That’s because my family gives it what it wants. Magical lands are easy to maintain if you just listen to them,” Lord Orwell said. He looked at Sebastian. “What, no snide remarks?”
“My silence was reward for you saying something intelligent. I’m a firm believer in positive reinforcement.”
“You’re not as cute as you think you are, Sebastian.”
“But the kingdom is thankful for you looking after it so well,” Lord Piadas said. “There has been a remarkable decrease in deaths except for that tragic duel.” He shook his head. “Killing themselves on each other’s blades, such a waste.”
“The forest does strange things to people,” Lord Orwell said as Sebastian concentrated on his food. “I think I’ll take a longer break and take my son with me. He wouldn’t be wandering around forbidden parts of the castle if he wasn’t growing bored. Excuse us, my lord,” he said with rare politeness.
Sebastian stood with him and left his half-eaten plate behind without a word. His father led him to an inner garden that had a fountain in the middle. With a wave of his father’s arm, wards to block listeners surrounded the room, and Sebastian was beckoned to sit next to him on a stone bench.
“Eventually people will forget about those two idiots,” Lord Orwell said.
“I didn’t need you to help me. I was perfectly fine during the conversation.”
“I honestly don’t know why people think you’re as good a liar as me, because you’re horrible at it.” Lord Orwell laughed. “But it’s not a bad thing.”
“I’m fine,” Sebastian insisted.
Lord Orwell leaned forward and pressed his hand inside of Sebastian’s hood. His fingers brushed Sebastian’s cheek and came away wet. “Their deaths were not your fault. You cannot control everyone’s reactions to you.”
A sob escaped Sebastian, and his father cradled him closer. “How long am I supposed to live like this?”
“I don’t know, but we’ll protect you as long as we can.”
SEBASTIAN SIGHED as he entered his luxurious room. I can’t believe I cried on Father’s shoulder. His head hurt from stress, and there wasn’t anything in the damn books. A small burst of magic tingled from the inside of his cloak. He sighed again even though everything was going according to his plan. The connection opened up as soon as Sebastian’s magic answered the call. Turren appeared lounging on his bed. “What do you want?”
“You sound strange,” Turren said.
“My voice always sounds like this.”
“No, you sound hoarse like there’s something wrong.”
“I sound tired from looking at books all day,” Sebastian said.
Turren smiled. “I never thought I would hear you complain about books.”
“There’s a difference between skimming for key words and reading for enjoyment. The former is tedious.”
“I’m sorry that my crisis is tainting your love, but I am grateful that you’re working so hard to solve this mystery,” Turren said.
“I do serve the king when ordered.”
“I prefer to pretend that your sole motivation is my well-being.”
Sebastian shook his head. “You would think that.”
“You sound a little better now.”
There was no smugness in his voice, so Sebastian allowed the comment to pass. “How is the royal heir spending his days?”
“With advisors and going through every conversation I ever had in Anerith.”
“Conversations with Trenton Keyes?”
Turren straightened on the bed. “You’re not supposed to know that name.”
“I know a lot of things I’m not supposed to,” Sebastian said. “You still haven’t answered the question.”
Shaking his head, Turren blew out his breath. “I can’t tell you that.”
Sebastian grinned under his hood. “Are you sure?”
“I don’t care how sexy your voice sounded just now, I will not tell you.”
“But Turren, my dear prince, you expect me to trust you but refuse to give me the same respect. How contradictory of you. And I went through the trouble of enchanting our mirrors so we could be honest with each other.”
“It is not a matter of trust, and this is sensitive information. I can’t discuss him even if I wanted to.”
“What about an exchange of a truth for a truth?” Sebastian asked.
Turren frowned at the mirror. “Are you offering to reveal yo—”
“No,” Sebastian interrupted him. “I’m not offering to show you my face. I won’t lie about that.”
“You’re not denying that you can be untruthful?”
“A time or two, but lying for our conversation right now won’t do me any good,” Sebastian said.
“What other truth could be worth that intelligence?”
“Do you want me to go first? I’ll drop it if you don’t believe it’s satisfactory,” Sebastian offered.
Sapphire eyes narrowed at Sebastian, and Turren shook his head. “I am a prince, but my confidence pales next to yours. I accept your terms.”
“When you came into our forest, one attacker was still alive. If I let you die, he offered to kill me quickly. I refused, and he let me know that disemboweling me would bring him pleasure. I still chose to defend you,” Sebastian said. “Luckily, the forest disposed of his remains so there were never any questions. Is my truth worth information about one man?”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Turren whispered. “Why do you hide so much?”
“I’m giving you this truth now. Was the possible loss of my life worth your truth?”
Turren sat silent for several moments, and Sebastian began to think the prince wouldn’t speak, but then he said, “Trenton was still in Anerith when I arrived. He was on trial for his crimes, and you joke about my silver tongue, but his trial counselors made me look like an infant.”
“So he was put on trial,” Sebastian said.
“In private where they thought people would feel easier about stepping forward. I sat as a witness so no one could say the proceed
ings hadn’t been fair.”
“I still say an arrow in his throat could have saved everyone a lot of trouble.”
“Normally, I would chastise your bloodthirstiness, but I agree with you.”
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “The honorable prince has such dark thoughts?”
“You didn’t see him, Sebastian. Trenton is not a normal man, and he walked through those doors without the slightest remorse in his countenance. Two of those scheduled to testify against him turned up dead even though they were in protective custody.”
“When did you speak with him?”
“After the trial. He walked out of the throne room just as confidently and made to pass me by. He stopped as if I was an afterthought and asked me what I thought about the events. Wasn’t it a shame that they were putting a foreigner through such a farce just to make the sitting king look good?”
“And you said?”
“I told him cowardice is hard to judge when I would have chosen death over serving a tyrant.”
Sebastian smiled. “How wonderfully snide of you. I’m almost proud.”
“My father wasn’t when he learned what I said. If he’s not after me for magical reasons, then this might all be malicious intent.”
Sebastian shook his head. “The way Trenton escaped justice speaks of a mind that’s too careful to go after a prince out of spite. His actions speak of a need to get rid of you. Is there an aspect of your powers that negate the Heart of Light’s magic?”
Turren shrugged. “I have no idea, and that doesn’t explain why he isn’t after my mother too. Our magic is similar to each other’s.”
“You never read about anything close to the Heart of Light back in Anerith?”
“Nothing.” Turren sighed. “That was my only conversation with Trenton, and he never mentioned the stone. You still haven’t told me how you know his name.”
Sebastian had already provided Turren with one truth, so he didn’t really owe the prince anything. “I came into a bit of information that he is the person behind your trouble. That is all I know.”
“Did you learn this from your father?”
“All you need to know is that I will try to find out more,” Sebastian answered. “You should also be cautious. You are Queen Anne’s son, but Trenton is too powerful to take lightly.”