by Sarina Dorie
As Signor Galilei made notes on parchment and invited the prince to gaze through his telescope at the stars, Errol witnessed Prince Elric-Atherius glowing brighter. Muse magic radiated from him, filling the air with the flavor of silver, starlight, and inspiration. In response, the human’s energy swelled. Shimmering particles wafted from him and filled the air, the highest concentration gravitating toward the prince. The sparks of light reminded Errol of sentient snowflakes intent on settling on the muse rather than the ground. They fell on Prince Elric-Atherius’ skin and melted into him.
A few occasional particles drifted toward Errol. He often navigated away from the energy, not wanting any of the royalty to catch him imbibing their source of sustenance and growing vexed with him as a result. Yet with Prince Elric-Atherius, Errol suspected Steorra might have told him what Errol was. Errol was less concerned about being caught and more curious about his interaction with the Morty.
“This is fascinating. You are a true artist,” Prince Elric-Atherius said to the man in Italian. “But alas, it will be time for you to return home soon.”
“It is such a shame. I have not had such stimulating conversation in years.” Signor Galilei shook his head mournfully. “I have had no one to share my discoveries with who understands. How will I make progress at home when I am not free as I am here?”
“You must be very careful. Not all humans are so open-minded.” Prince Elric-Atherius patted his friend on the back.
It was unusual to see royalty touch their human artists. When the Morties attempted to touch Fae, it usually resulted in the Fae nobility sneering or shrinking back. Muses weren’t opposed to drinking in their artists’ energy to the point they became depleted, but they didn’t want to be touched by their food.
Except for Prince Elric-Atherius.
Even if the prince was shallow, vain, and oblivious, Errol respected the man for his lack of snobbery. He was much like Princess Steorra. It still pained Errol to think of how she had died for being the compassionate one in the royal family.
Prince Elric-Atherius scanned the perimeter of the room. “Is Captain Errol present?”
Errol unglamoured himself so that he was visible. He bowed. “I am here, Your Highness.”
“Would you be kind enough to see to it that my guest is taken home safely? I have an appointment with my wife and don’t want to be tardy.” Worry creased his forehead. “I think you know how she can be if she’s kept waiting. I don’t want to vex her or give her reason to interrupt.”
Errol inclined his head in agreement. It had been years since Prince Elric-Atherius had been at court, but Errol recalled Quenylda’s jealousy quite clearly. Anyone or anything that interfered with her husband giving her his undivided attention tended to end poorly if an artist, mistress, or child were involved.
Prince Elric-Atherius smiled, but there was uncertainty in his expression. “And you’ll inform me at an opportune time that my guest has made it home safely?”
“Of course, Your Highness.” It wasn’t as if he didn’t have enough to do.
Errol escorted the prince’s guest back to the Morty Realm himself. He wrote a note to Prince Elric-Atherius, informing him that Signor Galilei was safely home. It was no trouble for Errol to glamour himself invisible and slip the note into the prince’s hand while he drank wine with his wife and Fae guests. The prince was discreet in reading the note and nodded, which indicated he understood what Errol had said.
Errol had performed the task to the best of his ability, as he did with everything. What he didn’t realize was that it was only the beginning of Prince Elric-Atherius’ secret tasks, his reward for being too good at his job.
* * *
One day while Errol was guarding Prince Elric-Atherius in the parlor, he asked to speak with Errol privately. Errol cleared the room and soundproofed it. Already he dreaded what was coming.
“If it isn’t any trouble, I would like to request for you to escort a young man to the castle with his mother,” the prince said. “But you will have to be secret about it. Princess Quenylda and the rest of my family aren’t to know.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” He tried not to sound as annoyed as he felt to be given another duty.
Prince Elric-Atherius ticked off a list on his fingers. “I need them to have a private escort in and out of the castle, lookouts for the royal family, and an escape route planned in case anyone discovers my guests. Is that possible?”
Such an assignment would require more planning than the prince imagined, but it wasn’t impossible. “Indeed, Your Highness,” Errol said. “But it would be easier for you to meet them outside the castle, like in a public house.”
Prince Elric-Atherius shook his head. “You would think that, but I tried that tactic forty years ago—before you worked in the royal guard. It ended in disaster. My father has too many spies. It would be one thing if I went out all the time so I didn’t draw attention from an excursion, but I’m practically a slave when I’m here at court.”
When Errol thought of Ivy’s experience being a slave, he doubted the prince had anything to complain about.
“If you are caught with them, are you willing to . . . lie for me?” Prince Elric-Atherius mumbled the words.
“It would be easier to lie if I knew the truth.” Though Errol suspected he didn’t want to know about the prince and his affairs, and he was certain that was what this would turn out to be.
“The boy is my son, and the woman his . . . nurse. I don’t want my family to know.” His eyes were full of anguish. “But I miss them—him—terribly.”
Errol suspected the woman was Prince Elric-Atherius’ mistress, but he could understand the prince not wanting to confide this in him. Not after what Quenylda had done to his other mistresses and illegitimate children. Errol supposed it was normal for royalty to have affairs and cheat on their spouses. It wasn’t his place to disapprove of their lifestyles.
He’d been given an assignment. It was up to him to carry it out to the best of his ability.
Errol handpicked the most discreet staff he could count on. He ensured all servants were out of the way so that they couldn’t serve as spies for the rest of the family. The first time Errol snuck them in, he contrived for the “nurse” to be costumed as a maid.
The child was more difficult with his silver hair. Even hidden under a cap, it was obvious he had lineage from the Silver Court with the way his eyes shifted. It took a favor from Helga to glamour the child, as Errol was far more confident in her abilities than his own.
The boy was only five. His name was Ned. He was close to the age Elric’s daughter had been when she’d died. The memory of that innocent child’s death was one of many Errol hadn’t been able to stop. He didn’t intend to let another child die on his watch.
Helga lifted the boy up. “Aren’t you precious?”
Meredith, the “nurse,” shifted from foot to foot uncertainly as Helga handled the child.
Ned tugged on one of Helga’s long blonde braids and smiled impishly at her.
“He’s already a flirt like his father.” Meredith paled after she said it, as if afraid she’d given away too much.
“We are loyal subjects,” Errol assured her. He trusted Helga not to gossip about the prince’s mistress.
“Should we transform you into a little goblin?” Helga asked the boy.
“I want to be a dragon.” Ned said. “Rarr!”
Helga’s brows shot up in surprise. “A dragon?”
Errol cleared his throat. “Unfortunately, that will bring too much attention to you. You’re going to be an imp.”
The first time Errol snuck Prince Elric-Atherius’ family into his private chamber, it gave them a couple of hours to spend together. Guards were posted outside the room, down the hall, and some near Quenylda’s chambers in case she grew suspicious and Errol needed to be alerted. They used the servants’ entrance in and out. The entire time, Errol’s heart palpitated with worry. He didn
’t want to be the reason the prince’s lover and child died.
The second time Meredith and Ned visited was several weeks later, and they were almost caught by Princess Quenylda when she transported herself using magic and became enraged that Elric’s chamber was warded against her entry.
“Where is my husband? I demand entry into his quarters,” Quenylda screeched. “Why are these doors locked? I should be able to transport myself into any room in the palace.”
Errol had to sneak Meredith and Ned out the servants’ exit and hallway. He transported them to the barracks before taking them home. The entire time, his heart raced and sweat coated his back, that he might be caught by Quenylda.
The third time Prince Elric-Atherius called on Errol to ferry his mistress and son to the castle, Errol knew it wasn’t safe.
“Might I suggest an alternative instead?” Errol asked. “It might be easier to bring the guests to the barracks—No royalty would go there voluntarily.”
“That’s a splendid idea. Have I ever told you that you’re the most brilliant officer in the royal guard?”
Errol inclined his head, though he didn’t allow the flattery to persuade him into thinking the prince actually thought that. More likely he simply intended to use honey-coated words to try to manipulate Errol to do his bidding. Errol would rather have just been given direct orders than to have to listen to ingratiation.
Vowing to do his best, despite his desire to be elsewhere, Errol allowed the prince to use his office for the meeting. When Ned grew tired and needed a nap, Errol offered to let the boy use his room to lie down. It wasn’t far, and Errol could glamour them invisible.
“You are more generous than I deserve,” Prince Elric-Atherius said. “You will stay with him, won’t you?”
“It is against my better judgment to leave you in the care of my guards without me here,” Errol said. He trusted them not to give the prince away, but if Princess Quenylda should track him to the barracks, Errol wouldn’t be there for his sovereign.
Prince Elric-Atherius squeezed Errol’s shoulder. “There isn’t any treasure I hold dearer than my children. I will feel less anxious if I have you guarding Ned yourself.”
Errol carried Ned to his room, the boy’s head propped up on his shoulder. Though he glamoured them both invisible for the journey, he took it Helga saw them from the way her eyes flickered in their direction when he passed her, though she said nothing about it. She guided General Hereweald in the other direction down the hall, and Errol gleaned that she didn’t trust their superior officer, but then, neither did Errol.
If General Hereweald knew that Errol had permitted the prince use of his office, he would demand to know why. He would tattle to the king—or worse—Quenylda.
Errol tucked the boy into bed, thinking of his sister and how he had once put her into bed. He’d adored Alma at this age. He unglamoured Ned and himself to conserve energy in case he should need it to transport them away quickly and launch defensive measures against spies, the royal family, or anyone else.
When Errol truly considered what he was doing, he wondered whether he had made a mistake. If the king and queen should catch Prince Elric-Atherius making liaisons with peasants and attempting to skulk around, the most they would do to the prince was forbid him from doing so. The punishment to the mother and child was another matter. Most likely they would permit the princes and princesses to conspire and kill them.
Prince Elric-Atherius put his lover and child in a dangerous position—as well as Errol and his soldiers if they were caught aiding the prince.
At least there was no one else the royal family could threaten to use against Errol. His family was all gone. He couldn’t say the same about everyone he commanded. They had kin.
The child sighed in his sleep, and Errol brushed his hair out of his face.
It had been a long time since he’d taken care of anyone. In another life, one where he had chosen a family over a career, he might have married and had children. He wouldn’t be a captain in the royal guard, but then, perhaps he would have been content being a lieutenant or sergeant. Perhaps he would have been happier if he had stayed in the air navy and stayed away from court.
Not that he’d been given much choice in the matter.
The door creaked open. Errol rose, placing himself between the child and the door. He inhaled deeply, focusing his magic, ready to use it in defense.
CHAPTER NINE
The Wrong Idea
Errol’s heart thundered in his ears. He was so intent on readying himself to shield the child and transport him away, he didn’t bother with glamouring either of them.
Ivy stood in the doorway, a plate of biscuits in her hands. Errol sighed in relief, though the reprieve from concern only lasted a few seconds. Her eyes went wide upon seeing him. She looked to the child with silver hair and back to Errol. He was aware she might erroneously assume the child was his.
It was the lesser of the two evils.
She retreated a step. “I didn’t mean to intrude. I should have knocked.”
Errol pressed a finger to his lips and pointed to the boy. He met her at the door.
“I beg your pardon.” She shoved the plate of biscuits into his hands.
He stepped into the hall and closed the door softly behind him. “I would be grateful if you didn’t speak of what you’ve seen to anyone.”
She tilted her head to the side, confused. “I don’t understand, sir.” She lowered her voice. “Isn’t it allowed for officers to have children?”
He rotated the plate of covered biscuits, needing to do something with his hands. “It’s more complicated than that.”
Her eyes went wide again. “Yes, sir. Of course. You can count on me. I won’t say anything.”
Ivy scurried off. A soft curl of magenta hair curved around the back of her white cap, the striking color drawing his eye. She had a lovely neck. He hadn’t thought about any women or their necks—or anything else—in a long time. He didn’t understand why such thoughts intruded on him now of all times.
Errol returned to his room, wondering whether it was going to complicate his life if Ivy thought he had a child. Prince Elric-Atherius had asked him to lie for him if it came to that. It hadn’t taken long for the need to happen.
* * *
The barracks turned out to be the safest meeting place for Prince Elric-Atherius and his secret family thus far. Errol still worried they might be found out, but he didn’t know what else to try. At least the prince was adept enough at glamour to hide himself on the way there so that he wasn’t spotted. Errol did his best to ensure his soldiers continued to hold their tongues and stay vigilant for danger. But he knew they would eventually slip.
During the fourth visitation, Errol later learned Norris had intervened when Ivy had the ill timing to bring his mending. She reported she had turned the kitchen maid away.
“Don’t worry. She isn’t suspicious.” Norris beamed proudly, holding up his darned socks as though they were a prize. “I told her you were busy with a female friend.”
Errol stared at his sergeant, perplexed. “You could have told her I was in a meeting. Why did you have to tell her I had a female friend?”
Norris crossed her arms, staring at him imperiously, though she was nearly a foot shorter than he was. “She’d already seen you with the woman while you were escorting her and the child out last time. She’d asked if you were married. I had to tell her something.”
Errol ran a hand through his silver hair. He didn’t know what was worse, that Ivy might think he was an unscrupulous officer who lured women to his room—and he had an illegitimate child as a result—or that he was secretly married. He didn’t want anyone to think he was dishonorable, but he found himself dwelling on what she might think of him. Ivy had already encountered enough wicked miscreants in her life to make her fearful of him.
“Did I say something wrong?” Norris’ brows furrowed together.
“No, I suppose not. I just hate for her to think ill of me.” He realized it was illogical; she was merely a kitchen maid, not one of his superiors or a subordinate that worked under him.
“Oh.” Norris’ jaw dropped. “You fancy her, then? Oh, sir, I’m so sorry. You should have told me.”
“No,” Errol said quickly.
Ivy was simply his charge. He wanted to have an amiable relationship with her.
She stayed away, and he found himself regretting that he had agreed to allow the prince use of his quarters. He hardly knew her, and she rarely spoke with him, so he knew it couldn’t be that he missed her company. She was a burden he hadn’t asked for.
It had to be the biscuits he missed. That was what he told himself anyway.
* * *
The next time Prince Elric-Atherius approached Errol in his office about setting up an appointment, the noble was dressed as an officer. Or some semblance of an officer with his coat unbuttoned, shirt untucked, and a ridiculously large codpiece sewn into his pants.
Errol hesitated upon hearing the prince’s request for another secret rendezvous. If they continued using his private room, it would ensure Meredith and Ned safety. More importantly, it would provide a feasible excuse for the reason they were in the barracks and whom they were visiting—but it also meant Errol’s supervising officers might find out and try to scandalize him.
They might make the same assumptions Ivy had, which was bound to complicate his life.
“What is it?” the prince asked.
“Perhaps it would be better to meet somewhere else,” Errol said. “Somewhere outside the castle.”
Prince Elric-Atherius rolled his eyes. “I’ve already asked my father about going on outings in the capital. He says he doesn’t want another heir killed after what happened to Leofflaed and Steorra. If I’m not at the palace or my private estate, I can only leave the grounds if I have an escort of twenty guards.”
Errol considered whether that actually was more dangerous than meeting in the castle. He suspected that was a better alternative. “If I’m the one to select the guards—”