“We won’t find them,” Athan said flatly. “Call off the searches. Whatever Kayla had to block Sabetha from seeing her must now be in Baden’s hands. They are invisible to us… for now.”
The guard rose up and nodded. “I will go tell them.”
Athan gave passing thought to going over and killing the guard, but he’d already done enough damage for the time being. He waved the man away.
How Kayla, with so little effort, had come in and disrupted his world was baffling. Baden had always been too agreeable. He should have known it was a sign of weakness on his son’s part. He’d misjudged Baden, and now he was paying for it. The boy had inherited some of his mother’s rebellious spirit, after all.
He should have known.
Still, it was ultimately of little matter. He would still pursue Kayla into the Northern Wastes. Baden and Vinson running away would do nothing to stop it.
They would turn up someday, or get themselves killed out in the world at some point. Vinson had no abilities or survival skills, and Baden’s power was still limited. Athan hadn’t been so foolish as to hone all of his son’s skills to the point he would pose a threat to him.
Athan knew there were things he was going to have to set back in order once his arm healed and he was back up to his full strength. While his men continued to work on his machines to get him to Kayla, there were other loose ends for him to address.
The source of his injury being one of his main concerns. Though it would be a simple matter to stay out of Keiran’s reach and not be threatened by the sword again, Athan knew he couldn’t let that be. He would have to get it from Keiran, and the younger vampire needed to be put back into his place.
The Tordanian King was getting a little too full of himself. Athan had always known it was a risk he’d face with the other vampire. It was simply in Keiran’s blood to push back.
Athan realized he’d need a heavier hand with Keiran. While he’d always held back to some degree with Keiran, just as he had with Baden, it clearly wasn’t the right path. Keiran was far more important than Baden had been, however. He was already in a position of power. However small a country Tordania was, it was still a starting point.
Keiran would be pinned down for a few months, though, and not something to worry about yet. He would be punished for his actions when Athan felt like it. For now, it was time to focus on Talaus and his recuperation.
The rest of the world could wait.
The Stolen Princess Page 23