by Jayne Castel
“This isn’t the end, you know,” Asher said softly, breaking the silence. “You will be the first enchanter queen of The Four Kingdoms of Serran.”
Ninia glanced his way, her gaze narrowing. “What? I can’t be both.”
He huffed. “Who says you can’t? Once you’re queen of Thûn, you make the rules. You can rebuild the Order in Veldoras, if you wish.”
Ninia stared at him, realization dawning in her eyes. But they were still shadowed. “I love being an enchanter,” she whispered. “I like living as I please. I don’t want to go back to Veldoras … not yet.”
Asher sighed, turning his gaze from her a moment and looking out across the rooftops and the verdant valley beyond. “I understand how you feel,” he said after a pause. “More than you realize.”
Ninia’s brow furrowed. “How so?”
“I didn’t want to become High Enchanter,” he replied with a wry smile. “A couple of months ago, I considered leaving the Order. Mira wanted us to run away together … and I was tempted.”
“What stopped you?”
Asher reached up and dragged a hand through his hair. “Nathan asked me if I would consider taking on the role, but that wasn’t the reason why I stayed.” He broke off there, searching for the right words. He didn’t want to sermonize. “I realized that there are some responsibilities we can’t run from … there are some things we must face.”
Ninia watched him. Her frown had deepened, but she didn’t contradict him.
“Your path was never going to be easy,” Asher continued. “Not only were you born a princess, but you are also an enchanter of incredible power. With all of that comes great responsibility.”
Ninia muttered a curse under her breath. “No doubt, Nathan will have me on the front line once we reach the gates of Veldoras.”
“Aye, and that’s because he knows you will fight to free your people,” Asher answered. There wasn’t any point in treading lightly; Ninia preferred it when he was direct. “I know Elias failed in his mission, but his father sent him here to assassinate you nonetheless. Reoul poses a great danger to The Four Kingdoms. Every day more reports reach us of how the people of Veldoras suffer under his yoke. Thûn needs you, Ninia.”
Her jaw clenched. “I know that … I just wanted more time to study … to explore enchantment … to be me.”
Asher’s chest tightened at the anguish in her voice. “You can rule Thûn and still be you.” He moved closer to her then and slung a brotherly arm around her shoulders.
Ninia tensed. She wasn’t used to being touched. However, after a moment, she relaxed against him. They stood in silence under the shimmering sun, listening to the chatter of voices rising up from the streets below and the ever-present clang of iron from one of the many new forges. All the men that Nathan had called from far-flung corners of Rithmar would now have a purpose. The king had announced that they’d ride out the dawn after next.
“You have been good to me,” Ninia said finally. She didn’t look at him as she spoke, almost as if such words embarrassed her. “I will never forget your kindness … your patience.”
Asher cleared his throat, suddenly overcome. “What you said yesterday … about me being sent to kill you,” he began, a rasp to his voice. “I’ll go to my grave regretting what I did.”
“Don’t.” Ninia glanced up at him. “Irana may have given the order, but killing is not part of who you are … that’s all that matters.” She smiled then. “I trusted you from the start, long before Mira did.”
Their gazes locked, and Asher heaved in a deep breath. “I’ll always be here for you,” he replied, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Remember Veldoras and The Royal City are only a goshawk flight away.”
22
My Consort
THE LEAGUEFORT ROSE before them against a blushing sky.
Ryana slowed her step as she approached it, taking in the huge construction of ash, beech, and iron, and the twenty-foot palisade that stretched into the distance either-side. A high wooden watchtower loomed over the gates.
She suppressed the urge to look over her shoulder. She’d sent out scouts that morning, and they’d returned with the news that Rithmar soldiers were heading toward the border, but were still many furlongs behind them.
They’d outrun their pursuers—but even so, Ryana was nervous.
For the first time in hours, she glanced Elias’s way. “The fort looks new,” she observed.
He nodded. “Aye … it’s the leaguefort that Ninia burned to the ground a few months ago. They only recently finished rebuilding it. “
Ryana digested this news. If this was that leaguefort then they were around two leagues north of Lake Thornmere, where Asher had traveled earlier in the year to track down and kill Ninia and the woman who guarded her.
Ryana’s lips compressed. So many people wanted her dead, but Ninia had defied them all. So far, kindness had been her strongest weapon. “How are you going to play this?” she asked.
Elias raised a dark eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“Will you tell them Ninia’s dead?” It was a bold question, but she needed to hide the fact that the sight of the leaguefort unnerved her.
She was about to enter enemy territory.
The prince’s mouth lifted at the edges. “Aye … it’s best for us both if everyone thinks that for the moment.” His gaze shadowed then. “My father will be easier to deal with if he doesn’t already know I’ve failed him.”
Again.
The word was unspoken, yet seemed to whisper in the humid early evening air.
They were nearing the iron gates now. A row of helmed Anthor guards stood before them. Their stance was aggressive, spears thrusting toward the newcomers. However, when some of the soldiers recognized the man striding toward them, they lowered their spears.
“Your Highness!”
Elias smiled and raised a hand in an unconsciously regal gesture.
Ryana’s tensed, misgiving fluttering in her belly. They were about to walk into his world—a world where, after his father, Elias of Anthor ruled.
The line of guards parted, and one of the men stepped up to the iron gates and pounded his fist upon it. “Open the gates … Prince Elias has returned!”
Elias walked through the tunnel and halted while his men raised the portcullis on the southern entrance and opened the gates. The garrison commander awaited him. Tall and rawboned, he was new to the post. Mira had killed the previous commander.
The man bowed low from the waist, leather armor creaking. “Your Highness … welcome. I’m Commander Aureliano.”
Elias acknowledged the man with a nod. “Good eve, commander. Have a room prepared in the fort. We’ll be staying overnight.”
“Aye, Your Highness.”
“Address me as ‘captain’,” Elias replied. “Save the formal titles for court.”
The commander’s face tightened in embarrassment. “Of course, captain.”
Elias’s attention shifted to the leaguefort that loomed over them. “You and the lads have done a good job rebuilding this,” he commented. “Last time I saw the fort, it was little more than a smoldering ruin.”
Commander Aureliano smiled, basking in the praise. “The men have worked hard. No one crosses the border without our say so.” His gaze searched Elias’s face then, his dark eyes burning with curiosity. “Your mission … was it successful?”
“Aye,” Elias replied, deliberately keeping his answer brusque. “I will deliver the news to my father in person.”
Commander Aureliano’s gaze moved past Elias then, focusing on the woman who stood silently a few feet behind him. “Who’s she?”
“My consort,” Elias replied, not bothering to even look in Ryana’s direction. “Ryana is an enchanter … she helped me escape The Royal City after I slew the princess.”
Elias heard Ryana’s swift intake of breath, her low hiss of outrage, and he bit back a smile. Revenge could take various forms. He’d enjoy this.
; Elias moved past the commander and into the leaguefort’s watch tower through a set of heavy wooden doors. The scent of sawdust greeted him as his boots sank into a thick layer of it.
Wordlessly, Ryana followed him in.
The feasting hall was cavernous and lined with rough planks of timber. Heavy iron girders criss-crossed the high ceiling. A raised wooden platform sat at one end of the hall, where the commander and the highest ranking of his men took their meals. To the right, a wooden staircase wound its way to the upper levels of the tower.
Elias headed for the platform and the long table that sat upon it. He took a chair at one end and sank down, motioning to Ryana to take a seat to his right.
Her expression was pinched, her gaze narrowed, yet she obeyed.
The aroma of roasting venison wafted out of a nearby doorway, causing Elias’s belly to contract. He cast Ryana a deliberately careless smile. “That’s good timing … we’ve arrived just in time for supper.”
Ryana didn’t reply. She sat beside him, her posture stiff, her gaze watchful.
Men, some of the lower ranking guards, brought out jugs of ale and filled the commander and his guests’ cups first.
Commander Aureliano had joined them at the table, his attention riveted upon Elias. “The princess,” he began, his expression keen. “Did she give you any trouble, captain?”
Elias took a gulp of ale. “No … I crept up behind her and drew a blade across her throat.”
The commander nodded, his mouth curving.
More men appeared then, bearing platters of roast venison and unleavened bread. Elias’s belly ached at the sight of it. How he’d been looking forward to a proper meal. He didn’t want to answer the commander’s questions. He wanted to eat and drink.
Beside Elias, Ryana helped herself to a slice of venison and tore off a piece of bread. Her expression was still stony, although he knew she’d be as hungry as he was.
“You did well reaching the border, captain,” the commander continued, undaunted by the prince’s silence. “Didn’t they send a hunting party after you?”
Elias swallowed a mouthful of venison and nodded. “They did … but my enchanter here managed to cover our tracks.” He caught Ryana’s eye and winked. She stared back at him, high spots of color appearing on her cheeks. Elias resisted the urge to grin at her, before he glanced back at Commander Aureliano.
“Have your men prepare us a bath in our room and find us clean clothes,” he ordered. “We’ll also need horses ready for us tomorrow morning.”
“Certainly, captain,” the commander replied with a polite smile. “I shall see it done.”
Ryana followed Elias up the creaking stairs, glaring at his back.
He didn’t seem to notice or care.
She didn’t like being inside this leaguefort. Now that the men here thought she was the prince’s consort, she’d caught one or two of them leering at her.
The sooner they resumed their journey south, the better.
A guard led the way to the third floor of the watch tower, where he took them into a sparsely-furnished chamber. The air smelled of freshly milled wood, a fragrant scent that would have relaxed Ryana if she hadn’t been seething.
A large iron tub stood in the center of the floor. A privacy screen sat next to it.
Ryana’s gaze slid over the tub, going to the single sleeping pallet in the corner, where two piles of clean clothing sat. Hands clenching by her sides, she whipped round to face Elias. However, he had his back to her as he closed the door to the room.
With a click, he sealed them both inside before turning to her.
The bastard was grinning.
“My enchanter. My consort.” She spat out the words. “Was all that for my benefit?”
“No,” he replied smoothly. “It was for mine.”
“What?”
“I wanted to see the fury on your face.”
Ryana inhaled deeply, her hands balling at her sides. “Well, you’ve had your fun. Get them to prepare me my own room. I’m not staying here with you.”
“Sorry, Ryana,” he said in a tone that didn’t contain an ounce of contrition. “It’s important we keep up the pretense … otherwise folk will wonder why you’re traveling with me.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “This is going too far. I’m not bathing … or sleeping … in the same room as you.”
He shrugged and started to unlace his shirt. The once bright crimson was stained with dirt and sweat. Tearing it off, he reached for the laces of his breeches. “Well, if you don’t mind I’m going to bathe … I stink like a goat.”
Ryana backed away from him. The sight of his broad chest and the smattering of dark hair that arrowed down to his belly made her pulse race. “Undress behind the screen,” she snapped. “I don’t want to see this.”
He cast her a slow smile that challenged that assertion, but did as bid, moving to the steaming tub and pulling the screen across so that he was concealed from view. Moments later she heard him sigh as he sank into the water.
Ryana stood by the doorway, tension rippling through her.
His behavior was deliberately goading.
Ever since their confrontation that first evening out from The Royal City, they’d communicated little. Ryana hadn’t minded. It certainly made traveling together easier. She didn’t want to hear his excuses, or more lies. However, it seemed as if Elias had been biding his time till they reached the leaguefort. He’d wanted to embarrass her. He’d enjoyed it.
“This ruse isn’t necessary,” she grumbled, moving over to a low stool and settling herself down on it. Her limbs ached, and her filthy tunic and leggings itched her skin. Ryana wrinkled her nose. She too badly needed to bathe. “You could have come up with a different excuse for my presence.”
Elias gave a soft laugh. “Aye … but this one suits me better.”
Ryana glowered at the screen. How had she ever let this man seduce her? He was obnoxious. And yet, as she heard splashes while he washed, images of his strong, naked body flashed into her mind. The way that body had slid against hers, the feel of his sculpted muscles under her questing fingertips, tortured her.
Swallowing hard, Ryana squeezed her eyes shut, banishing the heated thoughts.
It was lust, pure and simple—the reason why she’d fallen under his spell. It had tricked her into believing she had feelings for this man. Even now, when she knew him to be a liar, her body still responded to him.
Tears pricked the back of her eyelids, and Ryana drew in a long, shuddering breath. After Gael, she’d thought she was wiser when it came to men. But this mess had taught her the opposite was true. She’d let herself be drawn into Elias’s web once, but she wouldn’t be taken in again.
Ryana glanced around the room. It might as well have been a cell; she was trapped in here.
A short while later Elias emerged from behind the screen. He was naked save for the drying cloth wrapped around his loins.
“The water’s still hot,” he informed her. His gaze slid over her sweat and travel-stained clothing. “I suggest you take advantage of it.”
Ryana rose to her feet. “Give me some privacy, and I’ll bathe.”
“As you wish.” Elias moved to the sleeping pallet, picked up a pile of clothing, and disappeared behind the screen once more. When he re-emerged, he was dressed in black leather breeches, a black silk shirt, and a black leather vest. The clothing made him look rakishly attractive. “I’ll be back shortly,” he promised before leaving her alone.
As soon as the door thudded shut behind him, Ryana breathed a soft curse. Shadows, how she loathed him. She bitterly regretted her decision to accompany him to Veldoras. She should have abandoned Elias on the other side of the border and returned to The Royal City.
Ryana huffed another curse. The promise of Gael had been too tempting.
Guilt gnawed at her then. It was her fault Gael had lived to cause more trouble. She had no idea how he’d managed to discover a way to safely wield Stynix
, but if something wasn’t done, he’d throw The Four Kingdoms into chaos.
She should have ensured Gael was dead that day before the Ice Door. Instead, she’d been focused on ensuring that Lilia destroyed The King Breaker.
This was her mess, and she’d put it right.
Hands trembling, Ryana unbuckled her belt, pulled off her tunic, and removed her leggings. Then, she walked over to the tub, lowering herself in. The water indeed was still hot. Elias hadn’t spent long in there.
Grabbing a block of lye soap, Ryana started to scrub at her skin.
She wouldn’t think about Elias now—not when she was naked in the same bath water that had caressed his nakedness. She’d focus on getting clean. After that, she’d turn her attention to dealing with Gael.
Until then, she’d have to keep a close eye on Elias.
23
Shadows in the Woods
NINIA MADE HER way out of the encampment, seeking solitude.
A grey dusk settled over the vast Rithmar army. They were in the midst of the highlands, at the end of their first day out from the capital. Pine-clad peaks wreathed in mist surrounded them this evening. The scent of wood smoke filled the valley, and the rumble of male voices punctuated the dusk. Space was limited here in the highlands, so the army had made camp on the highway, its bulk spreading up the foothills either side.
Ninia wandered past soldiers lighting hearths and settling down to a supper of bread, dried meat, cheese, and apples. It was decent fare for camp rations, but later, when the bread grew stale, they would have to make do with twice-baked oatcakes for the rest of the campaign.
Few paid her any attention despite that they all would know who she was. Their focus, and conversation, was on the upcoming battles. First they would take the leaguefort that spanned the Royal Highway on the Rithmar-Thûn border, and then they would march south to Veldoras.
Rithmar would deal Anthor a hammer blow.
Ninia’s skin prickled at such talk. She’d never traveled with an army before. Aggression and excitement charged the air.