The Celestial King

by L Ward

  Nath’s skin paled and he got up in a flash and stood before him. “What evidence have you?”

  “I—”

  “That is a very serious allegation, William,” said Miriam.

  His eyes slid back to Nath. “He’s been having secret meetings; he’s trying to marry me to another throne and—”

  “Will, those are business meetings,” said Nath. His nose crinkled adorably. “You absolutely stink of alcohol. Have you two been arguing again?”

  “Yes, and my suspicions all fit. I know what he’s like!”

  “I think you might be jumping to conclusions. Gerard is being extraordinarily helpful for this mission, and tomorrow he will be collecting reports from intelligence near the border so we’ll hopefully have a better picture of the palace before we arrive. He's assured me of his loyalty; he swore an oath.”

  Will swallowed. “Nath, I really think you should put a watch on him at least.”

  Nath studied him closely and Will felt Evan and Miriam’s eyes burning on him. “Is this to get out of your nuptials?”

  “No! Nath. Please,” he tried very hard to put emotion in his eyes, to bring himself to the shameful brink of begging. He had a horrible feeling about this and yet he could see Nath’s logic. He didn’t have any sure-fire evidence that his father was committing treason and anyone else involved wouldn’t speak out against him.

  Nath’s eyes softened a little. “Whatever is going on between you it needs to be resolved before this next mission. If it’ll settle your nerves I’ll put a shadow on him and report to you my findings. I’ve little trust for half my court as it is,” he said bitterly. “In the meantime if you can provide me any evidence, I will take your claims more seriously. I cannot in good conscious accuse of and punish a man for treason without absolute conviction.”

  Will swallowed. He knew Nath was right no matter how wrong he was about it. He conceded and bid them good evening before disappearing back to his rooms to come up with a plan.

  ∞∞∞

  He didn’t sleep that night and arrived early to the Monday morning Privy Council meeting feeling wired on adrenaline. His head pulsated with exhaustion, his mind working overdrive trying to come up with some way to clean up this mess without bowing to the will of Gerard.

  Sir Alvarez was next to arrive looking tired and unusually tense. He eyed Will carefully before he spoke, “I hear you are getting married.”

  What the fuck?

  “No.”

  The man’s eyebrows raised and he sank into his chair a little further down the table. “I see. If you are affianced I’d like to ask what you are doing with my son?”

  Will’s heart nearly choked him.

  “I saw you going to his apartments.”

  Oh. Bollocks.

  He sighed and leaned back on his chair. “Yeah?”

  Alvarez’s lips twitched and he chuckled. “Your father has been vocal at breakfast over the number of princesses he is able to secure for you. Dante has been through a lot and you pose a distraction to him that I hope won’t ruin his opportunities. He may not be royalty but he is of high birth and I will not see him used as a plaything for spoiled brats,” anger flexed his jaw and his blue eyes became a tempest of emotion.

  Will stared, shocked.

  “I am not a man of judgement but I have heard many stories of your behaviour, Sir Starstone, and I am well acquainted with your senior.”

  “I’m nothing like him.”

  Alvarez stared, hard. The room was becoming clammy with heat like a deep rainforest and smelled of swampy summers. “Dante tells me of your Spanish lessons and that he has shared intimacy with you.”

  Will couldn’t hide his embarrassment.

  “I think of you are not intending to marry those wonderful ladies you should tell your father. He believes a powerful alliance is about to be made, I wouldn’t want to be the one to disappoint such a figure. Perhaps you could speak with my son before he finds out you are otherwise taken?”

  He flinched.

  Alvarez sighed, face creasing with disappointment. “Sometimes I wonder if I have made the right choice coming here. It does not seem so welcoming a place.”

  Sir Winscott arrived puffing and carrying his briefcase. “Morning, gentlemen.”

  And then the council came to life as more members arrived, drowning him in a sea of noise and chatter. When Gerard arrived he avoided his dark eyes, glittering with malice and deeds to a throne.

  He had no idea what to do but one thing was for certain: he wasn’t leaving Court. His train of thought derailed the moment Nath burst in, pale and wide-eyed with Evan by his side looking grave.

  “The ambassador is dead,” Nath said calmly but his eyes were anything but.

  Gasps resounded and Sir Winscott rose to his feet and crossed himself. “By the gods!”

  “Murder,” Nath continued, taking his seat. “A band of civilians attacked a regiment of patrolling warlocks outside London, they killed ten and injured another six and drove them away. It was a short-lived victory; Undermouth blames me,” he said bitterly.

  Will saw the anger and disappointment glitter in Nath’s eyes. He blamed himself even though this was out of his hands. “Doesn't that violate his temporary ceasefire?” Everyone looked at him but he refused to shrink under their stares.

  “In his eyes he believes I have broken the ceasefire despite this not being royal orders,” said Nath.

  “Have the perpetrators of the attack been rounded up?” asked Sir Alvarez.

  Nath nodded and spread his palms on the table. “I will not have them punished they are merely being questioned.”

  “By the gods! They should be jailed!” Sir Winscott’s outburst shocked them all.

  Nath stared.

  Winscott was trembling and fiddling with his pork pie hat like a nervous street urchin. He averted his eyes and said, “they jeopardised the safety of the country. We’ve lost the ambassador of Nepal.”

  “They were not to know,” said Nathaniel slowly. “They grasped what they believe to be an opportunity for vengeance and this was the response.”

  “Ambassador Raj wasn’t held in overseas,” said Gerard.

  Will hadn’t known that, and judging by the look on Nath’s face, neither had he. The room cringed and the air sparkled with distaste. It was bitter.

  “How do you know?” asked Sir Alvarez.

  Gerard shot him a look that would slay the devil. “Isn’t it obvious? Do I need to repeat myself again, or is your English up to par?”

  Alvarez looked at Gerard as though he were something distasteful on his shoes. “Perhaps repeat how you knew the ambassador had been moved.”

  Will glanced at Nath, he was watching Alvarez with cunning curiosity. To others he may have looked like a nineteen-year-old anticipating a fight, but to Will he knew that analytical spark in his eye. It was something close to suspicion.

  “Why would they risk moving him such a great distance when they could hold him in the Dead Counrty palace?” said Gerard.

  Alvarez didn’t look impressed.

  “Hopefully this time His Majesty will tell his council when he next plans to attack,” Gerard turned a winning smile on him.

  “Two days hence the full moon.”

  There was a murmur, a shuffle, members of council bursting into deliberation with one another. Nath was smiling and Will wondered if he was telling the truth.

  “What are ya gonna do about Raj?” he asked over the commotion.

  “Vengeance will happen when we reach Undermouth’s castle. We’ll be going in a regiment and instigate an attack,” said Nathaniel.

  “Shouldn’t we just end it and go now?” Gerard interrupted.

  “No, we need to make preparations and accumulate as many soldiers as we can. Some will need to be cloaked and make progress before we leave,” said Nathaniel. “Sir Williston do you have the updated listings from the new General of Defence?”

  “Of course, Your Majesty.”

  Paper pa
ssed and Nath took a few minutes to study it, brows drawn in concern.

  “Numbers are lower than we’d like, sir.”

  Gerard’s chair scraped back and he strode over to the King, reading over his shoulder.

  Will stared in amazement at the abstract disrespect, as did most of the council.

  “Less than a hundred,” said Gerard.

  “It’s doable,” said Winscott.

  “I will think on it,” said Nathaniel.

  Winscott looked at him sharply. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but the numbers won’t swell much in the next few days. We should just push forcefully.”

  “I think we should go along with His Majesty,” Gerard’s eyes glittered. “What do you think, son?”

  Will straightened up under call and gaze. “I think we should keep to His Majesty’s wishes.”

  Gerard grinned in gleaming triumph.

  “The real question is what do we do on arrival? This meeting is going to be nasty,” said Alvarez.

  “I’ve had several ideas,” said Nathaniel. “Here’s the first…”

  Chapter 38

  With five days until they left, Evan was grateful to do something that would take his mind off the constant swirling off horrendous thoughts racing his mind. Death, monsters, decapitation… and Nath’s plan. Lord above he was posing a risk by telling the very council he suspected. The summons about it would come eventually, he guessed.

  The thoughts were struck from his mind when the pearly gates opened and the golden horse boxes were drawn along the path and onto the stable yard. Evan strode forward as a young lady in a stunning silver ball gown with long blonde hair hopped from the front carriage.

  “Lady Freya,” Evan greeted her with a smile and brotherly hug.

  “It’s wonderful to see you again, brother,” she spoke gently. “How is His Majesty?” she asked and beckoned him round the back of the boxes where the stable hands began drawing back bolts and relieving the protection charms with soft mutters.

  “Nath’s fine. Busy, though. Constant meetings and the like,” said Evan.

  She nodded and they watched a horse black as onyx with eyes a brilliant shade of hellfire march from the box, knees high and nostrils flaring. It’s mane was a whisper of smoke, it’s tail a jet of flame. “I believe these horses will suffice for your upcoming journey.”

  “More than suffice by the looks of them,” Evan spluttered.

  “My talents never go to waste in the royal household,” she smiled warmly. “They’re resistant to fire and ice damage, they cannot be cut and their blood flows as smoke through fingers.”

  Evan swallowed his shock as a pair of jet-black wings spread from its shoulders, the feathers gleaming bluish in the sun. “Pegasus.”

  “And only the best,” said Freya. “I do hope Nathaniel likes them.”

  “He most certainly does,” said Nath, appearing over Evan’s shoulder.

  Freya dropped a curtsey. “Your Majesty.”

  “Sister dearest,” he smiled back and pulled her into a hug. “I see you’ve been hard at work. Did the new zoologist you hired work out?”

  “Dr Hand? He’s been a blessing to the stud farm.”

  Evan snorted. “Handy, eh?”

  They both laughed and the three of them watched the rest of the beautiful Pegasi being taken to their designated paddock for grazing.

  “And here Prince Evan said you were busy,” said Freya.

  “I am and to tell you the truth I shouldn’t be here. I’m late for a meeting with Sir Alvarez, one of my newer courtiers,” he explained. “I’ll leave this matter in Evan’s capable hands,” he smiled and kissed his temple.

  “Best of luck with your upcoming mission,” she said warmly. “These Pegasi will provide you with the best battle beasts one can manage.”

  Nath smirked. “You have my greatest thanks and respect. After it’s all over you must come to dinner sometime.”

  Freya smiled graciously. “It’ll be good to see you and mother again properly.”

  Nath parted with a long, slow kiss on Evan’s lips and the unspoken promise of a summons to come. Literally.

  “I have little time,” said Freya, breaking his gazing after Nath. “It isn’t the best time for travel and we’ve come some distance, it’s time to head home.”

  Evan bowed and watched the carriages pack up and disappear into the distance to the melody of clip-clopping hooves and soft wickers. He breathed in the fresh hay and warm horse knowing this would be the smell of the next mission.

  “This one will be designated to His Majesty,” a young caramel-skinned man smiled, offering Evan a deep bow and gesturing to the grand stallion gleaming in the sunlight, dark as night with wicked-sharp eyes and hooves of granite. The beast had to be over twelve feet tall, a soft glow emanating from deep in his crystal body.

  “He’s magnificent,” Evan breathed.

  The man smiled. “And this one is yours,” he gestured to another horse, just as grand with eyes a sinister shade of violet.

  Evan circled him giving the back legs a wide berth. The horse’s ears twitched and his enormous head turned to observe Evan admiring his blazing purple tail. “He’s brilliant.”

  The horse whickered softly like he understood what the Prince was saying and appreciated the admiration.

  Evan and the stable hand laughed. “Your name?”

  “I’m Jamal Haynes,” he bowed again. “I’ll be in charge of preparing these horses for your next journey.”

  “Nice to meet you, Jamal. I’ll make sure everyone involved is handsomely rewarded for their duties,” Evan nodded to another servant being dragged into the paddock by one of the horses.

  “Use magic!” another was calling, waving his arms.

  Jamal looked as though he was trying hard not to laugh. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” He bowed and hurried after the man struggling with the horse.

  He watched the rest of the beasts take themselves out to pasture, stretching their wings in dreamlike fashion. Task complete, he headed up to the palace enjoying the gentle rays of sunshine sprinkle his skin with warmth. He paused and tilted his face to the sky, drawing the rays into his body and he began to glow a tender gold. Warmth spread through his body and his heart sang to the melody of Solaris. His worries disappeared, replaced by a sense of comfort: relaxation. He drew Ines energy until a cloud crossed the sun and the beam cut.

  Glowing with sunshine, he walked into the palace with a spring in his step.

  ∞∞∞

  “—But I’m not going to!”

  Evan stopped abruptly at the end of the library aisle closest to his favourite reading room. A scuffling to his left summoned his curiosity and Dante’s voice came hushed; anxious.

  “Your father believes otherwise.”

  Evan blinked.

  Will.

  Of course.

  “It’s not as simple as outright telling him, I’ve told you that before.”

  Pause.

  Evan held his breath. He should not be listening to this; it was private and could cost Will dearly if the wrong person overheard.

  “He gloats in his new rise to power and is planning a summer wedding for you. He says you’ll make your choice any day now,” hurt was powerful in Dante’s voice. “You tell me one thing and your father another. What happened to the life serving His Majesty you envisioned, or was it a lie?”

  “I’ll tell him I’m staying soon!” Will hissed angrily. The air sparked in fragments of tangerine and gold.

  “But you won’t tell him you are dating me?”

  Will sucked a sharp breath and Dante sighed loudly.

  “I wish I could.”

  The atmosphere changed, became close and clammy.

  “You have freedom of will. You can refuse him,” Dante said coldly.

  “I need to tell you something. Can you swear to keep it between us?” Will’s voice claimed an icy peak of seriousness. Shivers coursed down Evan’s spine.

  “I swear,” Dante whispered.


  Evan stepped away not wanting to be part of this.

  Dante’s gasp nearly swallowed the universe.

  He stumbled and tripped into the opposite case and a heavy leather bound magic book crashed from the shelf to the floor in an explosion of glitter.

  Will flew round the corner faster than Evan could react, seized him by the cloak and threw him to the ground at Dante’s feet. His magic flared in his elbows, fear in his belly.

  “You!” He snapped, pointing a shaking finger. His cheeks were on fire and shame flickered in his eyes.

  Dante grabbed Will by the arms and hauled him away. “Stop! That is Prince Evan!”

  Evan got shakily to his feet. “Dante, it’s fine—"

  “It’s not fucking fine!” Will snarled, fists blazing to his shoulder and eyes burning more ferociously than the pegasus. “Why are ya eavesdropping?” His face contorted with rage.

  Evan’s lipped popped apart. “I wasn’t—”

  “You two are friends, yes?” Dante pointed between them. Both of them paused and Evan heard the cogs turn in Will’s mind. Neither of them spoke and Dante shook his head. “You should tell him what you just told me.”

  Will’s dark eyes widened, his face a burning effigy of rage. “I can’t.”

  Dante sighed heavily.

  Tiny fragments of blue glittered the air and Evan felt the disappointment radiating from Dante. Will’s fists burned to his shoulders and he shook off the flames.

  “I see why you are to be wed so quickly.”

  Will swallowed and shot Dante a panicked look.

  Evan was amazed, he’d never seen Will like this before. He’d seen him angry, bitter and hurt but this was more akin to the terror on the dragon’s back.

  “I’m not going to marry those girls!” Will hissed.

  “People will talk, they already do,” Dante frowned.

  “What’s going on?” Evan asked.

  The library door banged open and footsteps echoed down the aisle.

  “Dante? ¿Dónde estás?” Sir Alvarez called.

  “Come to my apartments later and we will sort this out,” Dante breathed, grazing his lips across Will’s knuckles.

  Evan watched Will’s cheeks warm slightly as Dante slipped through the bookcase calling to his father in Spanish. He turned back to Will and the boy was shaking, lips pursed. “What the hell is going on?” He whispered.