Chapter 26

C ould he be executed already? The dim dungeon wrapped him like a fog, the blood and guts from the rabbit stuck to him like a second skin, and the bucket of his excrement in the corner steamed with stink. Being put out of his misery would be better than this. A scrap of bread here, a drop of water there… His final moments could not come fast enough.

He stopped caring about Avalynn's betrayal two days ago. His shock and anguish transformed until it evolved into a resilient shield that guarded the remnants of his heart. She was nothing more than a phantom now, lost in the shadow of his memories. A rotten piece of fruit left to wither on the vine of his past. A Stromm. He never wanted to see her again, though he was sure she'd be at his execution. Front row for his death by beheading. He would not give her the satisfaction of knowing how deeply she cut him. He would not glance her way. Or maybe he would… Maybe he would level her with a stare until the bitter end. He shook his head. As if she would even care.

With his hands clasped in front of him, his family and friends sprang to mind. He hoped they were okay and that the news of his fate hadn't troubled them too much. They all knew the risk of the hunt. But still…

A clunking sound pulled him to his feet, followed by pounding boots. It was day three. Time to put an end to all things. A trio of guards opened his cage. Two pointed their spears at him; the other held out a stack of clothes. Simple brown garments.

"Your High King and Queen would like me to change my clothing for my big send-off? I am not opposed to it, of course." He stepped out of his cell. "Perhaps I could have a final meal as well? I'm not sure how these things are carried out since this is all new to me, but a spread would be nice."

"Silence," the tallest one warned.

With the spears pressed to his back, he made his way down the corridor. Outside, the bright sun blinded him, the warmth welcome against his cold and grimy skin. They walked down a crushed granite path that hugged the outer gardens and winded to a small brick building Mateo hadn't noticed before. "Will I be changing here? Or do you have something else planned for me, like some sort of pre-execution torture?"

The guards nudged him inside, and he found himself in a small bathhouse. Tan brick lined the walls, and white marble covered the floor. In the middle sat a large tub filled with steamy hot water. Mateo's shoulders dropped as a sigh escaped his lips. "Please tell me that is for me."

The guard set the clean clothes on a stool. "It is."

He didn't care why he was getting a bath or who stayed to watch. He was already stripping down and climbing in. With a soft groan, he submerged himself in the water and stayed there as long as he could hold his breath. His hands moved across his chest over the raised and bumpy cuts and scrapes inflicted by the Shadowblood Fox. Their scuffle in the cave seemed so long ago, that time with Avalynn like a dream. Though now more like a nightmare.

Mateo broke the ripples with an exhale and took the cloth draped over the edge of the tub. He began scrubbing, and the towel sudsed with notes of lavender and sage. He undid his braids and ran his fingers through his dark strands. The crystal-clear water soon turned murky as the dark and chunky remains of the hunt floated atop. He thought of that foul creature Eiric and how Selene, Avalynn, and Finnian did their best to clean him before his departure. He was grateful to have the same opportunity.

A spear knocked on the edge of the tub. "Out."

With a final rinse, Mateo got out, dried himself, and put on clean clothes. He snatched his cross from the pocket of his dirty pants and placed it in his clean one. Feeling almost like himself, he followed the guards out of the bathhouse. Instead of heading to the back of the garden, where he'd thought his execution would take place, the guards prodded him to the palace.

"Why are we going to the palace?" He eyed the guards. "A final meal? Perhaps some meat and fresh bread?"

They kept their silence as they entered the rear door and escorted Mateo to the receiving room. The thick, heavy doors were closed, and outside waited Master Kragar. Mateo nearly tripped over his feet at the sight of the mad dwarf. What did he want?

His scowl dug deep into his face, his red hair greased down and woven into several small braids. He waved his axe in Mateo's face. "You listen up, lowborn. You have been summoned to a meeting of the Royal Council to answer questions about what happened to the missing hunters. You will be truthful or?— "

"—I will be executed? Oops, too late."

Kragar's blade came within a hair's breadth of his nose. "You will be truthful, or you will be tortured slowly for over an eon until all of your blood is emptied drop by drop. You understand?"

Mateo flared his nostrils, feigning indifference while his gut clenched. "Whatever you say, Master Dwarf."

What was going on? An air of panic and desperation laced the dwarf's voice. Dark circles had formed under his eyes. He hadn't slept. Something must have happened, no doubt a result of Selene's early departure from the hunt. Would her actions favor him in some way? Could he be that lucky? He pushed that idea aside. Lowborns didn't have luck, especially those that finished last.

Kragar swung open the heavy door. The High King and High Queen sat in their day thrones in the front of the room. The view took him back to the presentation of the hunters on his arrival, when he strode past everyone, knocked Avalynn with his shoulder, and entered the room first. He almost chuckled at their reversal of roles. Had his little act inspired her? He would never know. Even if he wanted to ask, she was not there. Maybe she was counting her silver and gold, ordering people around like Lirien said when he and his friends were on Spirit Butte. He was going to miss them and that place.

A row of seats with lesser royals in formal attire was lined before the king and queen. To the side was a lone servant's chair of simple wood. Kragar nudged Mateo in its direction, and he sat. A stretch of silence filled the room as all eyes bore into him. What were they waiting for?

The dreaded witch Raelor rose from his seat behind the High King. He flicked his long dark robe behind him and moved in front of Mateo. His long white hair hung loose. He wore his usual all black, matching the molten-colored staff in his hand.

Mateo raised his brow and narrowed his stare. He was already dead, so he didn't hold back. "What does the royal henchman want?" He spat on the gold-flecked marble. "Another plaything to occupy your time? Are your rats boring you?"

A growl escaped the witch's thin lips.

"Oh!" Mateo quickly added. "I know! You are the master servant of the palace. I would enjoy a glass of wine and a plate of cheese, please."

Raelor's diamond eyes darkened like an endless void. He raised his crooked fingers.

"Stop!" commanded the High Queen, shutting him down. She sat tall on her sparkling wood throne, dressed in all green and wearing a simple crown of silver and crystal. Her dark hair draped over her ivory shoulders. All eyes shot her way. Even the King's. "Ask your questions, Raelor."

Mateo thought the High King had all the power. But maybe it was the High Queen. Not that it mattered.

The witch took a few steps, repositioning himself. "Mateo Vela of the Sublands. You have been brought here to answer questions about the Summit Range Hunt and the disappearance of Princess Avalynn."

His nerves shot on edge as his head spun. Disappearance? A shiver ran down his spine, causing a slight tremor in his hands. "What do you mean, is she missing?"

Ignoring Mateo, Raelor tapped his staff against the marble floor and began asking a series of questions about the hunt and Avalynn, Eiric, Selene, and Finnian. Were any of them in an alliance with Avalynn? Did any of them speak privately with her? Was she ever alone? How did Eiric meet his end? How did Finnian, and what did Selene say when she left the group?

There were also questions about the regular foxes, the Shadowbloods, the dragons, the elk, and even Stormshroud. The witch went on and on as the day turned to night. Some of his questions were repeated, others asked in different ways. But one thing remained constant, the truth of Mateo's answers. Missing or not, he owed Avalynn the betrayer nothing. He didn't hold anything back and answered each question as best as he could. Until…

"Did any of the hunters engage in romantic activities?"

He drew in his chin. Why ask that? Did they somehow know about him and Avalynn and their time at the Green Falls? Could Raelor read minds? He shut off his, just in case. The hunt… Focus on that. Answer in the vaguest way possible. "I did not pay them any heed as I was trying to win and not get killed."

"Did Princess Avalynn ever indicate having any romantic attraction to any of the hunters?"

Were they on to them? Did they know what they had done on that boulder? He raged inside. What he and Avalynn did was none of their business. "She was hard to read."

"Hard to read? So she never spoke about romantic interludes?"

"She hated me, and I hated her." It was true in the beginning, and true now.

"Does that mean she never spoke about romantic interludes?"

He fumed. "She is missing, and you want to know if she was having sex?"

"Sex, sexual relations, romantic interludes, romantic interactions. Call it what you will. Did any of your fellow hunters have any of those interactions with the princess?"

He jumped to his feet. "We were trying to survive your vicious and rigged hunt!"

Kragar slammed his hand on Mateo's shoulder and forced him to sit. "Down with you!"

Mateo heaved, ready to charge the crazed dwarf. Desperate to slam his fist against his pudgy face when a guard from behind held his arms behind his back.

"Did you have any of those interactions with the princess?"

Mateo's heartbeat quickened. So far he had avoided mention of her wounds, her blue light, the Enbarr and the Green Falls and how they had shared each other. That part of the hunt was theirs and theirs alone. It did not belong to anyone else. His brow raised sharply while he tapped his right foot, ready to explode out of the chair, even if it meant the witch would end him on the spot.

The High Queen quickly rose to her feet. She waved her arm. "Everyone out!"

As if on cue, the High King joined her. "Now!"

Kragar swung his axe in the air. "Move it, move it!" He jabbed it at Mateo. "Except you. You stay put."

He gulped. What now? The royals practically knocked each other over as they shuffled out of the room. Only the King, Queen, Raelor, and Kragar remained.

Raelor tilted his head at the queen. "My Queen, are you not pleased with the inquiry?"

She dismissed him with a flick of her fingers. She left her throne and moved toward Mateo. Her steps were slow, graceful, and deadly. Her gaze scanned him from head to toe as if she had never really looked at him before. She shooed the guard from behind Mateo away .

He swallowed but refused to bow down or look away. He met her steely gaze. "Did you only now realize that I am in the room?"

With her glare on Mateo, she uttered, "The lift of the brow, the tapping of the foot." She turned and addressed the King and Raelor. "The dark hair, the gray eyes. Even the physique."

The King sidled forward. He studied Mateo as if picking him apart. "It is not possible."

"Is it not?" The High Queen faced Raelor. "Possible? You yourself said she never really quite fit."

Mateo's thoughts collided like a storm, a mental scramble to process what they were saying. She Avalynn? Fit what? "What are you all talking about?"

The witch took slow steps around Mateo but ignored his question. "I can test it if you would like, my Queen," Raelor said.

"I would like."

Was the witch about to spell him? And why were they staring at him like that? His leg bounced. If he got up, could he dart out of the room before being caught?

Kragar slammed his thick hands on Mateo's shoulders and squeezed. "Oh no, you don't."

Raelor grabbed Mateo's arm, pushed up his sleeve, and raked his long nail across his skin. "Hey!" A line of blood thickened. "What is this?" Mateo tried to squirm out of Kragar's grasp as the blood oozed down his arm. "Why did you do that?"

The witch took the queen's arm and did the same. With a swipe of his finger, he scooped a dollop of her blood and placed it on his tongue, then did the same with Mateo's blood.

Mateo shivered as pinpricks raced down his spine. He had heard of the ancient procedure for testing lineage, but why were they doing it to him and the High Queen?

Raelor's eyes widened as he swirled the blood in his mouth and then swallowed. He blinked. He studied Mateo before turning to face the High King and High Queen. He tipped his head. "High King and High Queen, this"—he indicated Mateo with a deep bow—"is your son."