Chapter 19

19

T he festivities in Zheka were audible from miles away as the Day Realm celebrated the announcement of the little princess. Other than Izidora, who was believed by most to be dead within a few years of her birth and kidnapping, a royal babe had not been born in over a century.

That fact was no longer true, given that Ruslan was King Azim’s son. But he was a bastard and usurper, and an illegitimate monarch in my eyes. And a mongrel to top it all off.

Day Fae raced in every direction like golden blurs, already in full celebration despite the fact that their princess would not make an appearance until late evening. After far too long spent on the road, Endre, Viktor, and myself were arriving just in time for the announcement. The Night Crown perched atop my brow, and as the diamonds glittered in the sunlight, attention fell over me exactly as I deserved. I was a fucking monarch on this continent, and it was nice to finally see some of the other Fae acknowledge that.

Whispers behind hands started while we were on the outskirts of the city, and by the time we had ridden halfway into town, a legion of spear-wielding warriors waited to greet us. Yanking on Fek’s reins until he halted, I waited for the Day Realm’s soldiers to speak. A blanket of silence fell over the onlookers, and I stole a glance at both of my friends.

“King Kazimir of the Night Realm, please follow us,” the male standing front and center said, his deep voice booming out around us. His legion split in half, allowing us to pass through, and once again, we were surrounded by foreign soldiers.

I gritted my teeth but plastered on a smile, nodding to the Fae around me like our armed escort did not bother me in the slightest. We were herded directly toward Aress Keep, the shade of the giant tree in the center casting dappled light on all the buildings surrounding it. But instead of walking through the front entrance, we were directed around to the side and shuffled into a small courtyard where more soldiers waited.

There was no sign of Queen Viktoria or King Consort Geza. Instead, High Lord Domon, who had traveled with us to Béke, waited, arms crossed over his broad chest.

“King Kazimir, High Lords,” he dipped his head the barest amount in greeting. The slight didn’t go unnoticed. “I’m here to show you to your accommodation. I’m sure you’ll want to wash up before the festivities.” His dark eyes raked over us, his expression betraying nothing. The golden braided locks of his hair tumbled down his back as he spun on his heel, retreating out of the sun and into the covered walkways of Aress Keep.

Endre, Viktor, and I dismounted, leaving our horses drifting in the courtyard as we hefted our bags and followed the Day Realm’s High Lord. We didn’t have to travel far before he opened a door, revealing a small room with one adjacent bathroom. He ushered us inside, hovering in the doorway as our bags hit the ground in three successive thumps.

“Unfortunately, this is the only room available. We didn’t know you would be coming, and my queen sends her apologies. Please knock on the door when you are ready to leave.” With that, he shut it, and a lock clicked behind him before his footsteps retreated, only to be replaced by two more sets of them.

“Fucking Fates,” I swore, balling my hands into fists and punching the nearest wall. Pain laced across my knuckles, but I shoved it away. We’d not even had a chance to speak, and it was clear this would be an uphill battle.

Viktor and Endre whispered furiously behind me, and I spun on them, ready to lash out at something – someone. “What?” I snapped, nails curling into my palms.

Endre glanced at Viktor, raising an eyebrow like he should be the one to speak. Smoothing his hair, Viktor said, “I didn’t think we’d have this much issue, but Endre disagrees and says we should have expected nothing less.”

“I am a monarch on this continent, and I will be treated as such,” I hissed out, and my friends flinched, agreeing with my assessment.

Endre raised both his hands slowly, sweeping one to the side in the direction of our en suite bathroom – if it could be called that. “Why don’t you bathe first? It’s been a long ride, and maybe Viktor and I can speak with High Lord Domon in the meantime, sort it all out.”

Dragging a hand over my face, I nodded. “Fine, see what you can do.” I stalked to the miniscule chamber, shutting the door behind me and facing the mirror. Dirt crusted every inch of visible skin, and my scruff had turned into a full beard in the months we’d been on the road. The look suited me, though, making me appear older and more intimidating. Perhaps I’d keep it.

Grumbling, I turned the taps on the bathtub, resigned to bathing rather than showering in the basic space with limited amenities.

More likely a room used for servants and not visiting nobility.

The thought had me clenching my teeth again. How dare they insult me in such a way.

As I sank into the tub, I grabbed a bar of soap and a scrubber from the shelf beside it and began removing layer upon layer of grime accumulated on the dusty roads of the Day Realm. The water was nearly brown by the time I finished, and I let it drain. I hoped the swirling water would suck the Day Realm’s monarch’s affront down with it.

It didn’t.

My mind drifted as I watched fresh water pour into the tub from the curved pipes.

Did Izidora still sleep? Would she be here if she had awoken?

The questions plagued me during my second bath, and it wasn’t until the tub drained again that I let them go down with it. It mattered not; she had chosen Ruslan, but she would see she had chosen wrong soon enough.

Endre and Viktor sat on the floor in our shared room by the time I returned, both too dirty to perch on the wicker furniture. In nothing but a towel, I stood before them, crossing my arms over my chest. “What did you accomplish?”

Viktor cut his eyes to me before pushing to his feet. “Nothing. They really are that full, apparently. But the Crystal Realm is here in force – wives, children, extended family of the nobility.” He shrugged then walked past me and shut the bathroom door behind him without waiting for me to say anything. Irritation crawled across my shoulders, but I blew out a breath and looked to Endre, who hadn’t moved from his position on the floor.

“What about the Iron Realm?”

“The soldiers wouldn’t say,” he replied, his voice tight. A muscle ticked in his jaw, but I ignored it and rummaged in my bags for fresh clothes. I’d stuffed a set deep into the leather to keep clean for this very day. After all, it was a special one. One by one, I shook out the tunic, pants, undergarments, and vest, then laid them across the bed in hopes that they’d unwrinkle before I needed to wear them.

Since I was at least clean, I selected one of the chairs and propped my feet on a small table while Endre and Viktor took their turns in the bathroom. Running my fingers through my thick beard, I reviewed every aspect of my perfectly hatched plan. As my friends readied themselves to depart, I finally shoved up from my seat and surveyed my clothes.

In a flick of annoyance, I snapped out each garment to force its wrinkles into submission and then shoved the fabric onto my body. Jerking everything into place, I stepped past Endre and Viktor to observe myself in the full-length mirror propped against one wall. My two friends were oblivious to my intentions, and while I had reconsidered this course of action from time to time, the way the other realms had treated me solidified my decision.

They’d all see they fucked with the wrong monarch.