23. Unexpected News

Chapter 23

Unexpected News

Blackscar castle was not what I'd been expecting when I'd thought of an elf city. Maybe I should have been expecting something big, dark, scary, and battered by war, though, considering the fortress sat so close to the border with Galinaes. It looked as if gray stones comprised the walls surrounding the castle, but smoke and soot had blackened everything, giving the place an ominous appearance. The only thing missing were heavy storm clouds and a murder of crows perched on the nearby signposts.

And yet, it wasn't an overly depressing sight. We passed by a small nearby village that was a bloom of colors as people had set up stalls for a market. There were carts full of fresh produce, booths draped with yards of colorful fabric, tables laden with hand-carved and painted children's toys. People were out shopping and chatting. Children were darting among the adults, shouting and laughing. It was as if they didn't notice that black shadow of a castle looming over them. Or they'd gotten accustomed to it.

"Don't let the fortress scare you," Nylian whispered into my ear, startling me.

"What?" I jerked my head around to find a weak half smile on his lips. We'd been on the road south to Blackscar for over two weeks. Every time we took a break, Nylian would teach me more about swordplay. I was still a far way off from being any good, but I at least was in less danger of stabbing myself. Yet, every day that we got closer to our destination, Nylian's mood wilted more. He smiled a little less, laughed a little less, and held me tighter each night as we lay by the fire.

He said he trusted his uncle, but I wasn't convinced. Yes, we had to come to Blackscar to get the information we needed, but my only goals were to protect Nylian and get him safely out of the city. I didn't give a shit if this guy was Nylian's uncle, brother to the king, or whatever. I wouldn't let him harm a hair on my elf's head.

"Blackscar isn't a normal city for Wolfrest," he stated. He bumped his shoulder into mine as we wove our way through the market to the castle. "Just in case you were comparing it to what you saw in Ulmenor. My people built Blackscar fortress as a stronghold to base our western army to repel attacks by Galinaes. We never intended it to be a town long term. It was my great-uncle's creation. His thought was that one day Wolfrest would conquer Galinaes, and Blackscar wouldn't be needed anymore. We would tear it down and use its bricks to build a proper, elegant town worthy of the people of Wolfrest."

"Except Galinaes still stands," Adeline pointed out from where she was walking on the other side of Nylian.

Nylian grunted. "True, and I'm of the belief that it would be best if we remained two separate countries. Our ideals are far too different for us to be successfully merged ever again."

I waved one hand at the surrounding market. "But the town…"

"It grew up to serve the soldiers and their families as they came to be stationed here longer than expected. The town of Blackscar remains small, so they can all fit inside the walls of the fortress if there is an attack."

My mouth opened to ask how long it had been since the last attack on the castle, but the words became lodged in my throat when I noticed what looked to be a full squad of soldiers in gleaming green armor that winked and shone as brightly as glass. They marched toward us with spears pointed at the clear blue sky.

"Umm…Your Highness…" Jasper's thin voice wavered, and I thought I saw the wizard dart behind me while Binx squeaked as he moved to somewhere safer on Jasper's body.

"Relax. It'll be okay," Nylian murmured as he took a step forward, moving in front of our group. He held his long, elegant hands up before his chest with his palms out.

The leader of the squad barked an order I didn't quite catch, but it didn't matter. The soldiers rushed forward and circled us, their spears now leveled at our chests, leaving no room for escape. My heart skyrocketed into my dry throat while my hand itched to reach for the sword on my back. Not that it would have been a good idea in the slightest. We were outnumbered by more than two to one, and my sword skills still needed a lot of help.

"Nylian—" I bit out between clenched teeth.

"By order of Duke Thallan Elrich, you are under arrest for illegally entering the Kingdom of Wolfrest and disobeying the king's order that banished you from these lands," the head of the guard announced in a loud, ringing voice.

The people who'd been shopping scurried off as the soldiers surrounded us. A gasp of horror rose from them now as they realized who was with us. Goody. I was now a pariah in Wolfrest.

"At ease, sergeant," Nylian replied in a calm voice. "We have no intention of fighting you. We will go peacefully before the duke." He reached out his hand and placed it on my shoulder, squeezing just tight enough to force muscles to untense. I frowned at him, inspecting his face for any signs of fear or anger, but there weren't. Sadness filled his eyes, but he gave no indication that he was worried or afraid for our lives.

The sergeant barked another sharp order, and the spears were pointed upward again while the soldiers closed ranks. When they started toward the castle, we had no choice but to move with them or risk being trampled. None of us dared to speak as we walked. The black castle walls loomed ahead of us, the scars and gouges in the stout walls growing more prominent with every step. A wide drawbridge crossed a moat in which I could only catch glimpses of murky water. I wondered if the danger was drowning in the moat under the weight of your armor or if there was something that called those dark waters home that was an even bigger threat.

Inside the walls, I found the fortress far more austere than the town with its colorful market. The stones had kept most of their gray color, but the height of the walls cast long shadows across the courtyard, creating a dreary atmosphere. We were escorted past soldiers going through training drills while others worked on armor and weapons maintenance or cared for the horses in the stables. There was a fair mix of men and women, but everyone was wearing armor or some kind of uniform. It didn't appear as if there was anyone working outside who was a servant.

As we entered the castle, most of our escorts peeled off and a fresh set of guards took over without missing a beat. The interior of the castle was more appealing, with thick rugs to guard against the coldness of the stones and colorful tapestries depicting happy forest scenes of hunts and picnics by shimmering lakes. There were curtains and elegant silver candelabras holding fat yellow candles. Not quite the richness that might be expected of a castle belonging to a member of the royal family, but still warmer than a place dedicated solely to war and ruthless battles.

Even though we were taking the scenic tour through the castle, I prepared myself to be taken to yet another dungeon with cold damp walls and flickering torches casting dancing shadows.

However, that wasn't the case this time. We climbed to the next floor and walked down a short hall to a set of double doors that opened as we approached. It was here that I spotted a couple of people who were in plain dark-blue uniforms that looked more like servants than soldiers or soldiers in training. Apparently there were servants working in the castle, but they were few and focused their attention on the needs of the duke and his family, if he had any living here with him.

"Fine. Fine. Leave us," a rough, deep voice that sounded like little more than broken gravel after a long lifetime of bellowing orders at soldiers on chilly, mist-filled fields growled.

I jerked my attention from the elegant decorations mixed with ancient weapons to the stout, broad-shouldered elf with long white hair standing in the center of the room next to a much younger elf with pale-brown hair.

The second the last soldier exited the room, and the doors closed behind him, the white-haired elf's cold exterior cracked into an expression of intense relief, and his shoulders slumped. "Nephew," he exhaled, and that single word carried what felt like a lifetime of worry and pain in it.

Nylian took three swift steps across the room and wrapped his uncle up in a tight embrace. "Uncle," he choked out, hugging him and patting him on the back. "I'm safe. Have no fear. I'm safe and I would never?—"

"No, no. None of that. I didn't believe for a fucking moment you had anything to do with what happened to Orian. Utter nonsense," the duke cut him off. He squeezed Nylian tightly once and then took him by the shoulders. With a step back, he looked over Nylian as if needing to see with his own eyes that his nephew was, in fact, safe and well.

The soldier beside the duke loudly cleared his throat and pointedly stared at me before taking a step forward and bowing. "It is an unexpected honor to have Prince Victor Montcroix visiting our town."

Oh, shit. Yes, I'm the prince. I keep forgetting. Especially since Nylian never referred to the fact that I was in Victor's body or that the rest of the world might see me as the prince.

My lips twitched into a smile, and I returned his bow with a small dip of my head. "Thank you. It's an honor for me to be here."

Yeah, that sounded as bad as it felt. This didn't feel like the place to be Victor's typical asshole self, but I also didn't know how a prince was supposed to act outside of being spoiled and entitled. Right now, all I wanted to do was grab Nylian and pull him to me, where I could more easily protect him from the unknown.

"It's okay, Uncle, Captain." Nylian left his uncle's side and gave a brief nod to the man who'd spoken as he came to stand by me. It was like he could sense my growing anxiety. "Prince Victor is with me."

"What does that even mean, Xeran?" the duke demanded, tossing his hands up in the air. "From all we know from spies, Prince Montcroix left Gushan intending to kidnap you. Now he's traveling with you? What is going on?"

"When I say that Prince Victor is with me, I mean he is with me . He is mine ," he stated, crushing those critical words between his teeth. My brain skipped at the use of Nylian's real name, but it was forgotten as a flush burned the tips of my ears and flowed to my cheeks and neck.

I leaned toward Nylian and tipped my face up so that my lips were near his ear. "Not one to mince words, are you? Couldn't even go easy on your uncle after everything that's happened?"

For the first time since we'd entered Blackscar, he flashed me a real, brilliant smile. "It's necessary to air the most important bits, so Uncle understands no one is to harm a hair on your head."

"Is this you flirting with me in front of your family?"

"No, this is me staking my claim in front of my family."

"Gods, just put me in your dungeon now," Adeline moaned. She poked her head around Nylian to look at the duke while Jasper gasped and attempted to hide farther behind me. "They have been like this nonstop for weeks of traveling on the road. If I have to hear one more ‘You're mine' or cooing over a scraped hand or a splinter, I'm going to lose my mind."

So, maybe the entire trip hadn't been about walking and learning to sword fight. Following the shift in our relationship in Ulmenor, Nylian had been decidedly more hands on with me. Not that I was complaining. The attention was heavenly. I'd never known anyone so tender or playful, and I tried to return at least some of it. Dating and being outwardly affectionate were not my strong suits, though I was learning what I could from my lover.

Of course, it all had to be quite nauseating for those stuck with us.

Things were awkward now. Not that Nylian seemed to care in the least. The Wolfrest prince threaded his fingers through mine and pulled me a step closer to where his uncle was doing his best impression of a deer trapped in a set of semi headlights.

"Prince Victor Montcroix, may I introduce you to my uncle, Duke Thallan Elrich, Guardian of the Western Border and Blackscar Fortress?"

As properly as I could manage, I pressed my right hand to my heart and bowed low to the man. Maybe even lower than I should have since I was a prince, but then this was Nylian's uncle. I was desperate to make a good impression, though that impression might have been bruised because Nylian refused to release his hold on my left hand.

"It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace."

"Uncle, this is Prince Victor Montcroix," Nylian continued when I straightened. "I know the rumors, and they don't matter. It's a long story, but the short of it is, Victor has been my friend and protector for weeks now. He has stood by me and believed me when most of the world would rather believe the worst. I won't be parted from him ever."

Thallan's piercing blue eyes locked on to my face and didn't waver for several painful heartbeats. When I was sure that he was going to declare bullshit on everything Nylian had said, he released a laughing sigh and patted his stomach. "I only wish I could be there when you tell your father that."

My elf rolled his eyes at his uncle and turned to motion to Adeline and Jasper. "Adeline and her younger brother, Jasper, have also been our traveling companions. Adeline is a skilled mercenary, and Jasper is a wizard in want of a proper mentor." Both Jasper and Adeline bowed to the duke, appearing more comfortable and agile in their movements than I could.

"And the rodent hiding in his robes?" Thallan inquired.

"That would be Master Binx, a wizard who suffered an unfortunate accident in Ulmenor." Nylian cleared his throat as if he were trying to halt a chuckle before it could trickle out. "That is another reason we need a proper mentor for Jasper."

The duke made a face that left me thinking he wished he hadn't asked. His smile was a little stiff when he nodded to Adeline and Jasper. "Welcome to Blackscar Fortress. I'm sorry it isn't for happier circumstances. I'll have Captain Elion show your companions to some comfortable rooms where they can rest up from their long journey."

The soldier who had been acting as a shadow for the duke stepped forward, holding out his arm toward the door to get us moving out of the room so the duke and his nephew could speak alone. Nylian had just released my hand, only to grasp my wrist to stop me from moving away from him.

"Wait. You have news from West Vale?" Nylian demanded, his eyes locked on his uncle.

"Yes, but this is a private matter. You can…" His words trailed off when Nylian shifted his attention to Adeline and Jasper.

"Get some rest. We'll join up for dinner and discuss our plans." Adeline and Jasper accompanied Captain Elion out of the room without another word, while Nylian continued to hold on to me as if I were his one lifeline in this world.

"Be reasonable, Xeran. He's a prince for a country that has been hostile to ours for years. You can't want to talk about family affairs in front of him," Thallan argued, holding his hands out to his nephew. He looked at me with a wince. "No offense, Your Highness."

"None taken, and I understand." I lifted the wrist Nylian refused to release and brushed my lips across the knuckles. "Your uncle is right to be hesitant. Spend some time talking with him. When you're done, you can come tell me what you think I need to know for us to continue on our journey."

"That's a waste of time. I'll repeat to you everything that Uncle tells me. It's better if you simply stay."

I turned my attention to the duke. The ball was in his court. I tried, but if Nylian wanted me at his side, that was where I was going to stay. Thallan's gaze darkened, but he relented in the end, motioning for us to move to a pale-yellow sofa and a matching set of chairs. Nylian chose the sofa and pulled me down next to him so that we were touching from hip to knee. It was only when he threaded our fingers together again that I noticed his palm had become sweaty, and his fingertips were ice cold.

Duke Thallan sat closest to Nylian in one chair. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. There was something about his stance that caused fear to clog my chest and choke off my air. This was going to be bad.

"I have some good news," Thallan stated, though his smile was strained and even the few lines around his eyes had deepened. "I've received a private message from your father." He paused and licked his lips. "Orian is still alive."

"What?" I cried out.

Nylian shook his head. "That can't be. They told me they had the ceremony. His body was turned to ash. He was returned to the dirt, trees, and water. That…that can't be…I was told…"

"I know, and I'm sorry." Thallan reached out to lay a comforting hand on Nylian's arm, but the elf flinched, leaning closer to me.

"I don't understand," he said sharply, and my heart broke for him. His reaction seemed cold, but Nylian had spent the past few months grieving the loss of his beloved brother and suffering under the tremendous weight of being accused of murder. Hearing such good news didn't erase all that pain.

"Orian is alive, but only just barely," Thallan continued. He sat back in his chair, dropping his hands into his lap. "The royal healers and wizards halted the progression of the poison, keeping it from killing him, but he's held in a magical field where time has been slowed to a crawl. They've identified the poison, but still need the antidote to cure him, and time is running out. The healers estimate Orian has a month, maybe two, until the poison claims him."

Nylian sat for more than a minute with his eyes closed. His hand was so icy in mine and a fine trembling had gripped it, forcing me to cover his hand with my other one. His breathing grew ragged, but with time, it evened out as if he were gaining control over his emotions. My heart broke for him. I wanted to drag him out of Blackscar castle and away from all of this insanity, but there was no leaving. Not yet. Nylian was expected to locate this antidote so he could save his twin brother.

"What's the poison? Where did it come from?" Nylian asked, his voice a tight whisper.

"The poison is called Widow's Spite, and only one person makes it in all of Lockeheim—the King's Royal Poison Maker, Duchess Helena Covington. She's the one person who can make it because she's the only person trained to handle the black-winged cobra."

I squeezed my eyes shut and swallowed hard against the bile that shot up my throat. Oh, this one was my fault. I remembered creating Widow's Spite. It was late one night, and I'd been high on way too many shots of espresso and chocolate cake.

What could be worse than a lightning-fast and deadly snake? Let's give the fucker wings.

God, I was such an asshole. I'd never thought that one day I would need to face these slithering nightmares.

"Lockeheim. I should have headed in that direction from the very start," Nylian muttered. "Lady Helena makes every vial of Widow's Spite. She'll also know where every drop has gone. She'll be able to tell us who from Wolfrest acquired the poison."

"That's the hope," Thallan agreed. "Since you were banished, your father has been conducting a thorough search of West Vale for any clue as to who handled the poison or how it was even acquired."

"Something as rare as Widow's Spite wouldn't be cheap," I observed, and immediately bit my tongue. I didn't want the duke or even Nylian to think that I was pointing fingers at other members of the royal family. Yet, they would be just about the only people who had the money to afford a poison like that.

"You're right," Thallan stated, enabling me to breathe again. "It's why the king sent Prince Xeran away. He never believed that he attempted to kill Orian. Getting him out of West Vale was the only way to protect him from whoever was striking at his sons."

"I'm sure he also knew I would do anything to get revenge on whoever dared to harm Orian," Nylian ground out between his teeth.

Thallan grunted, not bothering to deny such a guess. "That's why your father and Orian are counting on you now to retrieve the antidote and the truth of who tried to kill your brother. He can't send a diplomat without causing an incident. It's better if this is all handled in secret. If word reaches Lady Helena that we've identified the poison, she could run, destroy all the antidotes, or even destroy what evidence remains of who she gave the poison to."

"Understood." Nylian pushed to his feet, leaving the duke and me to follow a second later. "We'll take two days to rest here and replenish our supplies. Adeline might choose to leave her brother here with you. Lockeheim will be too dangerous for him. I want you to find a wizard to mentor him."

"I'll protect him like he's my own son, but there are no wizards in the immediate area. Any around here would be specialized in farming spells and nothing more."

Nylian shook his head. "Then send him to West Vale. Escort him there personally, if you must. I promised Jasper and Adeline that he would be trained properly, and I will not break that promise to them. She's saved my life more times than I care to think about."

"As you wish." The tighter Nylian's voice became, the more cautious Thallan's tone grew. Even though Nylian had no expression on his face, there were signs of tension at the corners of his eyes and mouth that convinced me he was barely holding it together. He needed somewhere safe where he could deal with his emotions, and soon, rather than bottling them up and shoving them down where they could bubble and boil into a toxic brew that ate away at his soul.

"Your Grace, could you have someone show us to a room where we can sleep? Possibly have a tray of food sent up? I don't think I am up for socializing this evening. I'm sure you understand," I interjected with a bright smile while placing a hand on Nylian's too-stiff shoulder.

"Of course." The duke bowed to me and turned toward Nylian. "Nephew, please get some rest. If you need anything, I am at your disposal."

Nylian didn't say a word. He managed one small nod and swept out of the room, not even waiting for a servant to guide us.

The elf was a ticking time bomb.