Chapter 32

Calen

“Follow my lead,” I whisper as Vesta and I step onto a major artery of Nyths.

A group of soldiers turns the corner, heading straight towards us.

Vesta’s breath quickens when I stomp towards them. The tallest of the lot notices, and his dark eyes narrow.

When we’re within hearing distance, the two Fae flanking him lower a hand to the weapons on their belts.

The woman’s neck is blacked out under an unidentifiable tattoo, making it look like her head rests directly on her wide shoulders. I eye the design, trying to make out what it could be. Crows and chains, maybe, though part of it could be the head of a snake. Her crooked nose and yellowed teeth add a particularly welcoming touch to the look.

Upon closer inspection, her counterpart doesn’t offer much solace. With long, thin hair falling on either side of his wrinkled face, hallowed cheeks, and sunken lifeless eyes, he is as cheerful as a graveyard. He’s frankly repulsive, but that doesn’t stop him from studying Vesta greedily.

I bare my teeth when the walking corpse of a solider has the audacity to let his gaze wander her neckline.

“Soldiers.” I muster as much condescension as I can. “What is the meaning of all this agitation?”

I wrinkle my nose slightly as I eye them up and down.

“We’re making our rounds,” the tall Fae explains.

I don’t respond immediately, letting an uncomfortable silence settle.

“My Lord,” he adds hesitantly.

“Quite a boisterous endeavor, wouldn’t you say?” I turn to Vesta as I roll my eyes. “A disturbance to guests attempting to enjoy the capital of our great King.”

“Indeed, this is ridiculous.” She gathers her skirts with a huff. “Far less enjoyable than I would have imagined. Let’s go.”

“Of course, dear.”

She grabs my forearm and we stroll in the direction of the palace without another word to the soldiers.

Once we’ve walked past several groups of soldiers unbothered, Vesta’s shoulders relax.

“Dear?” She’s the first to break our silence, her lips pinched tightly.

“Would you have preferred ‘my lady?’”

She doesn’t respond, but her steps accelerate slightly.

“‘Dove,’ maybe?”

Sweet victory coats my tongue when her breath hitches in her throat. I know I shouldn’t revel in this pettiness, but she fakes her indifference so well, sometimes I wonder if she even remembers our nights together.

The massive stone wall surrounding the palace appears at the end of the main street. Its hideous doors stand wide open to let units in and out of the grounds. The agitation might finally prove useful to us by helping us walk in unnoticed.

Everyone is so busy following orders and looking for Az and Ela that no one questions our late return.

I let out a breath in relief when the palace door is in sight, and Vesta’s hold on my arm loosens, ready to discard it the moment we step inside.

The castle’s entrance is only a few steps away when the massive door swings on its hinges.

A familiar dark-haired prince greets us with a cold smile, stopping on the doorstep of his home and blocking the way.

“Your Highness.” I keep my features neutral as I greet him with a polite nod. The ruffles of Vesta’s dress confirm she bows beside me.

“Isn’t it cold for a night stroll, General?” His gaze travels to Vesta’s forearms, covered in goosebumps.

“We were hoping to discover some of the many distractions Nyths has to offer.”

“Tonight, of all nights.” He looks around the courtyard, taking in the mass of soldiers swarming the grounds.

I tilt my head to follow his glance. “What’s happening?”

“Why the sudden interest in our affairs?”

“I’m merely striving to show my worth as an ally. We can help.”

“As far as I’m concerned, your loyalty remains to be proven.”

“I thought that putting the lives of Lóna on the line for our King would warrant at least a sliver of trust on your part.”

“Trust is earned.”

“Indeed,” I respond, not missing a beat.

“You left our side awfully quickly earlier today. I wonder what for.”

We lock eyes as his question rings in the air, unanswered.

“I don’t appreciate whatever it is you’re insinuating,” I say with a growl.

“Were you not caught wandering Nyths after dark, I wouldn’t need to insinuate anything.”

I remain silent and look around the courtyard, keeping my heart rate steady. Soldiers are being dispatched, their orders barked loudly, although the suspects are never named.

“Who are you looking for?” I ask, cocking a brow.

“No one you should trouble yourself with.”

“Considering what I’m about to do, this sounds like something I definitely should trouble myself with.”

A cold smile forms on my lips while his remain pinched. He holds impressive control over his emotions, but tonight his anger betrays him. I seize the opportunity.

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with our late High Lord, would it?”

Nylren’s eyes flicker at my words. “We have everything under control.”

“Like hell you do,” I spit out.

I turn to Vesta, whose gaze is fixed on Nylren, panic inhabiting her irises.

My head snaps back towards the prince when his snarl reaches my ears.

“Do you really wish to begin our alliance by insulting King Airdan in his own home? By all means, I’ll lead the way to his chambers so you can try that to his face.”

He bares his teeth at me, offering the most overt display of emotions I’ve ever seen from him.

Vesta’s hand closes around my arm, and I take a deep breath before meeting Nylren’s gaze again.

Appeased by the show we’re putting on, his cold mask is back on.

“You focus on keeping your promises, and we’ll keep ours,” he adds.

“We’re on our way to do exactly that.”

Nylren nods before stepping aside to let us in.

“Give my best to your father. We’ll send word as soon as we reach Lóna.”

The first break of day on the horizon doesn’t bring calm to Nyths. Soldiers patrol the capital with renewed vigor. Hooves hit the paved street as units gallop from one point to the other, barking orders and knocking on doors. Citizens are stirred from sleep regardless of their status and pulled out of their homes to allow guards to search the buildings.

I keep my focus on the city gates ahead, Vesta and our escort in tow on their mounts.

We’re forced to a halt when half a dozen soldiers block our path.

“Hold up.” A burly Fae with several insignias on his jacket steps in front of my horse. “Step down your mounts. No one is to leave Nyths without permission from the King.”

I stare him down, but he doesn’t break eye contact.

“Who do you think you’re talking to, guard? It sure as hell can’t be me.”

I bare my teeth at him when his hand lowers to the axe on his side.

“I’m talking to you, pretty boy.”

A dark chuckle tears from my throat as I shake my head, silently assessing our options.

“Either you get down, or we make you.” A blond soldier behind the captain steps closer, a mean rictus on her face.

I’m off the horse and face to face with the captain in the blink of an eye, the tip of my knife an inch from his veiny throat. His eyes widen almost imperceptibly, but my gaze lands on the soldier behind him.

“Come near me, soldier, and it will be the last thing you do.”

She has the intelligence to freeze and appear slightly alarmed.

“What is your name, soldier?” I return my focus to their captain.

“Lhoris, my lord.” His throat bobs again my blade as he gulps down his saliva.

“I hope I see you upon my return to Nyths, Lhoris.” The knife digs into his skin just enough to draw a drop of blood. “I’ll be sure to mention our interaction to King Airdan over dinner.”

I’m back on my horse in seconds, digging my heels into its sides.

“Open the gates.”

Lhoris barks orders, and we’re out of this wretched city a heartbeat later.