36. Chapter 36

thirty-six

N evander’s mind raced, panic clawing at his chest. Kallessa was out there alone, heading straight into a snake pit. What if she was attacked on the road? Or at an inn? Could she even take care of herself?

He glanced at Ciana, still comforting the sniffling Dovina. His sister had endured a loveless marriage that left her and Wynna scarred. Of course, she’d want to protect others from that fate. Even if it meant defending this ridiculous, self-centered girl who’d put Kallessa in danger.

Nevander huffed, resuming his pacing.

“I believe that part of the carpet has had enough,” a weak voice rasped from the doorway. Castien leaned heavily against the frame, pale and bruised. His left eye was nearly swollen shut, a stark purple against his ashen face. He wore a navy blue tunic and trousers, his dark hair combed back, but he had discarded the coat and woolen cap.

Nevander stopped abruptly. “Oh, so now the entire group is here, the party can start.”

Dovina gasped, hastily wiping her eyes. She sat up straighter, her face a mask of shock and embarrassment. If Nevander had known Castien’s presence would shut her up so effectively, he would have dragged him into the parlor half an hour ago .

Castien limped in and collapsed heavily onto the couch. Moments later, a maid entered, her arms laden down with a large tray bearing an assortment of cut fruit, various cheeses, and savory scones still warm from the oven. She was followed closely by another maid carrying a steaming teapot and a set of delicate porcelain cups.

As they withdrew, Castien grabbed a scone, stuffing it into his mouth. “Now the party can start,” he mumbled, crumbs falling to the carpet. He poured himself a cup of steaming tea and splashed cream into it before gulping it down behind the scone. Then he piled a small plate with cheeses and biscuits.

Nevander stared, shocked. Castien had eaten more in this sitting than the entire time he’d been at Ravenbluff.

“Tell me what’s going on,” Castien demanded between bites.

Dovina, her cheeks now dry, opened her mouth to speak.

“Not you.” Castien pointed at her with a wedge of cheese. “Ciana, you are usually the most logical. Explain.”

As Ciana recounted the events, Nevander’s stomach churned. How could he have let Kallessa go?

Castien pointed at Nevander. “You’re an idiot. I can’t believe you let Kallessa go without a fight.”

Nevander caught Ciana nodding and rounded on her. “You told me to forget her!”

“Since when do you listen to me?” Ciana quipped back. Dovina had gone silent, her eyes darting back and forth between them.

“And you,” Nevander stared pointedly at Castien, “were beaten into unconsciousness. Remember that part?”

“Quiet,” Castien hissed. “I’m the highest rank here now. Nevander, you and Dovina will go after Kallessa. Ciana, stay and help me keep Father from doing anything rash. It’s two hours until sunrise. I will have everything ready for you to travel in an hour. Nevander, go get some breakfast and coffee. Dovina, go get yourself cleaned up. You look like a wreck.”

Nevander’s jaw clenched. He’d been planning to go after Kallessa anyway, prince’s orders or not. The thought of her out there alone, frightened and vulnerable, made his chest ache.

As he reached the threshold, Castien called back to him.

“Van, send Declan this way and find me another maid. I need more food.”

Nevander shook his head and fled the room.

An hour later, Nevander stood in the stables, checking the straps on Malecore, Castien’s ill-tempered stallion. The beast nipped his arm, and Nevander popped its head lightly. “Knock it off.”

Dovina’s whining drifted from the next stall. “I can’t ride straight saddle. It will ruin my skirts.”

“It’s the prince’s orders, my lady,” the stable boy replied firmly.

Nevander led Malecore out, the horse’s hooves clopping loudly on the stone floor, passing Dovina and her gentler mount. Four soldiers waited outside.

“I don’t know why we can’t take the carriage,” Dovina pouted.

Nevander’s jaw clenched. How could anyone be so selfish? He took a deep breath. “We don’t have time. The horses are faster.”

The blush of dawn painted the horizon as they set out. An owl’s hoot transported Nevander back to his first sight of Kallessa–pale with motion sickness, yet the loveliest woman he’d ever seen.

Where was she now?

They rode in silence for two hours before Nevander finally acknowledged Dovina’s pleading looks and stopped at a brook. Dovina dismounted with a groan. “I hate riding horseback. I don’t understand why Kallessa always enjoyed it so much.”

Dovina was everything that Kallessa was not, and it grated on his nerves. “What is your father like?”

Dovina was silent for a long time. “May I please ask you a question first?”

That was probably the most polite thing she’d ever said to him. Nevander nodded.

She brushed her blond curls from her eyes. “Are you a just prince? I-I don’t know much about you, even though I read everything about the king and queen and the crown prince. But I know next to nothing about Prince Nevander.”

He didn’t want to share himself with this girl, but he answered her nonetheless. “I am just.” He’d been just on the battlefield, holding only onto his integrity when all else had crumbled around him.

Dovina nodded solemnly. “Then maybe you will understand. My father is just.” She paused, then asked, “Are you kind? As a ruler, I mean.”

Nevander considered. He strived to take others’ perspectives into account, never seeking to harm for selfish gain. “I am kind,” he affirmed.

Dovina stared down the winding road, her expression unreadable. After a heavy pause, she spoke, her voice laced with a bitterness that seemed ill-fitting for one so young. “My father is not.”