36. Chapter 36

Chapter 36

A n impassive mask slipped over Caelus's face.

A man around my age bounded down the steps two at a time, ignoring the shouts behind him. A cloak billowed around him in the sunburst orange of the royal family. Dawn light pouring in through the tunnel haloed him with each step down.

He stopped in front of Caelus and me.

Unsure of what to do, I bowed.

The prince laughed and said, "That's unnecessary, Tempest."

I cleared my throat and straightened.

Caelus took up a position beside me. "Prince Alpheus. How unexpected," he said, tone dry.

I glanced at him, unsure of what to make of the prince's presence and Caelus's familiar tone. The two shared an indignant look, and I began to wonder if they didn't like one another.

"I was informed by a mutual friend of your situation," Prince Alpheus said. "Thought it best to pay a visit."

I rolled my eyes.

It shouldn't have annoyed me that the prince wouldn't divulge information in the company of a stranger, but I was tired of secrets.

He gestured up the steps. "But let's get out of this putrid cave, shall we?"

I nodded, and Caelus and I trailed after him.

The exit of the cave mouth had two guards stationed on each side. The surrounding forest was filled with guards on horseback garbed in the royal crest—a rising sun.

Selena, Malik, and his group of guild mates shifted their feet and busied themselves with their horses. Among them was Teeg. He laughed at something Selena said, and I smiled, tears rimming my eyes. The fact that he could laugh after everything he'd been through and seen was a miracle of the gods. With him safe and Klareth gone, joining the guild might not be so bad.

Seven Abyss wolves lay dead, along with people I didn't recognize. The Copper Jackals' night had been arduous in their efforts to get to me and Teeg. I said a quick prayer to Thanally for each dead guild member.

Prince Alpheus headed for his retinue of guards, but I headed for the Copper Jackals.

Malik shot me his signature piercing look, but I didn't care what he thought of me running off on my own. Without him, I'd found Teeg, and it was admittedly thanks to his efforts that Teeg got to safety.

Teeg beamed up at me, pushing past Selena and another woman—the one I'd healed so long ago. I knelt and wrapped my arms around him. He squeezed me and sent a shooting pain through my sore rib cage.

"Did you beat that monster?" he asked.

I squeezed him back. "Yeah. There's nothing to worry about. We'll go home and see Marus, okay?"

His grin grew wider, and he returned to Selena.

"You reckless girl!" Esteban ground out behind me. He pulled me into a tight embrace, and I yelped in surprise.

His warm whiskey scent enveloped me. A heaviness lifted from my chest and renewed fatigue settled in. "Don't ever do that again," he whispered.

"I'll do my best," I promised.

Esteban pulled away, meeting my eyes. "Selena told us what happened. You did good, girl." He patted my shoulder before walking off to join Malik and the others. I pushed myself up, and my eyes met Caelus's. He was speaking to the prince, probably informing him of what had happened.

The prince caught the direction of his gaze and turned to face me, grinning. He waved his hand for me to come forward. Knowing better than to defy the wants of the Crown Prince, I obeyed.

I stopped a few feet from where the two of them stood. In the growing light of the morning, Alpheus was handsome, with a strong jaw and gold-flecked eyes. The rays of dawn seemed to be drawn to him, leaving him bright and warm. I wondered if it was an effect of the blessing of the Sunburst Throne.

"I hear you slew a labryn. Excellent work."

"It almost killed me," I said, truthfully. It wasn't as though it'd been a pleasure or easy. Adrenaline fueled most of my actions.

"Eira is skilled when the moment is right," Caelus supplied.

I shot him a glare, but he didn't seem to notice.

The prince, however, did, his eyes darting between us. Prince Alpheus's smile fell a fraction.

"You must have traveled quite the distance to arrive in time to offer assistance," I said.

"Ordinarily, yes. The Refulgent is to thank for our hasty arrival."

Before I could ask how, he gestured to Caelus. "He tells me he assisted you in your search for the Golden Child. Is that correct?"

I glanced at Caelus, but he still wore that emotionless mask. "He did."

"And Lord Ebonhammer and Lord Whistlemane have been killed or injured, respectively?"

My muscles stiffened. "What are you implying?"

A thoughtful look passed over his features. "It could be seen as treasonous to some, Divine or otherwise."

"As I'm currently unsure of all the information you've been given, Prince Alpheus, Travok was eating children to gain their youth. His death isn't regrettable, but I had nothing to do with it. As for Lord Whistlemane"—I took a step back and gestured to the gnome resting against a rock, drinking water—"he can confirm that neither I nor my companions were involved in harming him."

Stumbleduck shouted, "Unhand me or you'll see your dungeons gone up in smoke next! You fools can't even prove anything. Whose word are you listening to?"

The guards said nothing against his protest. They tugged Esteban along beside Stumbleduck. Esteban gave the prince a seething look before the two of them were shoved into a carriage, hands restrained behind them.

My lightning was nothing more than a buzz at the sight, completely drained. "They had nothing to do with Travok Ebonhammer's death. Release them."

The prince smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Forgive me. I believe you, personally, are not responsible for Travok Ebonhammer. Unfortunately, it is out of my hands whether they go free." He held up his hands in feigned innocence. "Their capture and return to Ryseer comes from the king. You'll have to discuss it with my father."

I turned back to the carriage and spotted Teeg sleeping in Selena's arms. He would be safe with them. Malik and Selena would see to it.

I faced Caelus and Prince Alpheus again. Caelus's lips were pressed thin, and the prince appeared displeased by the situation at hand. He could be an ally.

"How might I gain an audience with King Olbecht?" I asked.

"That should be simple enough, Lady Eira Quinn. You're to become my wife and queen of Valaryn. You shall be able to gain an audience with him nearly any time you wish."

My heart pounded in my ears and my mouth fell open. That couldn't be. I'd just gotten my freedom. Now I was going to be caged to the Sunburst castle by a marriage I didn't want.

A deep, throaty laugh sounded behind me—the one I'd heard when I touched the body marked with a seven-pointed star.

I turned, and a silhouette of jade flame stalked toward me. The green fire parted enough to make out the sharp features of a fey man. Sweat coated my palms and the back of my neck. I took a step back, colliding with a hard chest. Shrieking erupted around me. Dread and terror flowed from the flame, and a weight filled my chest.

A hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back. But the flame grabbed my other arm, yanking me into it. The fire didn't burn, but another hand found my back, and a scream tore through my throat. Clothes and flesh burned. I writhed and jerked, trying to free myself. The pain was too much. My entire body boiled from the inside out, and a deep, gritty voice broke through my mind.

You've interfered enough, Tempest. Time to make your soul mine.

To be continued . . .