“What do you mean?” Holfast asked.

“I can create a portal between here and Grelta. It’s as easy as stepping through a doorway.”

“You can . . . create a doorway between two places?” asked Fenir, arching a dark eyebrow. “I wasn’t aware faeries had that kind of magic.”

“We don’t,” said Keshel. “Only Marai. She’s . . . unusual.”

Nosficio stared at Marai openly. Ruenen saw a flash of surprise in the vampire’s eyes, but it was gone when Holfast continued to speak.

“You can safely transport multiple people in this portal?”

Marai nodded. “Prince Ruenen and I have crossed the threshold between space several times together.” She glanced at him and heat crept across Ruenen’s skin. “And I brought all of my people through the door when we arrived here. It’s quite safe.”

“Sounds unholy, to me . . .” whispered a councilman snidely to another.

“The North will know, then, that we’re housing magical creatures,” Vorae said. “If we reveal the fae, they may refuse to work with us.”

Nosficio cleared his throat. “The queen is more open-minded than you give her credit for. She’ll be intrigued by Lady Marai’s magic, not disgusted, as many of you so plainly are.”

Vorae and Fenir shot the vampire a seething glance, which Nosficio basked in like the sun he never could.

“Lord Goso, you must accompany His Highness,” said Holfast. Goso bowed his head in agreement. “Commander Avilyard, we will also require several of your men for added protection.”

“Yes, my lord, I shall pick my best in the King’s Guard. Since Lady Marai will be present, I’m certain the prince will be well-protected under her watchful eye and skillful hands,” Avilyard said.

Ruenen snapped his head towards Avilyard. Since when had the Nevandian commander seen Marai at work? Although, she did have very skilled hands . . .

“Your Highness should compose a response to Queen Nieve, stating you’ll be there in a week,” said Holfast.

“Tomorrow evening,” Nosficio retorted.

“That doesn’t give our courier enough time to deliver the letter,” Holfast said dryly.

“I’ll take it, then,” Nosficio said, receiving murmurs and grimaces from the Witan. “I am, after all, fleet-footed, as His Highness aptly said. If I leave soon, I can get to Grelta by morning, and Nieve will have time to prepare for your arrival without making too much of a fuss.”

“How can we trust you?” asked Vorae through squinted, judgmental eyes.

“You don’t have much of a choice, Honorable Councilman,” Nosficio said with a slick smile.

Ruenen didn’t miss the sarcasm. He glanced at Holfast, who sighed through his nose, then produced a piece of blank paper from the pile on the table. He guided Ruenen through the response, as the rest of the Witan chimed in with suggestions. When finished, he handed Ruenen a stick of green wax and a heavy, royal Nevandian seal. It was a proper letter this time, unlike the note he’d scratched out to Nieve in the woods.

Ruenen stood and walked to Nosficio. He handed over the letter, giving the vampire his most stern expression. “We’re trusting you with our lives, Lord Nosficio. Please ensure it arrives safely in Queen Nieve’s hands.”

Nosficio grinned, showing all his treacherous teeth. “I swear.” He tucked the letter into his vest. “I’ve also come today with news and a warning.”

What now? Ruenen rubbed at his temples; a headache began to build. The room was stifling. He needed air.

“You have an unwanted visitor on your lands,” Nosficio said, face growing serious. At the confusion from the Witan, Nosficio leaned forward in his chair. “I spotted it last night near the Dale: a creature of darkness.”

Vorae waved him off. “Excellent, let’s befriend it! We’re already doing that with every other unholy creature on this continent. What is it this time?”

Nosficio’s intense gaze shot to him. “This creature isn’t like the rest of us. I don’t know what it is or where it came from, but it’s not supposed to be here. It already attacked a farmer’s cottage in the Dale. It must be taken care of. Today.”

“How do we know it wasn’t you who killed the family?” asked Fenir, a valid question, Ruenen honestly thought.

“The bodies were . . . ripped apart, charred. Not drained of blood.” Genuine concern flitted across Nosficio’s face.

Ruenen suddenly felt cold. If the vampire was nervous, the creature was most certainly trouble.

“A werewolf?” asked a councilman, his voice high and tight.

Keshel shook his head. “It wasn’t a full moon last night.”

“Does it matter what it was?” asked Vorae in annoyance. “It needs to be taken care of.”

“I will go to the Dale,” Marai said, getting to her feet and adjusting the weapons in the belt strapped around her waist.

“I shall accompany you,” Nosficio said. He stood and bowed to the table. “And then I will leave to deliver your letter.” His red eyes glistened, making most councilmen cringe.

Here was a chance to get out of this meeting.

“I’ll come, too.” Ruenen leapt to his feet, but a steady hand on his arm halted him.

“That is unwise, Your Highness,” Holfast said, eyes steely. A warning for Ruenen to sit back down and remain in his place.

Ruenen did no such thing. He glared back at Holfast, but the Steward didn’t remove his arm.

“You cannot go gallivanting off after this creature,” said Vorae with a flippant wave to Marai and Nosficio. “Let them take care of it.”

Ruenen’s teeth ground together. Vorae’s blatant insult sent a furious charge through Ruenen’s  bones. “The safety of all Nevandians is my responsibility. If there is indeed a dangerous, unknown creature loose on my lands, I want to ensure that it’s destroyed.”

“But there’s much more to discuss here, Your Highness,” Holfast pressed again.

The warning in his eyes didn’t concern Ruenen. He needed to get out of this room. The weight of responsibility began to crush him. The fear of what else was yet to come.

“You can fill me in later. I trust you all to make the proper preparations for the upcoming battle.” Ruenen joined Marai and Nosficio by the door.

“Accompany His Highness,” Holfast said to Avilyard, resigned.

Ruenen didn’t miss the annoyance in the Steward’s tone. He glanced at Keshel instinctively. Marai trusted him, possibly more than she trusted anyone else. Ruenen knew he could, too. Keshel’s eyes narrowed slightly, still not a fan of Ruenen, but he returned a curt nod. He’d remain and keep things focused. Keshel would ensure the fae’s safety during Ruenen’s absence.

Nosficio led Marai and Ruenen from the castle and out into the courtyard. Ruenen could barely get out the doors fast enough. He sucked air into his lungs as if he’d been drowning underwater and had just broken the surface. His headache cleared. His anxiety eased. At his side, Marai stared up at him.

“I’m fine . . . a little overwhelmed,” he admitted.

Her eyes shimmered like cold flames from distant stars. For a moment, Ruenen got lost in them.

A loud cough brought him back to earth.