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.
Nosficio shook his covered head, a smirk slithering onto his lips. “There’s no time for that now, Prince.”
The sky was overcast, a dull gray, but it was daylight. Nosficio adjusted his cloak and gloves, guaranteeing no skin was exposed to the sun’s weak rays. Ruenen couldn’t help but gawk at the boldness of this vampire.
“I’ll meet you two at the Dale.” Nosficio disappeared in a blur. The only indication of where he went were the gasps and staggers of servants in the courtyard that he’d swept past.
Ruenen and Marai were ushered through an archway by Avilyard and a unit of eight soldiers to the nearby stables. Ruenen hadn’t spent much time on horseback in his life. Horses were expensive, and he’d never had the money to purchase one. Now, as Prince, he apparently owned several. He struggled into the saddle and held the reins with unconvincing confidence. Marai, however, sat effortlessly erect on the back of a black mare, as if she’d grown up riding across the desert sands. Ruenen had the sneaking suspicion that she could do anything if she tried.
Marai and her many gifts.
“Where did you learn to ride?” he asked.
“Casamere,” she said with a shrug. During her time as a pirate.
As they clip-clopped down the winding cobblestone streets of Kellesar, people called his name from their windows. Children waved eagerly, as men and women bowed. Ruenen tried to smile and wave, but the knowledge of where he was going, what he was about to see, curdled the pride in his stomach.
Once out of the city, Ruenen steadied his nerves by focusing on Marai’s wild hair. White blonde strands whipped around behind her as she galloped across the rolling highlands. Golden soldiers surrounded Ruenen on all sides, making it nearly impossible to speak with Marai. He wanted to know her thoughts about the creature and Nosficio, about leaving Keshel behind with the Witan alone. About traveling to Grelta. About what she thought Rayghast would do next. Her council was what he needed, not a room full of strangers.
But he kept it all inside.
