Page 51 of A Promise of Lies (Shadows of the Tenebris Court #3)

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Bastian

A week flew by, lost in meetings. Yet another new king to liaise with meant more Convocation meetings and more of Braea’s summons. Shapechangers who’d left the city returned, and some found other fae had simply taken over their homes, so I got dragged into that as well as a public burning of Cyrus’s register.

My days disappeared in work, when really I wanted to lose them with Kat now she was home.

But in the background, I worked on another problem, weighing up information, digging up a little more here and there, until I was sure. Next, I had to calculate the best approach—this matter required a delicate hand—and wait for the perfect opportunity to arise.

On a sunny afternoon, a message arrived, alerting me to just that.

I strolled up behind him, like this was nothing more than a relaxed walk. “Caelus.”

He blinked up at me, slapping shut the book he’d been drawing in. There were no signs of injury from Cyrus’s beating—Elthea had healed him well. His hair glistened in the sun as he ran a hand through it. “I didn’t think the Night Queen’s Shadow had time for walks in the gardens.”

I bit back a laugh, not wanting to show my hand too soon. “Join me.” I gestured ahead like this was a request rather than a barely veiled order.

He cocked his head, a faint frown creasing his brow, but he fell into step beside me. In silence I steered us towards a pair of gushing fountains in the form of a stag and a rearing hind. The noise would cover our words.

He watched with a bemused smile as I leant against the fountain’s edge. “Is something wrong? Is it Kat? Do you need?—?”

“I always wondered who Dawn’s spymaster was.”

He fell stone still for a beat, then slowly, he straightened, eyes narrowing, sharpening, shoulders pulling back like he was ready and not the relaxed man he’d been a moment before. Just those few changes made him look like a different person—the kind of person who could be a spymaster, rather than merely a member of court known for being good-looking and… nice .

The man who stood before me was keen like a knife, calculating, and far more clever than I’d given him credit for.

He watched me for a beat longer, then sighed and took the spot next to me. “What gave me away?”

“You know how it is—it’s never just one thing.” I shrugged, watching as a wren bobbed past, disturbed by our presence. “Sepher named you as his source for uncovering our plot with Krae.”

“ Hmph . He never could resist boasting.”

“You know what his vanity is like. And after hearing that, other things clicked into place.” I eyed him sidelong. “You were sent to Albion not to marry their queen, but just as I was—to spy on them… and me.”

He cracked a smile and met my gaze out the corner of his eye. “Just as you spied on me.”

In some ways it was like looking in a mirror, but one that reversed things. He wore a friendly exterior and hid in its shadows. While I wore shadows and hid the gentler parts of myself behind them.

“I did break into your rooms,” I conceded.

“Oh.” His gaze went distant. “ Ooh . So that’s why Katherine intercepted me in the corridor and flirted so damn well when I thought she only had eyes for you.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Well played, Marwood.”

“Then you kept hanging around her to get information about me.”

“I knew she would be a way to get to you. The way you looked at her in Albion, I’m shocked it took you so long to realise how you felt. But it wasn’t only that.” He pressed his lips together. “There is something intoxicating about her. Maybe it’s as simple as the red hair… maybe it’s the idea of seeing her unleashed at last. I know that’s an appeal you understand.”

I huffed at the fact I’d been so transparent even back then. “So that’s why you went to her as soon as she arrived in Dawn—you do care about her. She feels bad about using you, you know. And about Cyrus hurting you.”

“I know. She came to visit and see if I was all right… as well as giving me a few choice words about telling Sepher your secrets.” He shrugged, mouth twisting. “That’s exactly why she needn’t feel bad. It was mutual gain, like in the hot springs. I enjoyed watching you two, just as you enjoyed being watched.”

For a long while, there was only the splash of the fountains as I let my thoughts drift back to that evening. I suspected Caelus’s went in the same direction. “What I can’t work out is… why help Sepher and not your king?”

Caelus made a dark sound, a glower darkening his face. “For the same reasons you wouldn’t have served him in my position. He was a prick.”

I chuckled and nodded. “Entirely fair assessment.”

“His goals and methods”—he shook his head—“no. I couldn’t. And when I saw the way he treated Katherine, I was afraid for her. I care about my court. But I also care about her. Helping Sepher work against Cyrus worked for both agendas.”

Like it was straightforward. Then again, Cyrus hadn’t lifted him from nothing. Caelus hadn’t sacrificed too much of himself, of his time, of those he cared for in service of King Cyrus.

“I knew the risks,” he went on, “and thankfully I avoided the worst of them.”

I let out a long breath, shoulders sinking. “Well, I’m grateful for it, and she is too.”

“And, for what it’s worth…” He faced me fully, eyebrows pinched. “I didn’t know there was a changeling in Lunden. I’ve heard how things escalated with him, and I would never have allowed that.”

He seemed annoyed it had been allowed without his knowledge. I couldn’t blame him.

“I know Cyrus sent him.”

“Exactly why I couldn’t trust him to rule.”

We both sighed in shared relief that we were free of him. The fountains soothed me as a blackbird started its song.

“So, what now?” Caelus gripped the fountain’s edge. “Has the Shadow come to kill off his rival?”

“Do you think you’d see me if I was trying to kill you?”

He smirked. “Do you think you could catch me?”

“You can relax. There’s been enough killing lately. Besides, another spymaster would only come along and replace you. You’ve served your court well. I like to think I serve mine. How about we keep doing that? And maybe once in a while we can use that shared drop point for the good of all Elfhame.” I rose and held out my hand.

He looked at it for a moment, then stood. “And for those we care about.”

On that, we shook hands.