Page 53

Chapter

Fifty-Two

F rantic guards paced back and forth outside the tall gates of the castle, letting Lessia and Merrick pass only after a thorough interrogation of what they had been up to.

Lessia mumbled something about drinking in a tavern, squaring her shoulders and keeping her face impassive as the guards’ brows rose upon noting her blue lips and pale complexion.

But when Merrick backed her up, stepping in close, they averted their eyes, a shiver running through the nearest one as he gestured for them to walk through.

Still, eyes burned into her back as they walked the footworn stone path to the large double doors.

Merrick opened them for her, and when she stepped over the threshold, she nearly walked right into a bloodied Zaddock. His eyes flew to hers, immediately narrowing, and he blocked her path as she tried to take another step inside.

Her gaze snagged on the bloody trail that snaked down his face from his temple, then moved to his heaving chest. “Are you all right?”

“Where have you been?” Zaddock’s nostrils flared as his eyes sliced between her and Merrick.

Forcing herself to keep his stare, she said, “I had some business to attend to.”

Brows pulling, Zaddock shifted closer. “And what business was that?”

Lessia shrugged, casting a glance at the empty hallway behind them. “Just tavern business. You can ask Ardow when you see him next. I just left him.”

Ardow would catch on quickly if Zaddock asked.

He always did.

Her pulse quickened when Zaddock didn’t back down, his face remaining stony.

“Why don’t I believe you?” He wiped at his cheek with his dark cloak when more drops of crimson trickled down his face.

“Seems a bit convenient that you storm out of our house, luring Loche to follow you back to the castle only to find you weren’t there.

Instead, there was an ambush waiting for him outside your room. ”

Lessia had opened her mouth to respond when Merrick placed a hand on Zaddock’s chest, easily driving him two steps back.

“I suggest you back off. My understanding is that she saved your life during the last attack. And now you’re implying she might have something to do with it?” Merrick snarled.

The two males glared at each other, and Lessia imagined the chilling glint in Zaddock’s eyes was mirrored in Merrick’s.

Pulling at the Fae’s cloak to get him to step back—without any success—she cleared her throat. “We’re on the same side. There is no point in fighting each other when we should find out why Stellia and her men are doing this.”

“She’s half-right, you know,” Loche drawled as he limped into the room, his black jacket and breeches ripped and blood marring his face from a split brow.

Something stirred in Lessia’s chest as he came closer, and she clenched her hands when a whisper of fury danced over her skin. Even if his usual smirk graced his face, shadows clouded his eyes when they met hers.

“What do you mean?” Merrick growled with eyes still fixed on Zaddock.

“We’re on the same side. But Stellia is dead. She is not the one doing this.” Loche grimaced as he shifted his weight to his right foot.

Lessia’s mouth fell open.

“What?” she whispered.

A frown formed between Loche’s brows as he trailed his gaze over her, from her snow-covered leather boots to her still-clenched fists, slowly lifting it to meet her eyes.

Hesitating for a moment, he seemed to be debating with himself but finally set his jaw. “You’ll find out soon enough anyway. Frayson is calling a meeting with all nominees any minute now.”

“Loche—”

Loche’s eyes left hers to bore into Zaddock’s, and his guard’s lips tightened into a thin line when Loche glared at him.

Moving to lean against one of the white pillars in the foyer, Loche turned to her once more, ignoring Merrick as he stepped up right behind her.

“My men found parts of Stellia’s ship floating around one of the small islands just across our borders.

When they ventured onto land, her body was the first one they found.

Most of her company was found dead with her.

They’d fought hard—there was too much blood for it to have come from just her soldiers.

But whoever they fought cleaned up after themselves. ”

Merrick stiffened behind her, and Lessia cast a quick glance over her shoulder.

While Merrick’s eyes remained on the floor, every muscle was locked, his tan hands twitching by his sides.

Turning back to Loche, she caught the quick glance between him and Zaddock as she asked, “Do you think her own men betrayed her?”

Loche’s eyes didn’t meet hers as he responded, “We don’t know.”

The low huff that escaped Merrick made her realize she wasn’t the only one who didn’t believe him.

Her gut twisted as Zaddock took a step back.

His face was still hardened with anger, but it was the slight flare of worry in his eyes when they accidentally met hers that had the hairs on the back of her neck rising.

“There you are!”

Frayson stalked into the room, followed by several guards, including a few of Loche’s, all bearing those dark masks that somehow seemed even more ominous now that she’d seen the men behind them.

“Lessia, I’m glad to see you in one piece. We looked all over the castle for you.” Frayson offered her a tight smile before gesturing for them to follow. “I’m calling a meeting regarding the election and the news we received tonight. We need to make some fast decisions.”

Loche glanced at her and opened his mouth, but after another look at Zaddock, he closed it and followed the older man into the dimly lit hallway.

“You need to find out what he knows. And soon.” Merrick’s whisper brushed her ear as he stepped up beside her.

Wringing her hands, she followed him as they walked toward the throne room, where hushed voices drifted toward them.

She wasn’t sure she wanted to find out.

But if they were targeting the nominees, they were targeting Ellow.

And she’d made a vow to protect it with all her might.

Lessia was still deep in thought when Merrick moved to the side, allowing her to enter the room first.

“It must be her! She is the spy! Throw her into the dungeons or banish her—I don’t particularly care.”

Whipping her head up at Craven’s shrill voice, she took in the room.

Craven walked back and forth before the crackling fireplace, his muddled eyes venomous, while Venko sat in one of the chairs, his face pale and hands gripping the plush arms.

Guards stood rigid by every wall, and several were posted by the windows—one row facing out and the other watching the room with sharp eyes.

“What are you waiting for?” Craven waved his arms. “It’s clear that there is a spy in the castle, and who could it be if not the halfling?

She must be feeding them information about where we are and what we’re doing to allow them to sneak in undetected.

Not a single guard saw them come in or stumbled upon them while they waited in the shadows. ”

The anger from earlier returned with full force, and Lessia couldn’t stop herself from stalking up to the man, jabbing a finger into his chest. “I have no idea how or why they keep attacking. Or who is behind it, for that matter. I wasn’t even here tonight, Craven.”

A sliver of guilt rushed down her neck as she spoke .

But she wasn’t behind this, and she doubted King Rioner had anything to do with it.

Not if the same things were happening in Vastala.

While he was shrewd and vicious, what did he have to win by messing with the human election?

Craven’s bloodshot eyes narrowed, and she pushed him backward, cringing as the musty scent of his breath washed over her when he opened his mouth. As she took a step back, she slammed right into a hard chest, and a strong arm snaked around her to steady her when she stumbled.

She almost thought she imagined it when his grip tightened around her for a moment before he snarled over her head, “This is why you’ll never win, Bernedir.

You’re a fool if you think Lessia has anything to do with it.

” Loche took a step toward the graying man, leaving a wave of coldness washing over her as his arm dropped to his side.

“And if I hear you call her that vile name one more time, I will personally make sure you need a healer ship to bring you back home.”

Lessia bit back a grin when Craven sighed loudly, then slumped down into a chair, his arms crossed over his chest like a child.

“We have much to discuss tonight, and it’s already late. Let’s end the fighting, shall we?” Frayson also seemed to be hiding a smile as he gracefully sat down.

With a glance at Merrick, who hovered beside her, Lessia took a seat in the closest chair, with Frayson on one side and Loche sitting on the armrest of the one on her other side. Loche’s leg bounced as he fixed his gaze on Frayson, the fabric of his ripped breeches flapping with each movement.

Drawing a breath, Frayson glanced around the room.

“It appears everyone knows Stellia is dead. We’re waiting on a detailed report, but she fought bravely until the end.

” The old man clasped his hands together, his chin dropping an inch.

“ We do know she’s been dead for a while, which means she’s likely not behind this.

We don’t know yet who is—if it’s some of her own men or someone else entirely.

But whoever it is, they have intimate knowledge of the election and of each one of you. ”

Frayson paused for a moment to shoot Craven a sharp glare. “While I don’t think any of you nominees has anything to do with it, we do believe there must be a spy in the castle. We have employed every single soldier available to find him or her. And trust me, we will do so quickly.”

The fire roared in Lessia’s ears in the silence that followed, and she had to fight with everything in her to keep a mask of indifference when Loche’s stare burned into the side of her head.

Lifting her eyes to his, she forced a shrug, then crossed her legs, trying to get her muscles to focus on anything other than the apprehension that lay heavy on her chest.

Frayson cleared his throat. “While we will find the spy, it’s becoming too dangerous to prolong the election more than we must. Ellow will not be safe without a fully committed regent.

With that, we’ve decided to move up the next elements.

The commoners’ debate will happen tomorrow, and the last trial in the days following.

After that the vote will open. There will be a final ball, where we’ll invite our allies from Vastala to meet you, to ensure you’re comfortable managing the relations with King Rioner’s emissaries.

I realize this gives you less time to rally votes, so I strongly suggest you inform your people to speak on your behalf with voters as soon as possible. ”

Lessia frowned when the hope that fluttered in her chest at the chance of being free within weeks, perhaps even days—even if she had to face the Fae—mingled with wistfulness.

Her eyes collided with Loche’s again, and her cheeks reddened when his stormy gaze already waited for her, flaring when she continued to meet it.

“You should rest up before tomorrow. From now on, guards will follow you wherever you go in the castle, and if you need to venture out, please inform us so we can ensure your protection then as well. If there are no more questions, I shall bid you good night.”

Lessia didn’t break Loche’s gaze while Frayson spoke, nor when he, together with Craven, rose and swiftly left the room, followed by a large number of guards.

“Lessia?”

She forced herself to look away from Loche as Venko’s hand landed on her arm.

“May we speak?”

Concerned to find Venko’s eyes glazed, she got to her feet, dragged him to the fire, and positioned him with his back to the others.

Casting a quick glance behind him, she found Loche staring at them intently and Merrick’s entire body turned their way.

She cursed softly.

Loche probably couldn’t hear over the wind hitting the windows on either side of the fireplace, but Merrick wouldn’t miss a word.

“You told me to tell you if I found out more.”

Lessia hushed him, burning her eyes into his, but she did not dare draw on her magic.

“You need to whisper,” she hissed between clenched teeth.

Nodding once, Venko lowered his voice. “You’re no longer off limits.”

Her brows pinched. “What do you mean? ”

“I don’t know. I was just given a letter that said you’re not off limits.”

Lessia threw another quick look over his shoulder, the knot of fear in her chest tightening when Merrick moved closer. “Off limits from what? What did it say exactly?”

Venko’s empty gaze stared into the fire. “Elessia Gyldenberg is no longer to be exempt.”

Following his gaze, she pulled at her hair.

Was it a warning?

Had whoever Venko worked with figured out she’d gotten to him?

A chair scraped the floor when Loche also shifted closer, his eyes glued on hers, and Lessia quickly squeezed Venko’s shoulder. “Thank you. Go to bed.”

With a nod, Venko spun around and walked out of the room.

Lessia followed, keeping her eyes on the floor as she passed Loche, but she couldn’t escape Merrick as he fell into step with her. The Fae didn’t say a word as they were escorted to their rooms, only quietly bid her good night and slammed the door to his bedroom.

As she lay on the bed, unease gnawed at her.

Whoever Venko was working with had known of her, and had known of her abilities.

They must have known she’d get the information.

Was whoever he was working with connected to the attacks that kept happening?

She moved to lie on her side, and her eyes followed the heavy snow that fell outside her window.

But they’d gone after Venko as well.

Fear pricked her skin.

There might be more people than Stellia’s men and King Rioner she needed to look out for.