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Chapter Three

R oderick:

T he heat of the throne room pressed against my skin, thick and oppressive, like stepping too close to an open flame.

It wasn’t the enchanted fire casting its flickering gold against the heavy drapes—this was Ailpein’s magic.

He’d woven spells into this room that amplified his already formidable power.

The quiet thrum of energy was a reminder to all who appeared before the king that he wielded authority in the room.

My brothers stood at the foot of his raised dais, unbent by the weight of Ailpein’s scrutiny.

Otto spoke with the easy poise of someone who didn’t acknowledge the fine edge they were walking.

His diplomatic calm was impenetrable, but I could feel the faint tension winding through him.

He understood what was at stake and the distrust of the being before him.

Bart paid close attention, content to let Otto take the lead.

Another example that my younger brother was the smartest person in the room.

He knew his strengths weren’t in persuasion, but rather in teaching.

Explaining could only happen once Ailpein agreed to listen.

Yet for all the strength of their unity, they faced the immovable force that was Ailpein’s pride.

I kept to the side of the room, trying not to draw the king’s attention. His gaze had flicked toward me twice, but it didn’t linger. It was a none-too-subtle reminder I didn’t matter. Neither did my bond with Cinaed.

My blood boiled at his callousness. He’d rather see the grandson he previously adored, die from a broken heart than admit his foolishness.

Across the room, Cinaed stood silently behind his grandfather.

He’d remained behind his father and siblings, but the cut of his tense jaw reflected the anger I felt.

We hadn’t bonded, so I knew I hadn’t influenced him with my emotions. I hadn’t needed to. He was as angry at the king as I. The difference was, Ailpein’s defiance had hurt Cinaed deeply.

“He’s not even pretending to listen to Otto.” Cinaed’s voice brushed into my thoughts. “It’s just insults coated in diplomacy.”

Cinaed’s voice burned with the heat of his anger.

I didn’t respond immediately, keeping my focus steady on Ailpein.

Some might think the king looked regal sitting with his back straight on the gilded throne, but it was feigned elegance.

His face was cold, his expression unreadable except for the slight narrowing of his sharp, orange-gold eyes.

“He doesn’t want to listen,” I replied, trying to keep my tone measured. “This is an exercise in his authority. He wants to see how far we’ll bend before he shuts us down.”

I knew Cinaed wanted to step forward and intervene, and how much it cost him to remain deferential to his grandfather. He wasn’t a coward, but this wasn’t the time or place to defy the king. Revealing our plans would get Cinaed locked away before we tried to break the spell.

“You ask us to trust mere words.” Ailpein’s voice cut sharply into the room. “Where is this unity you speak of? I’ve heard no offer of aid. Instead, you hide behind your bureaucracy and have the audacity to request something from me in the same breath.

“He pretends this is about protecting us,” Cinaed said, his thoughts sharper than before. “This is about his pride. He believes the world doesn’t respect him like it does the guardians.”

I shared his frustration, but Ailpein’s display helped me see the truth. Granting us this meeting was theater for him. He wanted this confrontation to make us squirm in front of his flock. Except Otto hadn’t been goaded into disrespecting the king.

“Your majesty,” Otto said as if Ailpein hadn’t accused him of duplicity. “Erecting a new Great Ward is in everyone’s interest. If we do it now, no harm will come to anyone involved in casting the spell.”

“So you’ve said already.” Ailpein spat. The flames on the sconces lining the walls flared like an extension of Ailpein’s anger. “Katarina stood in that very spot and made the same assurances. I’ve seen no evidence your words aren’t just as false as hers.”

Bart launched into an explanation, giving reasons and details for why this time was different. When he finished, Ailpein gripped the arms of his gilded throne and leaned toward my brothers.

“Do you take me for a fool?” Ailpein’s voice rose enough that his guards stiffened.

“You’re not ready to create the new ward, and that renegade mage could capture one of my flock at any time.

Where is the protection your Council offered at the start?

When your father keeps his pledge, then I will consider your request.”

“This is not a delay we take lightly, Your Majesty,” Otto said. “The truth-testing is a safeguard that cannot be skipped. Or rushed.”

“Grandfather sees the delays as a slight,” Cinaed said.

Ailpein was right to be scared for the safety of his flock, but Blackstone’s betrayal had the entire Council on edge. “That’s just a made-up excuse. He knows full well the consequences of sending a traitor to guard your family.”

Bart’s attempt to get the king to listen was cut off when Ailpein rose swiftly from his throne. “When you speak with action instead of empty promises, we can continue this conversation. For now, I’ve heard enough words.”

Ailpein gathered his robes and left through a side door. The tension in the silent hall was thick enough to cut with a blade. The king’s prerequisite promised nothing more than a continuation of this fruitless discussion.

“Even if you give him what he wants, he won’t change his mind,” Cinaed said softly.

He was right. Ailpein wouldn’t change his mind even if Father had already sent the mages. “Let’s meet as soon as is prudent and discuss our next move.”

I n my century-plus of life, I’d visited most places on earth—including Scotland—but this was the first time I’d seen the Highlands from the phoenix king’s castle.

Cinaed had always spoken of his home with such passion that I’d longed to see it in person.

Ailpein’s attitude toward his flock dating mages made that impossible until now.

Standing on a balcony in the hallway outside my room, I understood why this land had captured Cinaed’s heart. The earth had truly blessed this place. It was almost as beautiful as my mate.

A day had passed since I’d seen Cinaed, and that was across the hostile throne room. His suggestion that we meet had been surprising to say the least. “The view is breathtaking.”

“It looks even more amazing from the air.” Cinaed pressed his shoulder against mine. “I wish there was a way to take you with me.”

There were many things I wished for that wouldn’t happen. “Letting me experience it through your eyes has been life-changing.”

He put his hand over mine, and his heat radiated through my entire body.

We stood in comfortable silence, enjoying the view.

It was a closeness we’d been denied for too long.

I’d memorized every detail about Cinaed so I could see him in my mind without looking at him.

I saw the way his face softened when we touched, the light on his copper-red hair, and the way his skin shimmered with his internal fire.

He was breathtaking in ways I still wasn’t sure I deserved.

A hand cupped my cheek, and he guided my face toward him. His lips touched mine and I forgot all my doubts. We were a pair no matter how much Ailpein tried to keep us apart. I opened my arms, and even though our bond was incomplete, it hummed with revitalizing energy.

I allowed myself to indulge in the fantasy of this being our new normal, but then yielded to the tiny voice that was pecking to be heard.

We leaned back slightly but didn’t break our physical connection. His hands lingered against my chest as though he was afraid I’d vanish if he let go.

“You look tired,” he said, the faint quirk of his lips shadowed by the burden we carried. “You aren’t sleeping enough.”

He’d told me he renewed himself the day before, and I had no doubts he’d display the same weariness had he not been a phoenix. “Rest is a luxury we can’t afford.”

I didn’t need to elaborate. Ailpein’s heavy hand loomed over this castle like a shadow no light could banish.

“Don’t let him pull the fire from us,” he said, quieter but no less firm. His hand brushed my cheek. “We’re stronger than he’ll ever know.”

He kissed me again. It wasn’t forceful or fleeting, but a perfect show of affection we’d avoided to appease his grandfather. When it ended, I pressed my forehead gently against his. Even that felt like too much.

“We have to be more careful,” I said. “He’s watching you.”

A defiant grin tugged at his lips. “Not now he isn’t. Grandfather is occupied.”

I wanted to believe we could steal these moments hidden, but the king had watched us intensely since he figured out our relationship. If he caught us, he’d keep Cinaed locked up and never let us be together again. “He seems to be able to follow you even when otherwise distracted.”

“Right now, he’s meeting with your Inquisitor General who has made a surprise visit to work out Grandfather’s concerns.”

It took me a moment to process what I’d heard. There was no chance the statement was accurate. “Inquisitor General Hoffman? He’s here?”

“That’s what Father told me.” Cinaed’s expression turned wary. “Is something wrong?”

I wondered for a split second if my fears were influencing Cinaed, but we didn’t share a link. Any effect I had on him came from my words and my body language. “Yes. Lucius Hoffman is in Philadelphia.”

“Father said it was a surprise. Maybe your father sent him after Otto failed to persuade Grandfather.”

My father wouldn’t have forgotten to tell us about him suddenly sending Lucius to negotiate with the king. “No. He wouldn’t undermine Otto like that. And if for some strange reason he’d send Lucius—something he’s never done—he’d have at least told us it was going to happen.”