Page 207 of The Chains You Defy

“No, let me monitor first how long the amount you donated will last. I can’t explain why, but I don’t consider sending too much at once helpful, much to the contrary.”

“Enamcoharta, hm?”

“Thain?” My head shot around, and I growled at the sight of the redhead, who had snuck up to us and had obviously listened in. “I swear by Kalag, I’m so warmed up for murder today, you’ll be my crowning achievement.” Even better than the symphony of pain.

Unfazed, the redhead regarded me with steady attention. “Apologies, my prince. But I have to speak with you.”

Frowning, I examined him. He appeared changed, and it took me a moment until I noticed he wasn’t smiling.

Huh, that was a first.

Even his eyes lacked their usual shallow expression, and my forehead wrinkled.

But first things first.

Directing my gaze at Nayana, I gently stroked her cheek. “I’ll be back soon. For now, Ireas and Harc will stay with you.”

The tip of the black tendril peeked out from under the blanket in agreement.

Ignoring Ireas’ confusion, I lifted myself to my feet and awarded my nemesis with my attention.

“What do you want, Thain?” The redhead confused me. I would have understood if he’d been devastated because his beloved home had been obliterated, but this was something else. His expression was serious and downright nervous. I narrowed my eyes.

When we were out of earshot of the others, he finally answered.

“I can’t help but feel partly responsible.”

Of course he did. Because he was. I didn’t know why, but I’d never questioned his involvement for a second.

Growling at him was a reflex I couldn’t stop. The pitiful remnants of my powers writhed under the surface, agitated, demanding I should solve the problem the male in front of me posed for good. “Why?” I gritted out the single syllable, accompanied by a warning snarl he’d do well not to ignore.

“I should have realized that Cantarlann had plans involving nefarious intentions, presumably in accordance with your grandfather. In hindsight, his appearance at the High Court was suspicious as fuck. Galrach hates him and once stated he’d execute him on sight.”

Stepping to him, the menace setting every one of my nerve ends alight was written all over my features, but Thain surprised me yet again by not backing away or going into a defensive stance.

“I even noticed his coach departing when I returned from watch duty but only connected the dots when Fig informed me a few hours later that Nayana had never arrived at her getaway carriage. A little digging confirmed that she’d been seen climbing into Cantarlann’s vehicle. She had no reason to suspect him of not being on her side. After all, he’s…was…an old friend of mine and someone from a place where Antas’ mother lived.”

Fury roared in my ears, and my magic leaked out of me—even though the majority was still depleted—reaching for Thain, who still didn’t move an inch. Not even when my tendrils coiled around him, ready to transport this abomination of a fae into the afterlife.

But surprisingly, something held me back. Maybe my hesitation was founded on the calm acceptance with which he faced his punishment or the genuine regret lingering in his eyes. Or was the confusion nesting in my mind about his weird behavior responsible? “Have you played an active role in this ploy?”

“No. I—I would never. My loyalties are steadfast, and they lie neither with the High King nor with the Cuirt an Ghra. They haven’t in a long time, but I understand how hard this is to imagine from your point of view.”

I motioned for him to elaborate with a truly royal gesture. My suspicion was far from diminished.

“Come on, Dion. The Cuirt’s principles sound awesome. Splendid. Something to strive for. If everything had been upheld as promised, the conclave would have been a utopia for someone as free-spirited as I am. But although you might disagree, I’m not stupid. There is…was corruption under the surface. And once the wool was pulled from my eyes, I wasn’t able to ignore the rotten core. Was dealing with the revelation easy? No, not at all. After all, my whole life crashed down around me. All my values became meaningless from one day to the next. When Cantarlann named me ambassador for the Cuirt, destined to reside in Alaiann, I agreed and exchanged one tainted place for another, in hopes I could do something—anything useful.”

“Spreading your values around in Alaiann?”

“No.” Thain checked our surroundings with a vigilance unlike the one he usually possessed. “What I’m about to confide to you has to stay a secret. I’ve been granted clearance to include you, but the information is confidential and classified.”

My frown deepened.

Clearance? Classified? What was Thain talking about?

Confused, I released him from my magic. “Your information will stay between the two of us, if keeping your secret won’t hurt Nayana.”

“She’s allowed to know if she absolutely must. She has some assumptions after all. Naya is adept at reading between the lines and judging people’s souls.”