Page 24 of The Chains You Defy

Did he still believe that my favor was worthless?

As I observed King Pritatus waging war against himself so as not to lose his decorum, I waited with more patience than I had.

In the end, he caught himself and stiffly bowed to me too. “Welcome to Ivreiana, Your Royal Highness, Crown Prince.” He fell silent, contemplating what to say, or maybe he tried to remember my name before he went on. “The protocol hasn’t been used in centuries.”

“Has the edict been abolished on the Ivreian side? Galanta still upholds the old customs.” Claiming so wasn’t technically a lie, after all.

“Not officially.” King Pritatus clenched his teeth. “Everyone thought that after what you—that after the annihilation of Amalach, all bridges were burned. There wasn’t a need to discuss this topic. Your actions spoke louder than words.”

I smiled in triumph, flashing my canines in the process, and caught a reproachful look from my uncle. What a spoilsport. “Which means the protocol is still in place, if I understand correctly?”

“What do you want, all the way in Ivreia? Disrupting the peace? Is your ruler not satisfied with the status quo anymore?”

“First, let me put you at ease. High King Galrach hasn’t sent me, much to the contrary. He doesn’t know that I’m in Ivreia, and especially not that I’m meeting with you. The reason I seek diplomatic aid is that one of your subjects has stolen something that is mine. And I want my possession back.” Ignoring Antas’ warning glare, I didn’t care about the unhinged undertones sneaking into my voice. “Isn’t searching out the peaceful way instead of taking retribution into my own hands in your best interest?”

King Pritatus paled visibly and some more when Thain addressed me. “Your very capable hands, Your Royal Highness, Crown Prince Dionadair.”

The redhead avoided my irritated gaze, and I wondered what his game was, but he just grinned at the queen again. Fucking idiot.

“What was thieved from you? By whom?”

“My Amplifier was abducted, and I have proof that she has been tortured for almost a fortnight by one of your subjects called Perran Feroy, also known as theKingof Merchants.”

If I’d judged him as pale before, Pritatus surprised me by losing even more color twice, once when I’d casually mentioned the word Amplifier, then again as I’d dropped Feroy’s name.

“Is Mr. Feroy aware that he stole from you? And what he has in his possession?”

“No. Not yet, since I presumed you’d prefer him not to learn aboutwhathe took fromwhom, given yourwhole hiding-the-truth game. But I assure you, should you deny me aid, I can’t guarantee anything.”

The relief mingling with anger in the king’s eyes was palpable. Of course, he’d hate for Feroy to find out more about what lies royalty was feeding to the inhabitants of Ivreia.

“We’re not playing a game; we’re protecting the public.”

“Whatever, I don’t care how you rule your world. What matters is her, and her alone. I want her back, and for the last time, I’m officially asking for your diplomatic aid.” I brushed up my sleeve and, after unwrapping the silk encircling my wrist, presented the black bracelet made from darkness etched under my skin. Normally, I’d rather cross the Breocharn on foot than show such an intimate part of what was between Nayana and me to anyone, but these were extraordinary circumstances. “You’ll find a similar piece around her neck, binding us together for an eternity. The markings are a result of sacred vows we took in front of the gods. We’re bound by divine magic, granted by the Triad themselves.”

From the corner of my eye, I could perceive how the boy gaped even more. Oh, he hated hearing that. The Rewani-woman, on the other hand, appeared smug, especially after her first surprise had faded. I bet Nayana had sought her consultation about the rite during our stay in Rastialla last Samhain.

“Why did Mr. Feroy abduct your Amplifier if he has no idea who you are and what she represents?”

“Because he believes he’s entitled to demand a life for a life. You must know, my Amplifier defended herself against Feroy’s son when he tried to rape her. Yes, her hand might have been promised to him at that point,but in my opinion, that didn’t give this vile male the right to mount her in a dirty stable without consent. In her panic, she stabbed him lethally, devoid of intention. Feroy calls the incident murder, but everyone in here interprets the event as self-defense. And if my word isn’t enough, you can ask your new employees, as they were present when Nayana Garnet Ortha was supposed to be executed without any trial. I and my soldiers interfered, and Feroy has harassed us ever since, until almost a fortnight ago, when he seized her. I assume he plans to exert self-justice. The very practice I’m attempting to avoid, as you can tell.”

King Pritatus would be a fool to doubt and dismiss the accusations of another royal, even though he wasn’t holding me in high regard—or any at all. He knew precisely who and, more importantly,whatI was and had done. Maybe he pondered if he favored leaving me without an Amplifier. My face contorted into a glare matching the barbed wire tearing apart my insides, and I noticed with utter satisfaction that King Pritatus flinched.

However, I was surprised when the queen got up, passed her husband, and stopped directly in front of me. The king had attempted to stop her, but a sharp glower had him lower his hand. “Of course, we’ll honor the Royal Protocol of Diplomatic Aid, Crown Prince Dionadair. Please accept my apology on behalf of my husband’s hesitation.”

There was a hard edge not only in her voice but also in her gaze, but none of the hostility was directed at me.

She turned to the king. “Will you issue the edict and send your men to Mr. Feroy’s place, or do I have to accompany our foreignguests? I want that woman freedat once. And not only that, I demand a full pardon for her.”

King Pritatus scowled but nodded. “I’ll dispatch soldiers at once. Just understand I can’t arrest Mr. Feroy without a trial.”

“That’s secondary. But concerning your men, I’ll escort them myself, together with my own comrades,” I added with steel in my voice. Digging deep into my innate powers, I wrestled a piece of magic free to reapply my Glamour. One after the other, Fig, Antas, and Thain followed suit.

Despite wearing a neutral expression, the king was angry; I could tell so much from the way his smooth voice had morphed into a hard staccato. “You can meet my soldiers at the main gate in a quarter of an hour.”

The queen glared at her husband, then turned back to me. “And of course, Your Royal Highness, I’d be delighted to call you, your fealty, and your Amplifier my most honored guests in the days to come, should you wish to receive my hospitality.”

I admired the strength resting in the queen’s eyes, and I wondered if Naya’s situation had caused some kind of female sympathy—something I’d heard women felt quite often. “I thank you very much, Queen Anneria. May you be blessed for your offer, one I and my people will gladly accept, at least until my Amplifier has recovered enough to travel again. From what I’ve been alerted to, she isn’t in good shape, so she’ll be in need of medical attention as well.” My chest vibrated as the angry snarl I’d withheld the entire time broke free. I couldn’t fight against the hatred sneaking into my expression at the picture of my female, battered and bruised.