Page 29 of The Lionheart’s Bond (Bonds of Dusk and Dawn #1)

KOA

K oa paced in the foyer. The news arrived last night, and his heart almost leapt out of his chest. His father was alive. He was alive! He almost couldn’t believe it. And now his father was back, and Koa was free, and in more than one way. The count’s son was free of the lord’s duty and relished getting back to his normal daily activities. Being in charge had been an enlightening experience and he was confident he had done an adequate job, but the added concern for his father’s life had made the leadership a burden almost too heavy to carry. The messenger the queen had sent to inform him of his father’s rescue had burst into his hall breathless and sweaty to deliver the long-awaited news and had lifted that weight off his shoulders at the same time.

The day of his return home had finally arrived. As the sun started its slow descent from its pinnacle, he stared out of the open doors, expecting the carriages and horses to appear any moment.

The distant neigh of a horse alerted him of their arrival, followed by the creaking of wooden wheels on the road. He had to repress the urge to run out and meet his father out there, like he used to do when he was little. He composed himself, as he was always taught, and kept his enthusiasm subdued, hidden in the rapid beating of his heart inside his chest. It was harder as the horses made it through the gates and into the courtyard, hooves ringing against the cobblestones.

His father, who usually rode a large mare, was now being helped out of a carriage. He looked gaunt and pale, and Koa’s excitement froze in his chest.

‘Father,’ he called, unable to keep still any longer. He closed the space between them in strides as long as he could manage without breaking into a run. For the first time, as the young lord approached his father, the Count of Aster appeared an old man, and not the imposing tall figure Koa’s memory summoned for him. Was it his imagination? Had he been superposing his impressions of his father over reality?

His father’s features lit up and the count clamped his hands on his son’s shoulders, his eyes filling with pride and joy.

‘I’m glad to see you, my son,’ he said.

‘I’m happy too, father. The entire house rejoices of your return.’

They gazed at each other like this before his father wrapped an arm around his shoulders and started walking towards the castle. But Koa suddenly remembered the rest of the message and looked around. This was definitely a larger party than had left, weeks ago. A lot of these men dressed in the queen’s livery.

‘Where is the prince? Was he not coming with you?’

His father looked over his shoulder and Koa imitated him but all he could see were the wagons, servants already unloading provisions and supplies.

‘You’ll meet him tonight, at the feast.’ His father pulled him along.

‘The feast?’

‘Come to my study, we’ll speak then.’

His father stood in the foyer, looking around, breathing in what must feel like familiar air, before finding the stairs and making their way upstairs. Koa watched his back, not as straight as it used to be, lead him up onto the first floor, past a door and into the library which doubled as his father’s private study. A servant was close behind them, bowing as he followed them inside.

‘Bring us some hot wine, please, and some brew or even chicken soup if there is any,’ Koa ordered, concerned by his father’s exhausted appearance.

‘Send anybody outside away and close the doors, please,’ his father said, dropping heavily into his chair. ‘It’s good to be home.’ He sighed.

Koa did as ordered and poked his head out, freezing when he saw her.

‘Lady Thora,’ he said, unable to hide the unease from his voice.

She watched him, wringing her hands against her abdomen, corseted tight into her dress, her breast swelling out of the cleavage as she stared at the door with her eyebrows knotted.

‘Is the count in good health?’ she asked, voice pleading.

Koa bit his tongue out of respect for his father and his recent return. He would not be mean to his mistress. Not today.

‘Lady Thora, Lord Joceus needs a moment of privacy, please retire to your rooms. I am sure he’ll visit you as soon as it is possible.’

‘But Master Koa—’

‘Go,’ he said curtly.

She bowed briefly and walked away, looking over her shoulder, and he waited until she was well out of his sight to close the doors.

‘Was that Thora?’ his father asked as soon as he turned to face him.

Koa nodded. The least his father discussed his lovers with him, the better.

‘I’ll see her after.’ He waved a hand in the air, as his eyes became unfocused and lost in a distant corner of the library.

‘You wanted to discuss something with me, father?’

‘Yes, of course.’ His father was back in the room with him. ‘Yes. I’m not going to beat around the bush. There is a traitor in our house.’

Koa’s heart started racing, his eyes opening wide despite himself.

‘I was pretty shocked at the realization myself, but all those weeks in enemy territory… I had time to think it over and the queen agrees with me. Prince Nel has come with, to investigate the matter and discover, stealthily if possible, who the traitor is. His Highness is keen to start immediately so we will gather all the main players of our household at a feast tonight, under pretext of celebrating our return. It will give the prince a chance to meet everyone and get a head start.’

‘Right, of course,’ he said. Confused, he fidgeted with his cuffs and adjusted the scarf around his neck. ‘I’ll give the orders immediately.’

‘I know this is shocking, Koa, but we will find who did this.’ His father leaned back in his chair. ‘Prince Nel is as smart a young man as I’ve ever met. He’s about your age too, so I expect you to keep close and help him in anything he needs, understood?’

‘Yes, father,’ he said, finding it hard to swallow, ‘I’ll help in anything I can.’

It was not so hard to organize the feast. The kitchens had been already working on more food than usual to welcome the count back to his home as well as receive the queen’s men and the prince, so doing a bit more wasn’t too much trouble. Cleaning, bringing wine, all that could be done easily enough. Getting all the people his father had listed on such short notice however, proved more challenging. Koa sighed, as he dispensed the last of the messages, and rubbed his eyes. His father had gone to sleep, hoping to be rested for the evening festivities

As the messenger closed the door behind him, Koa was now alone in his father’s study. He stretched in the cushioned chair and let his head fall back. The bookcases towered over him, looming above as if they would all crumble and bury him. The thought became so vivid he had jerked out of his chair, stumbling away from his father’s desk.

The knock at the door interrupted his attempts at quieting his mind.

‘Come in.’ He was keen to avoid the lonely company of his thoughts.

‘My lord,’ the young woman said, curtsying.

‘Lady Sigrid,’ he said, taking her fingers in his hand and gesturing as to kiss the knuckles. Skin never touched skin.

She looked up through her eyelashes, her burnished golden hair braided flatteringly to frame her face and render it even more beautiful. She was petite, her wrists so thin he was afraid they might snap. Not that he was particularly strong, though he could hold his own, but she was simply so delicate.

‘I was worried as I didn’t see you at the table,’ she said, a timid smile on her lips.

‘That’s kind of you, Lady Sigrid, but I am perfectly fine. I’m tasked to arrange the celebration tonight and it has taken more of my time than I expected. Is there anything I can do for you?’

She didn’t reply, silence stretching between them. Her eyes wandered across the carpet, as if there was an idea there for her to find.

‘I was wondering when we could spend some time together, my lord. We’re to be married and have barely spent an hour getting to know each other.’

Koa winced. That very fact had also been weighing on his mind. Bad luck, entirely. Their engagement had been finalized just before the queen entrusted his father with that reckless mission. As a result, Koa had been put in charge. A valuable experience for when the time came, his father had said. The words had sent a biting chill down Koa’s spine.

With the role came duty and responsibility aplenty, but what he had been lacking had been time. There was always something. A message needed replied to urgently, a visitor had come, a village was struggling with a tragedy. Weeks had passed and he could still count on one hand the number of times they had met, even though she lodged in the castle, together with her maids and a chaperone.

But where was the chaperone now?

Lady Sigrid, suddenly aware of her absence or realising he had noticed it too, took a tentative step, reducing the distance between then. Her gaze warmed under the softening light of the evening, and looked up at him, all fair skin and pale, pale blue eyes. She lifted a hand, and he had the distinct feeling she would put it on his chest.

Koa took the fingers in his hand before she could touch him, and kissed them lightly, barely a graze of the skin, before taking a step back.

‘I apologize for my negligence, my lady. I shall make a point to spend time with you this evening, during the celebrations. We will talk during dinner.’

A wave of cool blankness seemed to wash over her face, or so it had seemed, because it was gone when he blinked, leaving only her flushing complexion behind.

‘As you wish, my lord.’ She smiled, shy. With a new, quick curtsy, she pulled her hand tight against her lap. Koa let out a sigh, unaware he had been half-holding his breath the entire time. Lady Sigrid was a beautiful young woman, and half the guard had congratulated him on taking the Gem of Aster, accompanied by a number of what could only be considered unacceptable innuendos about their future intimacy. He feigned a smile and considered the type of punishments he would dispense to such men once he was the Count of Aster, and not only acting the role in his father’s absence. For now, he customarily delivered curt smiles that cut them off and changed the subject, unwilling to tell them that all he felt when he looked at the girl was admiration for her beauty, and even her affability, but only as one who appreciates quiet, easy company. Lady Sigrid was in every way, everything a man of his age could ask for, perfect, and yet, there was something vaguely insubstantial about her that made it hard for him to regard her as a real person.

‘The queen then,’ his father had suggested. ‘Being the Queen’s Consort is no small prize.’

Koa had broached the subject of his engagement one night as they drank wine in front of the fire.

The queen was certainly substance and even more. But she also was terrifying. Of course, he didn’t say any of this, since his father had only been half-serious, though he was convinced the count might have tested the idea, mentioning it to the queen, had Koa shown real interest.

Right now, Koa had no mind for romance, be it Lady Sigrid or Her Majesty, Queen Nahel. The only thing that occupied his thoughts was his wish to go to bed. He wanted to lie down and close his eyes, and forget the world for about an hour, but he couldn’t. He needed to get ready for the feast. With a long stretch and a slow breath, he left the study, and made for his room, hoping a change into his best fineries would revitalize him. He couldn’t look shabby for the Prince of Ilystra.

He made it down to the party early enough, feeling refreshed and more confident, if only because at least he dressed the part of the count’s son. He had bathed and changed, and his hair had behaved itself, falling almost exactly as he wanted it to. He had even applied some rouge to his cheeks, giving him a faint liveliness. He wasn’t one to follow all the fashionable trends. Earrings and the dark lines around the eyes he saw some others wear were not to his taste, but he used what he thought suited him best and he was content with his reflection in the mirror that night.

The festivities had already started in the hall when he made his way downstairs and his father sat at the table, on the dais, looking less tired, if equally gaunt.

Some of the ladies in attendance were engaged in circle dancing, holding their hands with the younger girls, as the musicians played a vivacious tune, over by the corner, violins and drums set a joyful beat. He started to cross the room towards the dais, keen to join his father and wondering where the prince was, when a movement he only caught through the corner of his eye captured his attention. He turned, uneasy, his heart suddenly racing. There was nobody there now, but following the direction of the movement, he saw a shadow disappearing through a passage out of the hall, to the left. Frowning, he went to investigate.

The passage led to the narrow staircase that wound up to the tower, and while he couldn’t see anyone, the movement of light ahead made him follow. Step after step, he continued, until a voice called his name, and he came up to the landing, stepping out onto the balcony.

The lands of Aster spread under his feet, the deep wooded areas, with their rocky mountains behind and the lake, farther to the west, where now the sun reflected orange as the it made its final efforts for the day.

‘Lord Koa was wise to follow me here,’ the woman said. Tall, slender, her face made up with fine powders and tints, her dark, intelligent eyes studied his face. Koa was not happy to see Lady Vancary.

‘What are you doing here? My father is returned. You have nothing else to hold over my head,’ he spat, frowning.

Lady Vancary gave him a once over, as if weighing him, and considered what she saw insufficient.

‘Why would I hold anything over your head? It didn’t work the first time, unfortunately. I clearly underestimated you.’

Koa raised an eyebrow. That was unexpected. Lady Vancary had constantly demanded information from him, in exchange for his father’s life. A Kaletian emissary, she managed to sneak into his ancestral home unseen and unbothered. He suspected someone let her in, which made sense, after his father confided his suspicions to him, but her comings and goings still seemed unnatural.

Regardless, the timing of his father’s rescue had ruined Lady Vancary’s plan.

As the weeks passed with no news from his father, the situation was only becoming more desperate and by week five, he was considering what small piece of information he could give this woman that would lead to his father’s freedom. Had the queen taken three more days to free his father, it would have been too late.

‘I was just concerned. Your lord father seems… not his former self. He has maybe lost weight in the dungeons of The Quarry. The Divine Lords know how volatile and unreliable Lord Torell was when keeping prisoners. Why, some even say he tortured them. Our King despises the practice, of course, and Lord Torell would have been terribly reprimanded. If he hadn’t been killed first, that is. It is unfortunate. Who knows what will happen to your father now.’

‘What do you mean, what will happen to my father?’ Koa took a step forward, his heart racing. ‘He’s home now. He’ll be fine once he has time to rest.’

Lady Vancary didn’t do much to hide the slight curving at the corner of her mouth and didn’t bother to erase the smirk when she spoke again.

‘Of course, my lord, he will be absolutely fine.’ She smiled fully now, which enervated Koa further.

‘Is that what you came for?’

Lady Vancary pulled her head back, her narrow chin pointed at him like an arrow.

‘I came to offer my services. Shall you need any help with anything, with your father, I’ll be more than happy to provide said help.’

Koa frowned, disbelieving.

‘I’m sure we could come to an arrangement,’ Lady Vancary said.

Koa wasn’t even mildly surprised at the turn the conversation had taken or, rather, where the Kaletian emissary had led them to. This was Vancary’s twisted way to plant unrest in his soul, feeding into Koa’s worst fears, and suggesting she alone held onto the solution to his problems, which she would be willing to give him in exchange for a price. And he was confident about what the price would be. Information, of course.

‘I see,’ was all Koa deigned say, unable to rearrange his features in anything less disdainful than the way he was looking down at Lady Vancary.

‘You’ll let me know, of course, if that’s ever the case.’

Koa didn’t dare speak. If he said something, it would not be pleasant or even polite. Better let her disappear and be done. Without another word, he turned on his heels and made his way back downstairs, keen to get lost in the party and maybe avail himself of a glass of his father’s best cider. He certainly needed the boost. When he looked over his shoulder, the balcony still visible through the open door, he found it empty.

Back in the hall, the women were still dancing and laughing, which did something to alleviate his tension. This was a party, he reminded himself. As he walked past the group, one of the young girls, maybe fourteen or so, came dancing towards him and offered him a flower crown. He smiled openly, amused at the offering, and bowed down so the girl could put it on his head. He smiled at her, and she giggled.

‘Prince Nel of Ilystra,’ one of the pages announced just as Koa was straightening up. He turned to the door just in time to see the prince come in.

He had only met Prince Neisha, the crown prince, when he was a child and had no memory of ever seeing any of the others up close, but he had a distinct memory of a group of very tall young men. Prince Nel was not tall. He was by no means short, not next to anyone else, but Koa was pretty tall himself.

Prince Nel had shiny black hair that waved at the top, gracefully falling to the side of his face where it was longer, the sides and back shaved close to his scalp. His eyes were lined in black, dark, and inquisitive. He wore a tight tunic of yellow brocade that fit his body to perfection, and while he wasn’t as muscled as they said a lot of the older princes were, the shape of his trousers betrayed the tone and strength of his thighs.

The prince pulled at the cuff of his jacket, his eyes searching the crowd. Koa thought maybe he searched for his father, until they came to rest on him. The prince’s scanning of the room stopped, and they held each other’s gaze, like holding hands across a crowd. The image stunned Koa into immobility.

Prince Nel, on the other hand, looked impassive, as if he was nothing in particular held his attention, while Koa felt heat climb up his collar. He shuffled, the temperature rising around his face. Prince Nel lowered his eyes, and smiled, turning his attention back to the room.

‘My dear friends,’ he started, and the sound of his voice, even though it was barely louder than that of a man carrying a common conversation, was enough to force a silence across the previously noisy room, ‘thank you for your amiable reception and your fine wine,’ he said, as a maid handed him a golden goblet.

The crowd cheered as Nel tasted the wine and proceeded to down the entire thing in one go, making a spectacle of how satisfied he was with it, which thrilled his audience.

‘I’m delighted to have brought Lord Joceus back to his home and the land of Aster, where he belongs.’ He stopped to allow the cheer. ‘And I am even happier to celebrate his return with you all, but—’ He lifted a finger, determined to finish what he was saying. ‘We have work to do.’ He paused for drama, Koa knew. The prince smirked. ‘There is a traitor in our midst, and I’m here to make sure he or she is found out.’

There was a moment’s silence that didn’t seem to break, as if everyone was waiting for the punchline, but it didn’t come. Once they realized the prince was entirely serious, the murmurs started, heads turning, as if now that it was out, they would be able to recognize the traitor by simply looking at him or her. Others stood still, shocked at how he had handled the situation. His father ran a hand over his face, while many others stared blankly at the prince.

Koa was one of them. As the prince’s eyes returned to him, his heart pounded in his chest and an unpleasant pulse started in his head.

‘But first, let’s celebrate!’ the prince said, raising his glass to be filled again, and waving at the musicians to start playing.

The music seemed to relieve some of the tension, and the prince advanced towards the dais, a drink in one hand, the other one folded behind his back, looking right and left as the crowd parted for him, men and women bowing as he walked past.

The prince stepped up to the table and leaned down to whisper to his father instead. When he straightened, both men looked his way, and his father waved a hand for him to approach.

Koa tried to rearrange his features into something more adequate for a celebration, finding it hard to swallow. He felt the prince’s stare on him every step he took. Their eyes met again when he looked up from bowing in deference. The intensity of Prince Nel’s expression pulled him forward. He was mesmerizing.

Did everyone react this way to him? Did everyone recognize the power of his charisma?

Was everyone aware of the danger of it?

Out July 15th, 2024