Page 28

The Prince

I wish I had the power to reach up to the sky and slow the spheres above us, as there’s nothing I want more right now than to stay in this magical place, holding Talysse. Time has stopped since we entered this serene place, and I’m afraid I’ll tear this world apart when daylight comes, and we have to leave.

Our sanctuary.

Carefully, I rise to my elbow and watch her peacefully sleeping in my arms, trusting me with her life. The darkness inside me stirs and reminds me of what’s expected of me, the ruthless prince who needs the crown to make this world better. Instead of doing this, I surrender to this weakness, which will be my undoing. Her perfectly shaped breasts rise and fall, her delicate fingers twitch in her sleep, and her pinkish scar appear endearing to me. And this odd Seelie bracelet on her arm, faintly shimmering in the dark—

Probably an item her parents have purchased from one of the traveling merchants who risk their lives poking in ancient ruins. The scent of her hair fills the air, a mix of cleanness and sun-bathed gardens, hyacinth, and the tempting promise of happiness. Of a future.

In another life, maybe, if this cursed world still stands.

They say Elder Seuta brings souls destined to be together to meet again in another cycle, and praying for this will give me hope for the rest of my days.

This is not what a throne heir is expected to do. And I feel deep in my heart what the man in me needs to do. My desire to protect her runs so deep, and it’s constantly warring with my sense of duty. A clash that can drive even the strong-minded insane.

The shadows inside me spill out, ephemeral tendrils of raw Unseelie power. Being around her like this is not safe.

Being around her for the rest of these cursed Trials is not safe. Gently, I lift her head, place it on the soft moss, and rise to my feet. I throw my clothes on and, soundless as the shadows I’m made of, leave this Elders-kissed place.

I linger around the cavern, Shadowblade drawn, until the mists around turn golden-rose, and the distant beating of hoofs announces the arrival of the royal guards.

The dawn we were both dreading has arrived.

Only after I see her climbing the steps of the black carriage do I spur my horse and leave.

*

We’re to spend the day before the final Trial in a rundown village not far away, a remnant of the days when here stood the magnificent summer residence of the Seelie Kings, a haunted wasteland now. The village is poorly protected, inhabited by humans who grow their meager crops around, too afraid to approach the sea and fish. It is one of the first ones that would fall when the nights stretch into weeks soon. Their mage is an old human, seeing his last summer probably. Something heavy hangs in my chest when we ride down the muddy streets, followed by the haunted eyes of starving children, too weak to run after us.

My parents would cheer if this place is wiped out. It’s not contributing goods or food to the kingdom, and its magical crystals could be put to good use somewhere else. Yet they haven’t seen the hopelessness in those people’s eyes, the dimmed light in the gaze of the newborn a woman lifts to show me, too tired to cry.

Taking one of the gold rings off my finger, I discreetly slip it into the hand of the sad, thin woman with the baby. It’s enough to buy her and her child a safe passage to a better place or get her throat slit by the townsfolk. This tiny mercy doesn’t make my heart any lighter. S elf-serving and tyrannical Talysse has called us, and now I see the point behind her harsh words.

A stone ruin with a makeshift straw roof has been prepared for us, and the servants have done their best to make the place more accommodating with thick carpets, silk, and gold-rimmed cutlery.

“Watch Talysse Nightglimmer’s chambers. No one is to enter it, understood?” My knight nods and salutes. Then I grab a bow and head into the Wastelands to find some eatable, not-Tainted game.

Walking the lifeless planes has never felt lonelier. I slay some Tainted wolves and cut through a small horde lingering in the shadows of a scorched orchard. Nothing brings me the peace I need. Flashbacks of what happened in the cave torment me, quicken my pulse, and weigh on my heart. Decision time will be soon upon me.

The five skinny rabbits I leave at the city well would barely keep a couple of families fed, and I vow to myself to find a way to ease these people’s suffering later. The sun mercilessly rolls toward the horizon, red as freshly spilled blood, and black carriages thunder along the neglected streets.

Bathed in blood, the night of the final Trial has arrived.

And all I could do was curse the cruel gods who put us through all this.