Page 102 of The Nymph Prince

Once through the portal, I headed for the palace. There was no time to rest from the long journey. My first order of business was to speak with my father.

The assassins arrived behind us, coming through the portal in silence. I didn’t know where they’d stayed during our time in Talena. They were but shadows, managing to move unseen.

The people of Avalontis greeted me as I passed them, some reaching to touch my arms. They treated me as if I was a god instead of just the son of one. Little did they know I was an ordinary male, no greater than any of them.

Still, I smiled and nodded in acknowledgement.

Father was in a meeting with the council when I barged into the chamber.

Salvatore, the old grouch, snarled upon seeing me. The other members looked almost as revolted, though they held no comparison to his.

“This is a private meeting!” Salvatore snapped, banging his fist on the table. “The guards should drag you out of here and throw you in the dungeon to teach you some manners.”

Father’s steel-blue eyes focused on the older male. “Or perhaps they should do the same to you for speaking to my son in such a way. You forget your place. Should I remind you of it?”

Salvatore’s face reddened as he shook his head. “Apologies, Your Majesty.”

Spineless worm.

“The news I bring, Sal, is of greater importance than anything you could ever say,” I said, intentionally using the name he loathed just to spite him. Then, I looked at Father. “May we speak in private?”

Father nodded before motioning to the council. “Leave.”

The council hurried from the room, all except for Salvatore. He glared at me over his shoulder as he reached the door and left.

“Why do you keep him as head of your council?” I asked. “He is nothing but an old man who bitches about everything and hates me.”

“And who would you propose to take his place?” Amusement shone on his face.

“Anyone. Even the baker’s son would be a nice fit for the job. He’s nice and easy on the eyes.”

Father chuckled. “If I only placed beautiful people in positions of power, our kingdom would go to ruin. As irritable as he is, Salvatore knows how to do his job and he does it well.” He tucked his silver hair behind one ear and exhaled, as if bored. “Enough of that. I take it the mission went as expected?”

He’d asked the question much like you’d ask about the weather.

“Your indifferent expression tells me you already know the answer,” I said, not in the least bit surprised.

“I might’ve sent men after you to see how you fared.” Father examined his flawless nails. “They reported back to say a truce was signed. Well done, Lorcan. Swaying the human king is no simple feat.”

“I do not trust King James.”

“I’d be concerned if you did.”

“Father…” I paused as I gathered my thoughts. “King James said that we provoked him, which was why he began plotting an attack. He spoke of beautiful women rising from the sea and luring his men to their watery graves. Several of his ships have been destroyed, as if pulled beneath the waves by the sea herself.”

“The sirens.” Thathadcaused a reaction on his face. He looked both livid and surprised, a barely contained rage. “It seems I was right about a snake in our midst, Lorcan. Our people are turning against us.”

“What will we do?”

“We’ll destroy the dark mages as planned.” Malice clouded in his icy blue eyes. “And then we’ll put an end to all who aided them. If the sirens have returned, it is to help the dark mages in this war. Malik has had suspicions of a traitor in Avalontis for many months. It seems he was correct.”

That explained why Malik had been overly protective of me in past months; always searching the shadows and very rarely leaving my side. Even now, he stood outside the door. We were all tired from the journey, but he would not rest until I was in my bedchamber, safe and sound.

“Report to Captain Orta,” Father ordered as he scooted back his chair and stood. His silk tunic was embroidered with gold thread and the material clung to his muscled body in a way that served little purpose other than to silently boast about his impeccable form. “Inform her of what you’ve strategized with the human king so that she can begin battle preparations. The spring solstice is nearly upon us.”

“Yes, Father.”

The conch around his neck glowed white, and although it was faint, I heard whispers coming from inside the shell. I’d asked him once what the whispers told him, and he’d responded with,“They whisper the ocean’s secrets. Nothing happens in my domain without my knowing.”