Page 89 of The Nymph Prince

“The dark mages are rising once again.” I wasted no time in easing him into the news. “I’ve heard of you capturing mages and torturing them for information, but the ones you take as prisoners are innocent.”

“No magic wielder is innocent,” he spat. “They are all wicked and must be destroyed.”

“And the ones who helped your great-grandfather during the last war? Are they wicked, as well? They turned against their own kind to ally with you.” My blood was boiling again. “The humans repaid that kindness by killing them all. How is that just?”

King James downed the rest of his ale. “I will not argue my stance on mages and their filth. How did you come by this information of the dark ones? What are their plans?”

“That,Your Majesty, ismybargaining tool.” I leaned forward and studied him. “If I were to tell you all I know right now, you might think to kill two birds with one stone: control the sea while you strategize an attack on the mages. I may be young, but I’m no fool.”

The smirk on the king’s face did nothing to ease the urge to punch him. “Wise, indeed, young prince. It’s almost as though you know me.”

Clenching my jaw, I said nothing.

“Whatcanyou tell me?” he asked, rolling his fingers on the tabletop, creating drum-like thrums.

“I know where the dark mages will be and when they’ll be there.” I held eye contact as I spoke. He could have his arrogance; I had a spine. “It will be an attack they won’t even see coming.”

His massive ego was absent as a controlled rage flared in his topaz eyes. As he’d said before, he wasn’t familiar with anyone challenging him. He wanted all of the information, and I denied him.

“So you propose a truce between the land and sea, so that we might band together to defeat the dark mages?”

“Precisely,” I answered in a steady tone. “Why must we fight each other when the real enemy is building in strength and number? An enemy that will show no mercy on either of us once their new king arises.”

“New king?”

Sadness attacked my chest and with it came a weight that slowly crushed me. Alek wanted nothing to do with being their king. How could I speak ill of him, even to prove a point to this infuriating excuse for a ruler?

“Yes. The dark mages will gather in his honor. A coronation, in a sense.”

“Do you know who he is?”

“No.” The lie came easily. “He will make himself known to all that night. My source only knows the meeting location and why they gather.”

A cold smile spread across King James’ face. “Then, we must wear our best uniforms, Prince Lorcan, for we have a special coronation to attend.”

“The truce?”

“Ah, right. Of course.” The king gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “I will call off my men and cease the war efforts against King Triton and his people.” The edge of his mouth lifted. “In exchange, we will work together, you and I. You’ll tell me all I wish to know about the dark mages so that we can begin strategizing for the attack.”

King James would betray me the second he could. I knew it just like I knew the sun would rise every morning. His only allegiance was to himself.

Keep your enemies close, I thought.

“A toast to our new alliance,” I said, raising my goblet.

The king clanked his cup to mine. “May our two kingdoms prosper with it.”

We held eye contact over the rim of the cups as we drank to the toast. He knew, as well as I, that the game was still in play.

Moves had been made on both sides and it was far from over.

22

Alek

Lorcan had been with the king for a long while. There’d been no commotion from the other side of the door, so perhaps the talks were going well. I had to believe they were. Lorcan had a way with words, and I hoped he was charming the king that very moment with them.

Malik didn’t take his eyes off the large doors that separated us from the prince. Reif didn’t, either.