Page 4

Lonan

“ W ho did this to you?”

I’m struggling for control of myself. This Fae that seems so unafraid of me, of my counselors, of my keep. She’s beautiful, I can tell that, under the mess she currently is, but many women are beautiful. No, it’s something else, though I can’t put my finger upon it.

The magical restraints that she must have been in for years left awful blackened marks on her rich olive skin. Both the binding marks around her lower calves, plus the signs of her having recently lost weight quickly.

And her thighs. It appears as though someone tried, rather successfully, to skin her. Repeatedly. My stomach turns at the thought of the pain involved in that.

She glares at me as she pants, but not a word escapes her.

Without my consent, my hands raise to take her shoulders. “Who did this to you?” I repeat, more forcefully.

“It matters not,” she spits, her coral-colored eyes flashing in rage.

“Like fuck it doesn’t,” I growl. I feel Kai approach behind me. His steady hand lands upon my shoulder.

“Come, Lonan. Let’s send her off for a bath. We can speak more to her later.” His voice is even, measured. Rather unlike my volatile, quiet best friend. But he’s right. I drop the girl’s shoulders and spin to look at him, my eyebrows raised. I wave a hand at Lilac and she slips around us, ordering Allie to follow her.

Once they’ve left the room, I glare at everyone in attendance.

Kai looks at me silently, but Caspian chuckles, having settled back into his chair. I spin to him.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

He holds his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “I didn’t realize you were gonna pin her to the wall. Not the fun way,” he smirks a moment before continuing, “Or I would have told you to handle her carefully. She’s a maid, and I thought she could be of use. No reason for you to question her roughly.”

I pace back to my chair and grab my wine, tossing it back. “A maid who could easily be a spy. But even a spy wouldn’t have done those things to themselves to pass. So. A spy with a horrific background, or a maid that’s been abused. Either way, you’re right, I’d have handled things differently.” I sigh, disappointed with myself.

King Alder generally wasn’t known to physically abuse or mistreat the folks who worked for him. No, he was merely emotionally abusive, and generally unstable and sanctimonious. I frown. If it had been him that harmed her, she would have told us, right? It would explain why she would want revenge. Or, if she was a spy, she would have told us it was him, to gain herself trust. Either way, I now am inclined to think it was parents, or her brother she mentioned, or even a spouse, that did that to her.

I grab the carafe of wine and fill my goblet, turning back to Kai. “Explain yourself.”

My milk brother raises his eyebrows. “Pardon?”

“You didn’t want me to question her roughly, that was obvious,” I spit, though a thought hits me and I grimace.

Kai chuckles. “Since when did we start abusing young Fae?”

“Fuck,” I mumble and I turn and head for my rooms.

I SHUT THE DOORS, ASCEND my private stairs and immediately strip nude. I rub the slits on my sides, fingers slipping in between to gently scratch. First point of order, a hot bath . I stride to my bathroom and run the water.

Decades ago, Fae stole nearly seventy plumbers from the human world. Absolutely worth the risk; indoor plumbing is delightful enough that I can damn near understand the human concept of sin. Most of the plumbers are still around, usually partnered with a water Fae, well paid, and quite settled and happy in our realm.

The steam roils over my large tub and I bring a full wine glass with me. I ease into the hot water, breathing a sigh of relief. As I soak and drink, my mind turns back to that little maid. Her hair had been in a long, ratty braid, but it had appeared ashy white. I bet she’ll be stunning, cleaned up and well-fed.

I soak a long time, half-pondering, yet again, the logistics needed for an attack on RedWater Castle itself. It would probably be easier to assassinate Alder. One or two Fae, easy in, hopefully able to escape after it’s done.

I get out and dry off, forcing myself to read some correspondence and reply to fewer of them, but I mainly avoid work. I refuse to even look at my map table in the corner.

Near midnight, I stand and stretch, slowly walking out onto my wide balcony. I spare a thought on how uncommon it is that I haven’t been disturbed this evening. I can assume Lilac gave everyone a heads up, and neither Caspian or Kai are fool enough to bother me after my behavior at dinner.

I breathe in the cool air, the sounds of the village built around the keep floating up to me. My thoughts are tangled and I’m unsure of why. Perhaps the pressure is getting to me. I snort at that thought as I take a drink of wine. I’ve spent near a decade getting things in order, like I’d break now that we’re nearing the finish line.

King Alder is power- and glory-hungry. He doesn’t rule well, or on his own. Rumor mill says that he killed his father, but I doubt it. He’s too hapless for that. Evil and stupid and despotic. ‘Tis a terrible combination. He’s yet to produce an heir, much to his chagrin. Many others’ chagrin as well, because I imagine there are many within the power structure he’s set up that would happily off him if his bloodline was in place to keep the realm from falling into war.

My mind returns to the maid. Allie. I am confused as to why I immediately felt protective of her. Those bewitching almost-pink eyes of hers that she refused to lower when I locked gazes with her.

While I don’t generally kill civilian Fae, I have no qualms killing a likely spy. I’m protective of no one, save perhaps my inner circle and they are all dangerous Fae capable of protecting themselves. So why am I so concerned about this Fae woman? I drain my wine and head to bed.

THE NEXT MORNING, I sit at the long table in the hall. Lilac, Caspian, Kai, Tazi and Korben are already seated. We often, but not always, have council meetings over breakfast, before we all go our separate ways, getting things done. When we have important guests, we often invite them and keep the business discussions light.

But no one has thought to include Allie. Annoyance fills me but I tamp it down. What the fuck is wrong with me? I’ll simply go question her after breakfast.

Korben’s shaggy, nondescript brown hair is in disarray. He probably just arrived. Caspian is speaking with Tazi, her slight frame dwarfed by his. I know she’s swinging her legs under the table, as she is both too short to touch the ground and too high- energy to be still. She shoves food into her mouth whenever she’s not speaking. Very high metabolism.

I take a drink of apple juice, then bark, “Report out.”

Kai clears his throat, “We heard back from Monkswick. They are sending an Ordained. And the militias at all three locations are still in good order.”

I nod. Cas goes next. “I did another sweep of the Gaeba Ruins. No signs of life.”

A grunt escapes me. Something there is making me twitchy; I can’t put my finger on it though. “Another,” I say simply, “Take Tazi this time. She can get into smaller spaces.”

She tosses back her iridescent blue braid. “Damn right,” she mutters around a mouthful of potatoes.

Lilac speaks, “I’m chasing my leaves at RedWater Castle. I’ll return tomorrow, but I can’t break into any of gossip circles. Additionally, I’ve spoken with the Mayor and checked her list of stores. Thistle Grove is well stocked for winter.”

I arch a brow. “Stay after breakfast, you can question that maid with me.” She nods.

Korben perks up. “I’m out of time at Larkstead. They are speaking of alliances through marriage to help secure their position.”

Kai chuckles, “There we go Lo, you could marry one of their six sons.”

I glare at him. “Do you not recall how the last meeting where you all pressured me to wed went?”

Him and Lilac laugh as Tazi pertly says, “I still have a scar on my wing.”

She continues, “The workers along Stockmont Canal are ripe for rebellion. We should send wine, meat, and warm, willing bodies. Prime the pump.”

“Kai, make it happen.” I chew a bite of eggs before I continue. “The leaders of Centerhedge remain loyal. Guivre Shores wants to speak in person. However, that old lizard wants me to come there.”

Sounds of disapproval escape my inner circle.

“I won’t be going during fall or winter, that is certain. Korben, how much time would you have there?”

He tilts his head back and forth, weighing it. “That far south, I can probably get away with another month.”

“Do it. Just don’t stay too late and go dormant. I need you.”

He gives us his silly, infectious smile and nods. “Got it, Boss.”