Bound to the Shadow Prince

Chapter 15

Chapter

Fifteen

“… a nd so I said to the bard, surely you can come up with a better song than that? We need smiles at court, not frowns and sadness!”

“Mmm,” I say to Balon. I lie on my back by the door, nestled amidst the pillows and blankets. I’m just so happy to hear him that I don’t mind him rattling on about court life and the sheer silliness of it all. At least, I didn’t at first. I was so relieved to hear his return that I didn’t care what he talked about, so long as he talked. But it’s been hours now and he’s not asked about me, nor has he told me anything about my sister. I’m starting to wonder if I’m simply a captive audience for his tales of court shenanigans.

“And do you know what he did next? He played a merry tune, just as I asked!” Balon laughs at his own story. “Isn’t that marvelous?”

“Absolutely,” I say, and then add, “Can I ask you a question, Balon?”

“Anything, my darling princess!”

“Where were you? It’s been a month since you came by.” I don’t say that I’ve been waiting impatiently because I don’t want to seem needy. I am needy, of course, but I’d prefer not to show it.

There’s a long pause. “I thought you couldn’t tell time inside your tower.”

“Not very well. But I was so excited to see you that I’ve been counting the days as best I can and I know it’s been a while since you were last here. Is everything all right?”

“Everything is fine, Princess Candromeda. It’s just been so busy at court. I’ve scarce had the opportunity to get away. You understand that it’s quite an excursion for me to come out here and see you?” His tone sounds faintly reproachful. “I must keep my visits a secret or else I would be banned from keeping you company.”

“Who would ban you?” I press. “My sister? I don’t think she would. She would understand your devotion. And you said Lionel is off to war.”

“It’s just…it’s dangerous.”

“Only if you try to break me out. Which you said you weren’t going to, right? So what’s the harm in visiting me?” I clutch the pillow close to my chest and turn toward the door. “Did you ask the gods if you could free me?”

“No answers on that front, my love,” he replies cheerily.

I roll my eyes into the darkness. I wonder if he even remembered to ask. “Please follow up with the priests,” I ask, keeping my tone sweet. “You know it would mean everything to me if I could get out of here.”

“You’re very brave for your sacrifice,” is all he says.

I’m struck by annoyance again. Does he think I want to be here? That I had a choice? I’ve been trapped since the moment Meryliese died, with no way out of my horrible destiny. “You’re too kind.”

“Shall I tell you more stories of court?” he asks cheerfully. “It has been quite adventuresome as of late.”

“Actually could you get a message to my sister? Tell her I’m all out of candles and wood? I need them both if I’m to last through the winter.”

“My sweet princess, you know that no one can be aware of my visits here. I dare not tell a soul.”

Dragon shite. He just doesn’t want anyone to know that he’s visiting because it doesn’t suit his needs. “Do you want me to sit in the darkness for the next year, Balon? Because if you don’t tell them I need candles and wood, that’s exactly what’s going to happen. I have to make my medicine and I can’t if I don’t have anything with which to make a fire. Understand?”

“I shall see what I can do,” he says. “But I do wish you wouldn’t be so angry at me, dearest. It’s not my fault you’re trapped.”

I pinch my brow, frustrated. “I know it’s not. I’m not trying to be angry, Balon. I’m just scared. If I don’t have my medicine, I’ll get sick and die. You know this. Please, just tell Erynne I need candles and wood for a fire. Please .”

There’s a long pause. “I will do what I can, my heart.”

“Thank you, Balon. That’s all I ask.” I smile into the darkness. “And you’ll be back soon?”

“As soon as I can get away. It is terribly difficult to get away from court, you know. Did you hear that there is a holiday ball next week? For the Feast of Pious Arthell.”

It’s the Feast of Pious Arthell already? I mentally go over a calendar, trying to count the days. The feast always happens in harvest season. Maybe I’ve been here longer than I thought already. “I love the Feast,” I say, moving into safer territory with the conversation. “What are you going to wear?”

Balon settles in with a happy laugh and proceeds to tell me all about his wardrobe choices for the upcoming festivities. When he leaves a few hours later, he promises to return “swiftly” and with news of my sister, the war and to tell the others about my predicament.

I get up from the floor and straighten my blankets, folding them, and as I do, I think about his promises. I don’t know if he realizes just how dire my situation is. I think of spending the long winter in the darkness, parceling out my wood so I can make my potion, and eating cold, raw food. The thought is a depressing one.

“You should tell him to forget you.”

I jump in surprise, my heart thudding wildly in my chest at the sound of the Fellian’s voice. I clutch the pillow to my breast, glaring into the darkness where he’s hiding, only his eyes visible. “Gods above, you really do enjoy jumping out of corners to startle a girl, don’t you?”

He chuckles, and the sound is hollow and strange, and yet oddly enticing. “Not trying to startle you. It’s not my fault you can’t see in the dark.”

“Mm. I still think you’re doing it on purpose.” I set my pillow atop the sled, along with the blanket. There are no more trunks left, after all. There’s junk on the top floor, but after that, I’m out. The sled is my final resort. Once I have to break it down for wood, I’ll know I’m truly in danger. For now, just knowing that it’s there is comforting. “Have you come to chastise me again? Remind me that I’m not to touch your things? Because I’m not.”

“I heard you talking to your fool of a lover,” he says. “And I wanted to remind you that we are both trapped here. He cannot free you, and I won’t let you leave. It’s best if he forgets you entirely.”

Such words of encouragement. “He’s not going to forget me,” I say, lifting my chin in a show of defiance. “Balon loves me. He’s not forgotten about me despite the fact that everyone else at court has. And besides, I don’t want him to forget me. Why should I listen to you?”

“Because seven years is a long time to be alone.”

His words are simple, but devastating. My happy mood vanishes, and I’m left feeling like a hollow shell. Seven years is a long time. It feels like forever. It might as well be forever. “Thanks for that. I was in a bad mood earlier and now I’m in a worse one. You’re not very good company, you know that?”

“I know.”

Hmph.

It’s silent in the large, echoing chamber, but I don’t feel alone. I know he’s still in the shadows, watching me. Waiting for…something? “What’s your name?” I ask impulsively. When it remains quiet, I add, “So I can quit calling you ‘that damned Fellian’ when I think of you.”

“Do you think of me?”

“As little as possible.”

That elicits a laugh from the shadows. “Nemeth. I am called Prince Nemeth of the First House of Darkfell, Princess Candromeda Vestalin.”

So he knows my name. Is it because he’s researched the Vestalin line or because he’s overheard me talking to Balon? I don’t suppose it matters. “You can call me Candra.”

“You can call me Prince Nemeth,” he replies, and I could swear I hear amusement in his voice before he fades out and I’m alone in the room once more.