Chapter Thirty-Eight
“Lord Katai Gral to see His Majesty,” I said to the gate guard.
“A human?” The guard—a Brandva man—snorted a laugh. “I don't think so.”
“Just tell him I'm here. He will see me.”
The Brandva narrowed his eyes at me and then glanced at Eliel's huddled form. His stare started to shift to the left.
Vasren leaned forward and snarled, “Tell King Raventar that Katai Gral is here!”
The Brandva drew back. “Oh yes, sir!” He waved us into the courtyard. “Go on in. I'll send a messenger.”
The guard ran ahead of our carriage and up the grand stairs of the royal palace. It was late, and we'd probably be disturbing the Dragon King, but I was hoping he'd forgive the intrusion after he heard what I had to say.
The guard went to one of the uniformed Deldin men at the main doors and gestured to our carriage as he spoke. The Deldin rushed inside, and the Brandva came down the steps to meet us.
Leaning in the window, he said, “Please wait here. Someone will be back soon to escort you to His Majesty if he agrees to see you.”
“Very good. Thank you,” I said.
It didn't take long for the Deldin man to return and open our carriage door. “My lords, if you will follow me?”
I got out and looked over my shoulder. “Eliel?”
“The Dragon King?” Eliel whispered, his wings rustling. “That's your friend?”
“Yes, and he's a good man.”
Vasren growled.
“Vas, I need you to trust me.”
“I do. I just don't trust him.”
I rolled my eyes. “Great, now you've scared Eliel.” I waved at the cowering Lelurra.
“Fuck,” Vas grumbled and then sighed. “He won't hurt you, Eliel. I am a recently mated Dragon and I don't trust any Dragon males around my mate.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Eliel, King Raventar will protect you. There is no safer place for you to be than in the royal palace.” I held my hand out to him. “Please trust me.”
Eliel took my hand and climbed out of the carriage.
The Deldin watched us with wide eyes, but then bowed and led Eliel and me into the palace. Thank all the Gods, Vas kept his promise and stayed in the carriage.
Through the entry hall we strode, past darkened rooms and up a set of stairs. There were few people about—mostly staff and some courtiers boasting loose collars and half-fastened pants. But the Deldin behaved as if it were midday and we were proper guests of the King's.
At last, he waved us into a parlor with bare sandstone walls, pale leather couches, and an open balcony. My stare went straight to the balcony where the massive form of the Dragon King of Tabaa lurked, half-hidden by shadow. The man certainly liked lurking on balconies.
As the Deldin shut the door behind us, I bowed to the dark shape. “Your Majesty, I'm so sorry to disturb you at this late hour.”
“Have you run away from your knight again, Katai?” the dark shape drew closer.
“Not at all, Your Majesty. But I do wish to thank you for pushing us together that night.”
“I don't know what you mean.” The Dragon King smirked. “But I'm glad you settled things with your lover.” He sniffed deeply. “Ah, so I was right. You are his mate.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Chuckling, King Raventar stepped into the room and into the light.
Eliel gasped and went still beside me. I glanced at him, saw the fascination that had overwhelmed his fear, and smiled to myself. Perfect. Now, if only the King . . . ah, yes. He's spotted Eliel now.
“What has happened?” King Raventar rushed to Eliel. “Who did this to you?”
Eliel stared up into the King's face—prey frozen by the stare of a predator. Thanks to his immortality, the swelling in his eye had gone down, but his face still bore bruises, and his wing would take longer to heal. At last, he whispered, “A very bad man held me captive.”
“This is Eliel, Your Majesty,” I said. “He's part of the reason I've come.”
But the King was already escorting Eliel to a couch, his hand bracing Eliel's waist. I chuckled to myself as I watched them. Eliel would be safe indeed. Maybe more than that. And what could be better for getting him over an evil man than a good one?
“You will tell me who this man is, and I will destroy him,” the King vowed.
“He's dead,” Eliel whispered. “I killed him. Tonight.”
“Good!” He stroked Eliel's cheek. “Then I will see to your recovery. You must stay here while you heal.” He got up and strode to the door, past me.
After flinging the door open, the King shouted into the corridor, “Get me a chiurgeon now!” When he turned around, he finally noticed that I was still there—smirking at him. “Katai! Oh, um.”
“Yes, he's lovely, isn't he?” I grinned wider. “I hoped you might look after him until he feels strong enough to go home.”
“Go home?” The Dragon King scowled.
I lifted my eyebrows.
He cleared his throat, glanced at Eliel, and then leaned close, turning to block Eliel from our conversation. “What happened to him? Tell me!”
“A depraved Hulfrin criminal, banished from his clan for terrible experiments, has been living in your city, Your Majesty. He even became a member of your court. I followed a trail of missing people and bones here.”
“Bones?”
“Yes.” I pulled Bara's record book out of my coat and handed it to him.
“His name was Lord Bara Vanculf. Here is a record of the sales of his terrible merchandise. He was using the bones of people to create silk that held their magic—cloaks that made the wearer invisible and ribbons that enslaved those who wore them.” I nodded toward Eliel.
“Lord Bara enslaved Eliel. I don't know how long he was Bara's captive, but I was able to free him tonight. And—”
“Wait. Hold on. Let me . . . cloaks and ribbons with magic from bones?”
“Yes, you'll find the proof of it in Bara's basement. The moths and bones and all of that. I suggest you free the moths and burn the rest. You do not want this getting out. In this book are the names of Bara’s customers. They don't know the process he used, but they will have illegal items and possibly enslaved people. We freed many slaves tonight, but there may be more we missed. You’ll know them by the white ribbons on their wrists. The masters will be wearing matching ribbons stained with the blood of their slaves. Eliel knows what to look for. He’s familiar with all of Bara’s inventions.
” I glanced at Eliel. “He's broken in more ways than the physical, King Raventar.
I know you can help him. Please look after him.
Help him heal. I think if you take him with you to free any remaining captives and collect the illegal items, it will help him feel stronger.
It's important for him to regain control of his life.” I laid a hand on the King's chest. “But be gentle with him.
He's lived through a nightmare, and there will be echoes of it to deal with.”
“I understand.” King Raventar looked down at the book and then turned to look at Eliel.
Eliel was staring at us, his broken wing hanging over his left shoulder. “I don't want to be a burden.” He stood up. “I am not your responsibility, Your Majesty. I will find somewhere of my own where I can stay until I feel better.”
“You are not a burden!” The King rushed over to take Eliel's hand.
“You are one of my subjects and have suffered at the hands of a criminal I allowed into my city.
That does indeed make me responsible. I want you to stay.
I want to see to your recovery, and I'll need your help to find others like you.” He held up the book.
“Others?” Eliel looked over at me.
“I don't know if we freed everyone tonight. But if there are more captives, it might help to have you there when they're freed. You understand what they've been through.”
Eliel lifted his chin, his shoulders straightening despite the broken wing. “I will help them. You can count on me, Katai. I will finish your work here.”
“Thank you.” I inclined my head to him. “I will rest better knowing you are helping the King.”
“Your Majesty.” A human man stood in the open doorway. “You called for me?”
“Yes, Lord Tetuan. Here is your patient.” The King waved at Eliel. “See to him.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
As the chiurgeon went to work, King Raventar stepped back and watched, his expression intense.
I cleared my throat to gain his attention. “Your Majesty, I must leave. I'm returning to Rushao tonight.”
The King glanced at me. “What? Oh, yes, of course.” He shook my hand. “Thank you, Katai.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” I bowed.
“Katai?” Eliel tried to stand, but the chiurgeon gently urged him back down.
I smiled at him. “It will be hard, but you must let go of the past. I promise you, your future will be so much better.”
Eliel glanced at Raventar. “Yes, I believe you're right. I just . . . Katai Gral, I will forever be in your debt. Thank you.”
“There is no debt. I do this in honor of my family, who were once victims like you. You are my tribute to their memory.”
“Then I will honor the Gral family in my prayers.” He set his hand on his chest and bent his head. “May all the Gods watch over you and guide you in your good work.”
“May they watch over you as well, Eliel.” I turned to bow to the King and then walked away feeling lighter than I had in years.
The ghosts of my past hadn't been satisfied with vengeance.
I understood that now. What good was ridding Serai of a few murderers when more horror seeped into the vacuum?
It was this that calmed their cries—the rescue of the living, the rallying of the righteous, and the continued battle against evil.
Or maybe it wasn't ghosts that motivated me anymore. The image of Eliel's beaten face looking up at the Dragon King with hope would stay with me always. It would encourage me when I faltered and drive my ghosts away. Yes, I wanted to honor my family, but this work was mine now. All mine.
And my next target was a spider.