39. The Nightmare Prince
Chapter 39
The final day before we were to return to Klockglas was spent quietly. We walked through the palace gardens, ate by a small creek that wove through the forest. Skadi showed me where part of the trees scorched with a fire Livia started during the start to the battles between elven and fae.
Already trees were shedding the blackened bark and deadened limbs in large chunks, like they knew how to heal their own wounds.
The king had sent a missive to his granddaughter, asking if she would care for a farewell feast. Irritation that the king could not find the time to speak to her personally was there, but kept trapped behind my teeth.
Skadi responded with a firm decline I quickly praised with a few lascivious touches.
Natthaven was fascinating and lovely. I took pride watching Skadi go on about her folk and the forest and the swamps, the light in her eyes always poured out when we were free from the confines of the palace.
In these walls, she was more somber, more reserved. Most of our time was spent in libraries or our bedchamber.
The looks she was given, the hushed whispers that followed her, I was keen to steal her away back to Klockglas early.
More and more it was clear to me, the Dokkalfar people were taught to fear their princess without truly speaking to her, and I didn’t understand why.
Skadi peered out the nearby window. “Grandfather might insist we take a whole entourage to the sea tomorrow.”
I closed the book in my lap and tapped Skadi’s ankle with my toe. “Are you disappointed to be leaving?”
Skadi nestled closer to my side on the velvet sofa, twisting my hair around her fingers. “This was where I once lived, it is a palace, a house, but a house does not make a home.” She hesitated. “It makes little sense, but I feel more at home in your cold, misty, devious alver lands than I ever did in this palace.”
“My father will weep with joy when he learns you think his kingdom is devious.” I laughed and kissed her quickly. “I am glad you feel like it is home, Fire. I hope you always do.”
Before I could kiss her again, Dorsan entered the chamber. “Forgive the intrusion, but the king has summoned Prince Jonas. As agreed, each visit to the isle will conclude with a report on the alliance.”
I let out a sigh. Part of me hoped the elven king might forget that part. I stood and squeezed Skadi’s hand. “See you soon, Fire.”
“Tell him what a remarkable wife I’ve been, Nightmare.”
“Ah, then do not plan to see me for days. If I begin to announce your qualities, I will not be able to stop.”
She snickered. “Such a bawdy mouth in one moment, then so sweet the next. I do not know what to do with you, Jonas Eriksson.”
“Oh, you do, Wife.” I paused at the door. “You have proven how well you handle me, night after night, after night, after?—”
“Gods, go.” She waved me away. “Dorsan is right there.”
“Well, he will be the first to hear all my praise of you then.”
I wasn’t certain, but I thought the somber, infallible elven guard almost smiled.
At the bottom of the stairwell were two guards. One was the sod who always looked at Skadi like he should never be alone with her in the dark. The guard who subtly insulted her after the vows.
There was something wrong with him, an instinct, a tell in his eyes. I wasn’t certain why, but I did not want him near my wife.
“He is never alone with her,” I murmured to Dorsan. “Understand me?”
The guard nodded. “Cian will always have a fellow guard should he ever be assigned to the princess’s chamber, but she will always be with Lady Cara if you are absent. I’ve already seen to it.”
“Good man.” I clapped Dorsan on the shoulder, not missing the way Cian watched us pass, like he might be thrilled to see my eyes fall from my skull.
Bastard.
At the king’s study, Dorsan opened the door, and held his genuflect until I was inside the room.
Flames of a strange emerald and blue snapped in the inglenook. In these seas, this near the Ever Kingdom, fire gleamed in strange colors. Air was different, warmer, richer, but I had few doubts if Natthaven drew closer to Klockglas the flames would burn in gold and red.
The study was draped in fine white furs, black velvet curtains, and a wide mahogany desk with crystal inkwells and silver quills.
“Ah, Prince Jonas.” Eldirard rose from behind a long desk carved to look like thick tree trunks. “Welcome. Please, sit.”
Eldirard didn’t stride, he floated. Shoulders back, spine in a straight line, I could not match the Dokkalfar king in his elegance.
When my parents made official declarations to our kingdom, Sander and I wrestled at their feet when we were small, then most ended with laughter and too much br?n in taverns at the expense of the king if his people vowed not to make him do another appearance for at least two turns.
I was taught to feather step, like a thief in the shadows. Otherwise, I stalked, prowled, whatever it was, my steps were not floating.
Eldirard tossed the cloak from his shoulders, draping it over the back of a sofa, and went to a carafe of elven wine on a tray atop a small table. “Care for a drink?”
“No, thank you.” I sat in the chair nearest the fire. “I learned during the vow feast, elven wine does not settle well in my head.”
The king laughed, low and deep in his chest. “It is quite potent.”
Eldirard took the seat across from me. The man showed most of his age in the corners of his eyes and forehead, but his face had a stern wisdom about it. Not old, but neither was he young. His body had the shape of a warrior once, but had gone trim and lean over the turns of peace.
For a long, aggravating pause, the king merely studied me over the trim of his glass as he drank.
“You seem much more at ease around Skadinia, Highness.”
“Jonas, sire. Jonas will be fine.” I matched where he placed his hand on his elven blade and rested a palm on the hilt of my own. “And yes, her company is easy to enjoy.”
“So she is complying to your ways?”
“Gods, I hope not.” I chuckled, but Eldirard didn’t smile. I cleared my throat. “What I mean is I don’t ask for compliance. I ask for sincerity; I ask for her to be her. That is the company I value—just her.”
“I wasn’t certain what to expect when I saw you again.” The king swirled his dark wine. “But to see you and my granddaughter so cordial was a surprise.”
The chair groaned when I leaned back. “Would you rather we detest each other?”
“I always prefer Skadinia to have few worries in her life. Although, I do think it will pain her for a time if this vow is recanted.”
“Recanted?”
The door to the king’s study opened again. Eldirard looked over my shoulder, face as stone. “Ah, Gerard. You’ve come to join us.”
I spun around, ice in my veins, and met the pompous glare of King Gerard. Like Eldirard, the Ljosalfar king had silken hair, but the color of roasted chestnuts. His high, bony cheeks were lifted in a stupidly pious grin.
“Prince.” Gerard tilted his head in a greeting.
What the hells was going on?
I didn’t move, didn’t look away. Never take an eye off your mark. Daj taught his sons long ago how to hold an enemy in sight, how to study them, how to mark them until weaknesses broke through the cracks.
Gerard held a sleek walking stick in his far hand—likely his dominant. He had no limp; the stick was for aesthetic or a weapon. He was confident, looked down his nose at me.
He underestimated me.
Any thought I could form on the king rolled in my head. “What is this, King Eldirard?”
Skadi’s grandfather poured Gerard a flute of wine. “It is no secret Skadinia was once meant to unite the Dokkalfar and Ljosalfar clans.”
“Yes,” I said, casting a cautious look toward Gerard. “Until they attacked your palace and threatened to overrun the fae realms. Did you forget?”
Eldirard took another sip, chuckling.
So did Gerard.
The hair lifted on my arms.
King Gerard leaned onto his forearms on his knees. “You are a young prince. There are many court politics of elven clans that have been traditions since long before you were even a thought in this world.”
I met his stare. “I do not need to be aged to know I signed an agreement with my blood that united the Dokkalfar with the alver clans. Eldirard agreed.”
“I did.” Skadi’s grandfather returned his glass to the table and laced his fingers over his chest. “The legacy of being the first elven alliance with fae, it was more than I anticipated when Skadinia was found and brought to the palace.” The king sighed with a touch of whimsy. “I wanted fae lands, I received them by this agreement, but there was always the option of an alliance of the two elven clans. I told you of the condition of choice.”
“She has made her choice,” I snapped.
“And I am glad for it.” Eldirard gave me a look like I was a damn child. “Alas, I cannot deny the Ljosalfar not to attempt to reinstate the first alliance. Whichever way the Norns see fit to secure the legacy of House Naganeen, I must accept. Which is why I wanted to discuss whether you would be willing to sell your marital contract to King Gerard for his son? To simply avoid contention, of course. Don’t mistake me, we will still be allies, but this way you will not be required to be vowed.”
The king looked at me as though I ought to be gasping in awe. “Listen to me, King. I don’t give a shit what legacy is left behind for your house if the price is Skadi. She is my wife, and not chattel to be sold. If you allow anything to interfere with our vows, you will not only lose your coveted alliance with fae realms, but we will destroy you. There will be no House Naganeen.”
How could a man who had the opportunity to spend his days with Skadi think of her so callously? How could he not see that beautiful fire that burned in her eyes when her temper flared, when she laughed, when she teased?
King Gerard’s lip curled. “You forget yourself, young prince.”
“I do not. Your son’s mistreatment of Skadi forfeited his right to even breathe near her.” I looked at Eldirard. “Why are you allowing this?”
The king tilted his head. “I have no preference toward either alliance. Skadinia is welcome to choose, and you or the Crown Prince Arion are welcome to influence that choice. I would say you have a fine start since you are her husband.”
I bared my teeth. “And I will never break my oath to her.”
Gerard’s eyes darkened. “She is elven and belongs with her folk. She will become a queen of worlds, and you will get your peace. You cannot tell me you love the woman after so short a time.”
“I have no plans to tell you anything. Skadi is a queen of worlds as the alliance stands now. I am the heir to my kingdom, but she is now the heir apparent for the Dokkalfar.” I shot a look to Eldirard, daring him to refute the truth of our vow. “The light elves would force her to use her affinity in ways she despises. With us, that will never be a concern for her, so piss off.”
Gerard didn’t deny it. “I suppose we will merely wait until the princess returns on her own accord, or you fail to meet the terms of the agreement and the vows are dissolved naturally.”
“I will never give her reason to want to leave.”
“But you have a cruelty about you, don’t you, Prince?” The Ljosalfar king pinned me in a sneer. “It is only a matter of time before it forces your hand. I hoped it might’ve ended when poor Villi found his way to you. Unfortunate that the man sent himself to the gods.”
It felt as though a dozen fists pummeled my ribs. “Villi? The elven poisoner?”
Eldirard frowned at Gerard. “He was mad, and that act was not sanctioned. It might’ve harmed my granddaughter.”
“You sent one of your men to slaughter a royal household?” My blood felt heavy. Feverish.
“Of course not.” Gerard waved the notion away like it was foolish. “Villi was always infatuated with my son. He took it upon himself to retrieve the princess he viewed as stolen from the Ljosalfar. It was simply that no one discouraged him. If you’d have killed him, well, this would already be ended.”
Thoughts spun in a cobweb of hate and panic. I was clear-thinking, plotting the deaths of two kings, in one breath. In the next, I could not fashion the next moves.
Eldirard sighed. “I did not wish for such tensions.”
“Then you should not have allowed him into your palace. You will need to kill me before I will ever let the Ljosalfar near Skadi.”
“Take the land, Eldirard,” Gerard said, voice low. “Then tell the girl to return. She’s always listened to you.”
“Skadinia must choose for herself.” The Dokkalfar king sniffed. “So much was taken from her, it was my one demand—when it came to her future house, she would have a consideration.”
“Then strongly encourage her as you always have. The girl lives to please you.”
I was going to murder a king. “You underestimate her.”
Gerard scoffed derisively and removed a long scroll. He pointed to intricate designs along the edges. “I suppose we’ll leave her no choice and wait for you to destroy the alliance. Do you know how to read ancient elvish, Prince Jonas?”
The tips of my fingers went numb.
Gerard chuckled. “Our old language is clever and keeps the elven clans mysterious. Likely the reason most fae never knew of us. King Eldirard knew the condition of the princess changing her desires within the first turn was a common clause and a possibility. He also knew of the savagery of fae. Naturally, he saw to it there were protections in this alliance, but written in elder elvish, words that can only be summoned by a king’s touch.”
The more Gerard held to the contract, the more filigreed words took shape along the edges.
Shit. The entire alliance had terms and conditions my mother had not read. Good hells, she didn’t even know they were bleeding words.
Written plainly were causes for dissolution of the vows if any terms were disobeyed in the first turn of the union: no elven—Ljosalfar or Dokkalfar—could be harmed by our hand. If Skadi chose to leave to re-enter her original betrothal with Arion; her desire would take precedence. If she left, the Dokkalfar would still claim a portion of the alver kingdom. Doubtless a way for Eldirard to get his damn legacy of united elven clans and fae connections.
Unwittingly, I’d signed away portions of our lands in blood and gave way for the Ljosalfar to continue manipulating Skadi without repercussions.
“You said nothing of this when I signed,” I snapped at Eldirard.
“I was required to give any opportunity to see the terms. As I recall, your father refused my offer to read, to even touch the scroll, after your mother.”
Skadi would need to forgive me, I was going to kill the man who raised her. “Tell me, King Eldirard, did you have these additional conditions written in elvish because you heard things about my father? There is no possibility this is only a coincidence.”
The Dokkalfar king shrugged. “I did not wish to cause any alarm or misgivings. A clause of land transfer is common, Prince Jonas. But we did not yet know each other to gauge reactions, and I did not want it to seem like this was underhanded. Perhaps a few whispers from the sea fae palace—I believe your house is close with the Ever Queen—gave me the idea when it was suggested the alver king could not read.”
“He can read, you bastard.” I’d always been viciously defensive of my father’s struggle with the written word.
“It does not matter.” Gerard’s mouth curled into a cruel sneer. “The opportunity was given. Had a king held the contract and read it long enough, the words would have been summoned. Perhaps, you should’ve thought to insist the alliance be written completely in common tongue.”
I shot to my feet. “She is my wife and she always will be.”
Gerard’s cold eyes flashed. “It might not be your decision. Skadinia was once fond of my son, and I believe he is making amends as we speak. Odds are they will soon be paired, so it would make for simpler transitions if she did not hold any frivolous resentments.”
Dammit.
I reeled on Eldirard. “Arion is here? After everything he did, what sort of man are you?”
“A king, Prince.” Eldirard frowned. “A king who has been securing his peoples’ futures since a girl with a strange and powerful affinity was discovered.”
I was done listening to these bastards. In three strides, I was at the door.
One hand on the latch, the door half opened, and Eldirard stopped me. “Prince Jonas, this was not meant to be malicious, but I fear you have misread it all.”
“I have misread nothing. Your selfishness reigns beautifully over your care for your granddaughter.”
“I want Skadinia to have a choice should she no longer find solace in your lands, that is all.” The king hesitated. “Still, if you see this as a betrayal, I ought to let you know, you may wish to send word to your people, perhaps to the savage sea folk, but you cannot. There are wards around the isle for the week you are here. Then you may scream and hate all you desire, but it will not change what you signed with your blood.”
I looked over my shoulder, jaw tight enough I was convinced my teeth would shatter.
Eldirard softened his features. “Do not fret, young prince. If she reconnects with Arion, you will still have an alliance with elven clans. Her affinity would still not harm your people.”
I’d walked the lot of us into a wretched lie. “I’ll never give her a reason to desire that light elven bastard. One turn, then your hooks have no power over us. One turn and you will come to regret allowing them back into her presence.”
Eldirard stood. “Whatever you think of me, I do want what is best for Skadinia.”
“You want what is best for you.” Throat tight, I spoke through the grit. “You’ve always seen her as a woman to strengthen your power, haven’t you? If you had taken even a moment to see who she is inside, to see her eyes light up when she reads folktales, or when she laughs, then you would know you were in the presence of the most beautiful heart.”
For a moment his stony exterior cracked, there was almost a glimmer of remorse, there and gone. “If you will not see reason, then remember yourself here. Harm an elven—especially a prince—and Skadinia does not leave here with you.”
My shoulders heaved, the room dimmed as my eyes blackened. I faced the two kings, enjoying how they flinched at the sight of my mesmer. “We have a saying amongst our clans when someone has wronged us: you have been marked, Kings, and we never lose sight of our marks.”
Without another word, I darted from the room straight into Dorsan’s chest.
“Prince Jonas.” He dipped his head.
I nudged him forward. “Hurry, you sod. Skadi has need of us.”