Chapter 4
Rayner wasn’t sure what he had done to garner the attention of the Fire Prince, but he knew better than to speak first in these types of situations.
If he was going to be accused of something, he didn’t want to implicate himself for the wrong thing.
If he was going to be asked something, he didn’t want to give any illusion that he was the type of male who took part in friendly conversation.
“You are an incredibly difficult Fae to track down,” the Fire Prince said, that arrogant smirk kicking up even more.
Rayner didn’t say anything in reply. Just continued to stare at him from beneath his hood. He twisted in his seat at the sound of another chair being dragged over before a female plopped unceremoniously into it. She huffed loudly, crossing her arms, a red-gold braid hanging over her shoulder.
“How do you even know it is him?” the female drawled, signaling the barkeep for a mug of ale.
“I have eyes in my city,” the prince answered, golden eyes still fixed on Rayner.
He held in his scoff of amusement. Eyes in his city.
Fae were naturally stealthy. Light on their feet.
Keen senses. But few could move as he did.
Few could hide in the ashes and hear things not meant to be overheard.
Only the Wind Walkers were comparable, the winds carrying secrets to them.
But the only known Wind Walker had recently been killed in a war he didn’t care about.
It was yet to be seen if her daughter would be blessed with the gift.
“Lower your hood,” the prince said.
“I’d rather not,” Rayner returned, and the prince’s brow arched.
“Do you know who I am?”
“Of course I know who you are.”
The smirk became a full grin now. “Good. Then a formal introduction on my end is unnecessary.” When Rayner said nothing, he pressed, “Am I to simply call you what you are then, or will you deign to share your name?”
“What do you think I am?”
The Fire Prince leaned in closer, his voice dropping low. “I think you are someone who sees and hears everything, yet is never seen himself,” he answered, echoing Rayner’s thoughts from moments ago. “I have been trying to find you for over a decade.”
“I think you have mistaken me for someone else, your Highness.”
“Sorin,” he said. “Call me Sorin, and I am certain I have not mistaken anything. I rarely make such errors.”
Arrogant prick.
Silence fell among them as the barkeep arrived again, placing a mug down in front of the female.
He also placed a glass of amber liquor in front of Sorin.
When Sorin held out more coin to the male to cover the drinks, the barkeep tried to decline.
He said the drinks were on the house, but Sorin insisted, shoving far more coin than required into the male’s hand.
Rayner watched the exchange curiously. The female’s grey eyes flicked to the prince for a moment before she picked up her mug and took a deep drink without a word of gratitude.
The prince didn’t seem to care. His attention already settled back on Rayner.
He seemed to sense Rayner’s question despite not being able to see his face.
“I would introduce her to you, but it seems unfair for you to know both our names when we do not know yours,” Sorin said.
“She is your consort then?” Rayner asked.
The female spluttered, choking on the drink she’d just taken.
Sorin looked at her with amusement as she continued to cough around the ale she’d undoubtedly swallowed wrong. “No. She is not my consort. She is a sentry in my armies with a foul temper who gets into all sorts of trouble if she is not watched over.”
Red splotches appeared on the female’s cheeks.
Not embarrassment, but fury. Rayner would recognize that type of rage on anyone.
Honestly, he had to commend her for holding her tongue.
He had a feeling it was only because she didn’t wish to disrespect the prince in a public setting.
She didn’t strike him as someone who would care about offending him otherwise.
But he’d watched enough people from the ashes over the decades to recognize that something was fractured in the female.
That she may be harsh and ill-tempered, but she was also barely hanging on.
Somehow the prince was helping her keep it all together, not as a consort as he stated, but as … something.
Something he’d never had before. What would it be like to simply have people in your life who didn’t want something from you?
Didn’t matter. He didn’t need others. They got in the way of what he needed to do.
“I have a problem,” Sorin said.
There it was. Back to being sought out because someone wanted something from him.
The prince probably desired help in this war that had been playing out for centuries.
Rayner knew the prince’s parents had been killed by Queen Esmeray a few years ago, but Rayner had been unconcerned with the war.
He had his own war to wage. The people of this continent could fight and kill each other all they wanted.
He had other things to hunt down and kill.
“You are the Fire Prince with multiple resources at your disposal,” Rayner answered.
“Yes, but they are all proving to be ineffective.”
“I do not care about this war.”
Sorin waved a dismissive hand. “We are all breathing easier since Queen Eliné and Queen Henna put up the wards to keep out those who wish our people harm. Plus, I have other people at my disposal for that, as you said. They are quite effective at their jobs. My people wish to return to their normal lives after decades of war.”
Rayner still didn’t care, but he was rather intrigued at this point. When he didn’t respond, Sorin took it as a sign to continue with his request.
“There is a thief in my Court. One that has proven even harder to track down than you. I have been receiving complaints of large amounts of coin and other valuables mysteriously going missing.”
Rayner scoffed. “I am sure the wealthy will survive the loss of a little coin.”
“Yes, but while the thief does seem to target the elite, they do not appear to discriminate either. Only the poorest of my Court seem to be left alone from what we can tell over the decades.”
“Decades?” Rayner repeated.
Sorin nodded, face going serious. Gone was the slight smirk and arrogance.
In its place was what one would expect the Fire Prince to look like.
Embers flickered in his golden irises at the fury he felt on behalf of his people.
This was a prince who did whatever was required of him to fight for those in his charge.
“Yes,” Sorin answered. “As I said, our efforts have proven fruitless. The thief does not seem to have any pattern. One report comes in from Threlarion, the next from a village nestled in the Fiera Mountains. Then one comes in from Solembra, with the next near the mortal border.”
“The port city as well, I am assuming?” Rayner asked.
“Oddly, no. Aelyndee is the one place no one has reported any theft. There is theft there, of course, but from what we can tell, it is not this particular thief.”
That was odd. One would think the docks full of goods would be a prime location for such thieving.
“I would pay you for your time and expertise, of course,” Sorin continued. “Whatever resources I have would be at your disposal.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I have my own matters to tend to,” Rayner said, reaching for his mug.
“Anything I can offer assistance with?”
Rayner blinked at the prince, not that he could see him with his hood still in place. “What?”
“These tasks you have. Can I be of assistance in any way?”
“I do not exchange favors or work.”
“Understood. I am not offering under such assumptions. I would offer my assistance even if I was not seeking your help,” Sorin answered, sipping at his liquor.
That … didn’t seem right. No one simply offered services without expecting something in return. Not that the prince could help anyway. No one could help him with this task. You had to carry the brand to find the entrance to the cliffs, and then there was navigating the various levels.
“Again, I appreciate the offer, but I do not think there is much you can do to assist me.”
The prince’s brows rose. “You understand I am the sitting Royal? I have numerous resources at my disposal. Relations with other Courts. Relations with other territories, including the Shifters.”
“As I said, I do not think there is much you can do to assist me.”
Sorin sat back in his chair, his golden stare intense as he tried to peer beneath the hood. “What will it take to convince you to aid me in this matter?”
“Respectfully, I decline any and all offers.”
The female huffed a snort of amusement, and Sorin sent her a look that said he was not impressed.
He sat in silence for a few moments, appearing to be debating something internally, before he said, “Whenever you complete your tasks, find me. I trust you will be able to track me down. And if you find you could use my assistance after all with those tasks … Well, again, you know how to find me.” Sorin stood, tossing a purse of coin onto the table.
“Consider it an advance if you decide to take me up on my offer, and if not …” He shrugged.
“Consider it compensation for your time today.”
“I don’t need it,” Rayner said, trying to shove the coin purse back at him, but Sorin was already stepping away from the table, the female moving with him.
Sorin shrugged again, looking back over his shoulder. “Then give it to someone who does, Ash Rider.”
“Rayner,” he called after him when he’d taken a few more steps, unsure why he was suddenly offering up his name. “My name is Rayner.”
Sorin looked back again and nodded, the arrogant smirk ghosting over his lips once more. He turned back to the female, and Rayner heard him say, “I will get you a portal back to the palace. I have to meet with Eliné.”
The Fae Queen.
How had Rayner forgotten that the Fire Prince was also the Fae Queen’s Second?
The Fae Queen was powerful, and rumor had it, she had access to some ancient magic. Power that had long ago disappeared from this world.
Rayner lurched to his feet as he called, “Fire Prince.”
Sorin turned once more, a brow raised in question.
“Perhaps there is something you can assist me with after all.”