30. Keldarion
30
Keldarion
M y wet hair falls over my shoulders as I make my way up from the hot springs. I’m finally cleansed of that monster’s blood.
I don’t regret it, even though Quellos saw my truth. This will be the utmost test of his loyalty. His claims of uncertainty about the frost seemed sincere, and it’s very likely I missed his summons while I was deep in the cold depression of my wolf. But will he send patrols to the border as I commanded now that he knows a beast rules his realm? Surely, after all of his years of loyal service to my family, he will find forgiveness for a beast.
Besides, I ordered him to have the Kryodian Riders investigate the situation. They are Winter’s elite squadron of mounted warriors, honed by years of rigorous training and harmoniously bonded with their steeds. I must have faith in the strength left in Winter.
Even the hot springs could not chase the weariness from my body. Dayton had stayed on the edge of the grotto, not giving me a moment’s peace. He was most likely bored since Farron had retired early, drained from the bargain. Ezryn had muttered something about guarding the grounds, voice shaky with rage.
And Caspian disappeared into his thorns.
“Excuse me, Master, move that firm ass.” I leap to the side as a woman with a large tray comes racing by. “Got to get this out while it’s hot.”
“Marigold?” I grumble before silently following her.
She disappears into Rosalina’s chambers. Laughter cascades from within. I stop at the entrance and peer through the crack in the door.
The room overflows with staff, all the friends Rosalina has made here. Marigold unloads the tray filled with cookies and hot chocolate. Rose grabs a mug and takes a sip, and Astrid giggles as she wipes whipped cream off Rosalina’s face.
On her couch, Paavak and Mandaria lounge with a tall stack of books. Flavia holds up outfit considerations for the Autumn Realm. Rosalina has a beautiful smile on her face. Despite the trials of earlier, she is still safe and happy here.
Her smile is mirrored tenfold in those around her. She brings light to the staff. I thought I had been doing the right thing sending her to the human world. But I had only brought her closer to a monster.
No, she must remain here. A new comfort settles in me. I saw firsthand today how my brothers would protect her with their lives. I feel the strange semblance of my own smile as I click Rosalina’s door shut and continue to my quarters.
Inside, I cross the icy expanse to my wardrobe. Reaching behind my back, I tug off my shirt, tossing it into a bin, then begin to undo the laces of my pants.
“Well, aren’t we eager?” a dangerously smooth voice says.
I whirl. There he is, lounging on my bed as if he belongs there.
“I told you to leave.”
Caspian raises up on the back of his arms, a frown on his lips. “Before dessert?”
“Get out,” I snarl, storming toward him.
“You smell delicious with all that wretch’s blood off you.” Caspian tilts his head back, black hair falling over his shoulder. He’s removed his jacket, now wearing only a simple shirt and trousers, the laces loose. “I wanted the honor of torturing him before he met his end.”
“It was Rosalina’s choice.”
“And your advisor’s fault,” Caspian says. “She longed to let me.”
“What are you doing here?” I lean against one of the bedposts. “You made your bargain.”
“But I haven’t gotten what I want.” His gaze is a brand. “Only you can give me that, Kel.”
My hand instinctively goes to my wrist, rubbing the bargain tattoo. “I’ll never give in.”
“Then you’ll never break your curse.”
“Isn’t that exactly what you want?” I turn away from him and walk to the fireplace. It hasn’t been lit in so long.
He looses a long, deep sigh. “Like that dim mind of yours could possibly comprehend what I want.”
I stack the logs, then grab a match and light the fire. Flames spurt up, filling the room with warmth. When I stand up, he’s still lying there. His arms are stretched high above his head, lifting his shirt to reveal his sharp hip bones.
“You were right,” I say.
He sits up in a whirl, a surprised, genuine smile on his face.
But I should know by now, nothing about him is genuine.
“What did you say, Keldarion?”
“That you were right.” I close the distance between us. “Rosalina did not need to awaken that darkness in her heart. At least not for this.”
“Oh, I love when you talk to me this way.” Caspian kneels on the edge of the bed, narrowing his dark gaze.
“You don’t hate her.”
“I could sneak some frogs into her bed if it would make you feel better. But I think she’d assume they were cursed staff and befriend them.”
I can’t help but laugh at the thought, and when I glance back down at Caspian, he’s giving me a peculiar look. “Maybe that icy heart of yours can be pierced.”
He’s being strange tonight. There’s a softness to him I haven’t seen in years. Though I know it’s an act, I can’t stop myself from asking the very question plaguing me. “What would you do if she came to you?”
He considers for a moment, then trails a hand along my torso before rising on his knees, his face almost parallel to mine. “Does it matter what I say, Prince? I could tell you what you want to hear. Or I could say your worst fear, that I’d seduce her until she begged me to fuck her into sweet oblivion.”
A rough growl emits from my throat, and my fists clench to resist the urge to throttle him. He gives a little sigh, then rests his arms over my shoulder. “It doesn’t matter what I say, you won’t believe me. And it won’t change your self-imposed celibate streak, will it now?”
I clench my teeth together. “You are infuriating.”
He chuckles, a hand drawing down my stomach again as he purrs, “Though, this isn’t the reaction I suspected you’d have. We could always—”
He stills completely before his hands begin to shake, eyes widening. His body spasms and convulses. An explosion of black sludge shoots from his mouth and onto my bare chest.
“Caspian!” I grab his shoulders, but he scrambles away, clutching the sheets of my bed. He heaves again as another deluge of blackness spills from his lips. His eyes water with darkness, sludge dripping from his nose.
After a heartbeat, he falls back, holding his stomach, body still trembling.
“Sorry,” he wheezes, voice hoarse. “I know you probably had these cleaned for the full moon.”
“How long have you been on the surface?”
“Only for dinner.” He shrugs.
“It used to take at least a month.”
He turns to me slowly, and there’s such sadness in his expression. Watery black tears mar his face. “It’s hard to help yourself when most of your power is going elsewhere.”
Now I notice the shuddering thorns. Bits of stone crumble to the ground. I should have considered it before: the Briar beyond, the countless twines around Castletree. How much magic is it taking from him?
Caspian is powerful, something I’ve always known. But no one is infinite.
Anger rushes within me, and I grab his shirt, not caring as his hands smear darkness over my arms. “Tell me why you’re doing this. Why corrupt a castle you’ll never be able to live in? Is it all for her ? For Sira?”
He weakly smacks my cheek. “Never say never, my dear Kel. Even you don’t know all the magic of the world. Why, all those years ago, did you ever imagine such a power to curse you?”
“You are mad.” He’s still trembling. He’s so weak. I could… I could kill him right now. Or I could trap him here and let death come for him on swift wings. But I only snarl, “Go back to the Below, Cas.”
He gives me a sad smile, then his head lolls forward, collapsing onto my shoulder as briars rise around him. “See you in two moons. If you want to send me an early present, I won’t complain.” The last of him to disappear is his hand touching my wrist, where his mark still brands me.
He disappears, and I am alone, my sheets and body stained with darkness.
I should have killed him and freed myself. Then I could finally break the curse.
I’d told Rosalina I’d let the entire Enchanted Vale turn to ash for her. But what I can never admit is that I started the fire for him.