Chapter 41 – Vale #2
“And who are the others?” he asked. “I assume they’re important, as they’re here.”
“I’m Thantrel Riis. Son of the disgraced Lord of Tongues.”
“And this,” Magnus leaned forward and gestured to érebo, “is someone who has experience with Isolde and her sister. Someone who could, if you work with us, change the face of Isila. A fae who would ally with you in return once we win.”
King érebo stood and removed his robe. Black, smoky wings fanned out, revealing what race of fae he belonged to.
The mage shot to his feet, and magic hummed in the air. An attack imminent.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Rhistel drawled. No doubt they’d all planned and expected this. “You might be the strongest of your kind, but between érebo, my father, Vale, and myself, we can take you down in an instant.”
“I allowed you into my home, and you brought this abomination?” The mage sneered.
“I prefer to be called King érebo of the Shadow Fae.”
King Tyra’s eyes sparked with instant recognition. “You shouldn’t be alive.”
“It’s true,” érebo replied.
“You’re the same king who sought to take over my kingdom. All of them.” He glared at Magnus. “You’re a fool for working with him.”
“I did all of that at the wish of my queen,” King érebo replied. “Surely you understand appeasing your wife? From what I hear, you’ve had enough of them to have learned a thing or two.”
Three. Tyra took the fourth only earlier this turn.
The mage’s magic thrummed in the air, a threat. “I’m to believe that you did not wish for more land? More power? That you started a war and intended to start more to please a female?”
érebo shrugged. “I’m fae. So I’ll admit, the power influenced me too, but it all started with my queen.
And I’m sure you can imagine that many turns trapped in a tree have changed me.
” The Mage King’s eyes widened at that, but the Shadow Fae didn’t give him time to question what he meant.
“My imprisonment altered my priorities. I would settle for revenge against the Falks. That and finding a means to return my race to Isila. To the isles we once called home.” King érebo’s gaze drifted to the single window in the room, as if he were looking for those people.
“We intend for this alliance to continue after the present war,” Rhistel added. “King érebo will not harm the winter fae again, and the mages could be included in that bargain. And anyone who might threaten us would have to deal with the might of three kingdoms.”
I wanted to laugh. To call my brother and King Magnus a fool for believing such things, but I was shackled to silence. Instead, I observed the mage. How he studied érebo. How he weighed my twin’s words.
“My story is one of legend,” the Shadow Fae continued. “Shall I tell it to you, and what I hope for Isila—after we win this war?”
And there it was; a shift to building trust. As much as one could with a Shadow Fae.
“I will hear you out.” The mage’s magic in the room dwindled somewhat. “But first, let me call for more wine.”
Hours slipped by in that dank room. Hours during which the kings and the prince spoke and Thantrel and I stood by, listening. Pretending to guard.
My calves ached from remaining in one spot. My muscles thrummed with the plans the rulers shared. Their dreams of a newly shaped realm. All of them involved the death of my mate.
If the High King of Mages considered it odd that Thantrel and I barely moved and never spoke, he said nothing. Perhaps silence would be expected of someone like me, a spare heir and a warrior. I was not a real power unless I was backed by those loyal to me. And those fae were very far away.
“Shall we make an oath then?” King Magnus asked when the conversation came to a lull.
“I must admit, the idea of an alliance is enticing. My kingdom has not had one in so very long,” the mage spoke as if that wasn’t his own damned fault. “However, I sense you have not told me everything that I should know.”
The words landed heavily, and the other rulers tensed. For so long, the discussion had trended in a productive direction.
“Meaning?” Magnus asked.
“You see, mages, unlike fae, can develop new magical talents well into adulthood, and I am no exception. In recent turns, I have been learning how to sense magics. It gives me an advantage in many scenarios. Such as this one.” He smirked.
“The Shadow Fae has come as a surprise, I’ll admit.
And I know nothing of Thantrel Riis, but I’m well aware of what magics you, Prince Rhistel, and Prince Vale wield.
However, there’s an odd thread of magic connecting you, Rhistel, to Vale and Thantrel. ”
“Oh?” Rhistel tried to keep his tone neutral and failed.
“It’s a magic I’ve not singled out before,” the mage slowly rolled out his neck. “Powerful. Perhaps a secret?”
Rhistel stared at the mage. “You seem to have an inclination. Why don’t you just ask? My kind cannot lie.”
The king snorted as he gestured to the Shadow King. “His entire race can. Others have forgotten, but not me. So tell me, Prince Rhistel, what power are you hiding? What magic have you turned on these two?” He gestured to me, then Thantrel. “If you wish for my backing, you will tell me now.”
Hope ripped through me. Rhistel’s whispering magic was his most closely guarded secret. If he had planned to reveal it, he would have wanted to do so on his terms.
“Tell him, son.” Magnus cleared his throat. “It will get out soon anyhow with that whore knowing.”
“I want a promise of protection first,” Rhistel said to the mage. “A guard of your kind because fae will not like what I am. Attacks might come my way, but most fae are not used to fighting off mages.”
“That can be arranged. I have many powerful children who would come, thinking they can sway me into naming them as heir.” King Tyra spoke as if his children were idiots.
Rhistel gave a single nod, and if I didn’t know him so well, I’d think he was calm and collected. Confident. But the telltale signs to the contrary were there. The tension in his hands. The tightness of his neck.
“I’m a whisperer. I have my brother and Thantrel under my control. Many in the armies are loyal to Vale, and he is Isolde’s mate. Thantrel is Thyra’s mate.”
The mage smirked. “I thought that might be your power. And now I have one more stipulation.”
Rhistel blinked, clearly shocked by the lack of emotion the mage showed. But then again, why would he? All mages could lie. The king had only wanted to put all the nuchi cards on the table.
“Which is?” Rhistel asked.
“You will take one of my daughters as your queen, and you will do so before you leave my land. Marriage between our kingdoms is the only way I can trust you.” The mage turned his gaze to the Shadow King. “The same goes for your line.”
“I know not if anyone in my line lives on,” King érebo said. “But if they do, you have my word.”
“That will have to do. Magnus?” the mage went over Rhistel’s head, right to the king, who nodded.
“My son will wed a mage daughter.”
Rhistel’s mouth fell open. “Do I not have a say?”
“Not if you want to win this war,” Magnus said.
“I will give you your pick of princesses.” Tyra shrugged one shoulder. “I have many daughters around your age. Older and younger too. Whatever you prefer.”
“I prefer not to be forced,” Rhistel muttered, and not for the first time, I got the sense that he had someone. Maybe not someone he loved, but someone he cared enough for that he did not wish to wed another.
“You will do your duty.” Magnus stood. “Now, let’s see to getting my son wed so the oaths can be formally taken.”