Chapter 19 – Vale
VALE
We rode deep into the night and whiled the hours away by catching everyone up on what had happened in their absence. All secrets, save for my true parentage, had been divulged, and as we set up camp for the night, I could feel that final and most important secret climbing up my throat.
I wished to tell the Riis brothers most of all but Rynni’s presence among my group of friends gave me pause.
I glanced at the healer, tending to Caelo as the rest set up our camp for the night.
While I trusted the dragon-fae to follow her oath and mend me, my mate, and my best friend, this was different.
This was the sort of information that one would profit from.
Information that would turn the realm on its head.
It would endanger my mother. My twin, too, though I was of a split mind there.
Back at Frostveil, Rhistel had threatened my mate, tried to force himself upon her, and before all that, he’d hurt me many times. And yet, he was my twin. We’d shared a womb, been born as close as siblings could be, and when we were still young I thought we were destined to be friends for life.
Against all odds, I’d always secretly hoped we’d one day come together and be as we once were as younglings. Outing our secret, however, would destroy him. After that, would there ever be a chance of us reconciling?
In many ways, at many junctures in my life, Rhistel had been a weakness for me. After all, families were complex, and mine was no exception.
If only I could speak to Rhistel first and give him time to choose his fate as I had. That could be enough. That and I’d love to ask him a few questions . . .
I’d been shocked to hear he was not to be betrothed to a Balik lady.
Before I left court, that had been King Magnus’s plan.
Such a change likely meant that the king had decided the great house of the south was untrustworthy.
Seeing as the Riis brothers claimed the Baliks had left court, the king seemed to have been correct.
“Prince! Come here, let me look at your injuries!” Rynni shouted through the trees.
I looked at Neve. She was still creating her clever shelters of ice and snow.
I’d not seen another fae make them, but those same shelters had saved many humans’ lives during our travels south, and they’d keep us alive and as warm as we could be tonight.
My mate must have felt me watching her, for she glanced my way and smiled.
No sweat poured down her brow, no appearance of tiring. Despite having ridden for hours, she was fine. No longer affected by our battle with the orcs.
“Don’t make me wait. It’s rude,” Rynni added, her tone riddled with annoyance.
I huffed. The healer might be skilled in her arts, but her bedside manner could use work.
I took a seat on a fallen tree next to the healer. Her eyes, a darker brown than mine, took in my face. “Those wounds are nearly healed. Show me your side and chest.”
I pulled off my cloak and began stripping off my many layered shirts.
Before we left Vitvik, Rynni had purchased extra clothes for everyone.
Now that we were heading to the seat of House Balik, we expected at least a week-long journey, and as Neve was the most wanted fae in the kingdom, we would not stop at inns, so we’d all rely on layering to remain warm.
The cold penetrated my skin. I shivered, thankful there was no wind today. A stroke of luck that we’d needed.
“Hmm.” Rynni leaned closer, taking in the wounds that she’d cleaned and sealed. “No tears from riding. That was what I was most worried about, but my work held well on you and Caelo.”
“And Neve?”
“She is better off than the both of you. The long sleep and blood regeneration potions did her much good.”
“You’re finished then?” I itched to pull my shirt back on.
“Apply the balm you carry before bed. I’m done with you for good, unless you hurt yourself again.”
I dressed. With my cloak back on, I turned matters to my own thoughts. “Rynni, I have something I wish to talk about.”
“Is this the secret you’re hiding?”
I blinked. “How did you know I had a secret?”
“Most fae do, but yours makes your neck tighten.” She chuckled and rubbed her hands together.
“I’ve worked with many bodies, Prince Vale.
I can tell when someone is holding something back.
It shows in their muscles and posture. The eyes too, though you seem to hide your secret well there.
Still, I’m willing to bet my future at the White Tower that you have a secret and it’s as large as a frost giant. ”
Try as large as a kingdom.
“It is. And I wish to share it with the people here, which is why I must ask you to perform an eiera with me before I share it.”
She blinked. “Will the others?”
I’d asked Caelo to do so, but only because at that time, I’d been a complete mess. The precaution had not been necessary. I’d only been trying to soothe myself.
Luccan and Duran were trustworthy members of my cabal, and while I was not as close to Arie and Thantrel, I was sure that once they knew I was a brother, they’d take that secret to the starry halls of the afterworld.
Anna and Clemencia were Neve’s best friends and harming me meant harming Neve.
That alone made me think Anna and Clemencia would never tell.
“I take that as a no,” Rynni let out a huff. “Is this a life-or-death secret?”
“It is.” I still was not sure what the king would do when he found out—for he would, eventually, find out. To strengthen Neve’s claim to the throne, I’d share this secret publicly, but the timing had to be right.
“Why do you think I’d share a dangerous secret when I need you to secure me a spot in the White Tower? If you’re dead, I’ve done all this for nothing.” She gestured to the surrounding woods.
“I must insist. I do not know you as well as the others.”
For a moment, she was silent, then Rynni reached out her arm. “Do it. I’ll swear on the power of the dead goddess Eirial.”
Seeing as this healer had no family, her goddess was likely the most precious bond to her.
I took her arm, pulled my power up, and I felt when she did the same, her warmer magic meeting my cold. Half dragon and Winterborn fae.
“On the power of the dead goddess Eirial, and your own magic by extension,” I started the vow. “Swear you will say nothing of what I’m about to tell you until I tell you it’s safe. You may only speak of it to those in this camp on this night, or your magical essence will be smothered to nothing.”
My magic surged, and Rynni tightened as the cold flooded her, but she cleared her throat and lifted her chin as she spoke. “I swear on the dead goddess of healing’s power and my own that I will keep your secret until you permit otherwise.”
As her warmer power rushed over me, an exhale parted my lips. I released, as did she, the bind set.
“So? What is it?” she asked.
“I’ll tell you with the rest of them.” I wasn’t about to tell Rynni before my brothers.
“Fair enough. Let’s go then.” She stood and stomped through the snow.
Neve leaned against a tree, taking a break from building our shelters for the night. Anna and Clemencia spoke with her, as the males blanketed the horses for the night.
“The prince has something to say,” Rynni called out before I could. “Gather round!”
The others did as she said, most of them with looks of interest on their faces. Only Neve and Caelo appeared calm, both likely sensing what I was about to say.
So once everyone came together, I got on with it. “I’ve been keeping something from most of you. Something I hope will be well received. I ask that you tell no one about this news. Not until I’m ready for the public to find out.”
As I’d guessed, the brothers, Anna, and Clemencia nodded vigorously. My heart warmed. Maybe I should have insisted on a binding promise from all of them, but deep down, I knew no one here would betray me.
“Thank you,” I said, and then paused. I’d thought about this moment for so long, but not the exact words I’d say. A dozen options ran through my mind.
The simplest explanation struck me as the best. “Back at Riis Tower, Lord Riis pulled me aside and told me he and my mother had an affair in the past. He’s my birth father. Rhistel’s too, obviously. So, I’m Vale Riis by blood, not Vale Aaberg.” My gaze strayed to Luccan. “I hope that’s alright?”
Neve let out a snort of a laugh that she covered up, though I barely noticed because the way Luccan’s face split into a smile, and Arie’s eyes widened, and Thantrel’s face took on a mischievous quality, made my stomach tighten.
I’d been quite certain they’d like this news. But I’d also have been lying if I said that some small part of me worried about it. To have me as a brother—me and Rhistel—changed dynamics.
Luccan swept me into a hug so tight it crushed my bones. “Bleeding skies, our father was a scamp, wasn’t he? We might need to have a talk with him about keeping it in his trousers!”
I laughed, and Arie and Thantrel joined us. They welcomed me to the family by hugging me and punching me in the shoulder the way brothers did. I cast a glance at Anna and Clemencia, both of whom were smiling. Not a problem.
My attention dragged to the healer. She stood back, lips parted in shock. When she caught my gaze, she inclined her head.
No matter that selling such a secret could change her life for the better, I’d ensured that the price was too high. She’d stay silent.
For now, I got to spend a few hours with my brothers, my truth out among friends.