Chapter 22 Ryder
RYDER
Scrawled on the ground in front of the castle gates, two single words glittered in still-wet crimson paint: Savage Sutton.
The crowd murmured, the weight of each piercing stare like a blade at my back.
With so many malleable minds watching, I steadied my breath, being careful not to make a scene.
Anxious energy thrummed through the capital.
If ever there was a time to keep my temper under control, it was then.
“Wow, Brother,” Leanna’s voice drawled at my side. “You must admit, they’re pretty brave to show their hatred for you so brazenly.”
“Perhaps they are speaking of you, Sister.” I kept my tone airy for eavesdropping ears. “We both carry the name, and you are the easier one to hate.”
“Oh, I think we know exactly who they’ve taken issue with.”
“Father,” I grumbled.
His reputation with the fae of Rivale was abysmal, though he always somehow kept the nobles in his pocket. And while orders were made with my words, he’d been the person behind them and everyone knew it.
“Perhaps,” she whispered, and ran her finger over her jeweled bracelet.
The scrutinizing faces multiplied by the minute, but the dozen guards kept them at bay. We needed to get the paint cleaned, both for morale and because I had guests arriving in a handful of hours.
“Your Highness.” Vexley’s voice was low. “The guard assigned to this post is missing, and there is evidence of a struggle.”
Vexley directed me to an area along the fence, a dozen feet from the entrance gate. Upon initial inspection, it looked as if the vandals had spilled the paint when trying to taint the area. But on a closer look, the liquid was not dried paint, but thick coagulated blood.
I toed my boot into the near-hardened puddle. “Witnesses?”
“None, sir.” Vexley ran a hand across his forehead. “If anyone saw the attack, they have yet to come forward.”
“Go door to door,” I commanded, my voice loud enough for the front of the crowd to hear. “Contact every residence and business in the area—someone saw what happened. Double the reward, do whatever is needed. We will find those responsible.”
“Whatever?”
“There may be a stay of executions, but that doesn’t prevent you from using all other means to make them talk. Just don’t kill them.” I went to turn, but ran directly into Leanna, who was hovering.
“Would you like to postpone your gathering this evening?” she asked.
“No—six o’clock, correct?”
She nodded.
“Vexley.” I looked at the man and mounted my horse. “Have this area cleaned immediately.”
Making my way up to the path, I took my time contemplating what I could do—if anything—to find those responsible.
I passed the two guards standing at the entry doors.
Their faces were impassive, but their true feelings raged behind their fury-riddled eyes.
They must’ve already learned of their missing comrade and were readying themselves for battle.
But as I walked toward the library, my chest tightened from the stares finding me in the corridor.
Bustling staff murmured amongst themselves, and I had the sinking feeling I had been the topic of discussion. For when I looked in their direction, their mouths stopped running, but their eyes lacked the reverence I deserved. Had they too been questioning my ability to rule?
Lifting my chin, I drew in a breath before entering the room filled with books. It wasn’t the same as my father’s study, but the familiar scent brought back cruel memories.
“Vera,” I greeted the librarian, who’d had her nose shoved in a book.
She stood quickly and offered a feeble bow. “Prince Sutton—I wasn’t expecting you. Is all okay?”
“Is this library not mine? Should I require an invitation to be here?”
“No, that was not my intent.” She hesitated. “It’s just that I cannot remember the last time I’ve seen you here. I only thought—”
“I didn’t ask for your thoughts,” I snapped. My anger was displaced, but with everything falling apart, the last thing I needed was for the old woman to question me.
Hunt chuckled behind me, and I wanted to admonish him, but there was no time to waste. Problems were piling up, and I needed to start solving them.
“I need several books and not the typical ones you offer to whomever enters. But the ones I know you have hidden deep in the shadows.” I looked for a reaction, but her bored expression remained steady. “Whatever you have on the resistance, I want.”
“Anything you wish to read of the group, the captain would have.” Vera’s voice was snippy. “I hold no such information on my shelves.”
“Fine.” I waved a hand, determined to talk to Vexley later. “I would also like the book you have on the Oras. The one that speaks of witches and their magic.”
Vera’s lips pressed into a pucker as she considered. “I don’t have a single thought of any book matching that description.”
She was lying, and we both knew it. But I couldn’t prove the fact, as I’d never seen the book myself; I’d only heard rumblings of its existence as a child.
“I highly doubt that,” I countered, narrowing my eyes on her.
She shrugged. “You’re free to check all the shelves. I will do so at your side if it satisfies your inquiry. There is not a single book here that matches your description.”
I blew out a breath. The knowledge could help stop the attacks on our ships. But without the text, I couldn’t possibly know where to start.
“Anything else I might help you with?” the librarian asked sweetly.
Maybe she too would murmur rumors in the halls if given the chance. The thought was enough to make my face heat. They were all blatantly disrespecting me, and they weren’t even trying to hide it. Without a reply, I turned and headed out for my father’s study.
Hours passed as I thumbed through books and papers, looking for anything to aid in solving the issues I faced.
Old missives sat stacked, one pile of those I’d already scanned and an even larger pile that I’d yet to look through.
It could take weeks to find a single sentence that might assist in my endeavors.
I could always go to my father, but now I only went to him with problems after I’d found a solution. Soon enough the future of Rivale would rest solely in my hands. But I wanted him to finally believe in me before he died.
The clock chimed, I glanced up and saw the small hand on the number five. I’d spent most of the day hunched over a desk and had accomplished nothing. I headed to my rooms to prepare for the gathering.
The halls were exceptionally quiet as I made my way toward the common sitting room.
Leanna had planned the entire event and said that holding a formal dinner would give off the wrong impression.
She’d thought it would be better to have an informal gathering with a grazing table and a constant flow of wine or beer.
I vetoed the beer and added desserts instead.
“Any news from Kuroden?” I asked Hunt. “Missives from either Audryn or Grave?”
“Nothing, Your Highness,” Hunt walked a little too close. “Were you expecting something? I can inquire with the steward.”
“Check in to make certain.” I waved him away and gestured for the guards to open the doors.
The voices in the room spilled into the hall the moment the double doors opened. The room was exquisitely decorated. Blue flowers adorned sea-themed vases and overflowed out of tall column stands. The windows along the southern wall were left open, allowing the sea-salt air to breeze in.
I stood at the threshold of the room waiting for the occupants to notice I had entered, but they remained huddled near the center with their backs to me.
A loud roar of laughter erupted from the group.
Maybe Leanna had hired an entertainer of sorts to occupy the nobles, but she should have scheduled their arrival for later in the evening.
Looking up at the clock, I noted it was six on the mark. I glanced at the grazing table to see several platters already empty. Even the desserts had started to be picked through.
Another boom of cackles and my impatience teetered on anger. One lord looked over to me and nudged the person next to him. Slowly, the crowd quieted and the sea of people parted.
Leanna stood in a full, long-sleeved light blue gown with shimmering gold beads swirling over it entirely. Her hair was placed in a modest updo with a thin tiara embedded within. She looked utterly royal, unlike me, who’d skipped donning regalia altogether.
“Brother.” Leanna extended her arm and gestured to me. “Please, come and greet our guests.”
They weren’t our guests; they were my guests.
I looked at the people and lazily walked toward her. Each noble dropped into a bow as I approached. Maris and her father, Levi, stood to the side and offered deep reverence.
“Good evening.” I forced a smile. “Apologies for my late arrival. I was held up with some important matters that needed to be dealt with.” Lying wasn’t ideal, but admitting I was given incorrect information would be worse.
“Oh, no.” Leanna feigned worry. “I do hope the resistance has not targeted you again.”
My eyes went wide as rage coursed through me. If there weren’t at least two dozen people watching, I would’ve dragged her from the room.
“There’s no need to worry.” She looked around the group. “My brother is an excellent fighter and strategist, I’m sure he has a plan already being drawn up. Especially since he’s unable to use Divine magic.”
What the fuck was she doing? Had she gone mad? My stomach nearly fell out of my body as I contemplated a response.
“With the ban our father has enacted and all.” Leanna shrugged and batted her eyelashes.
Lord Sanson cleared his throat and spoke. “Does your father prohibit you from using your magic, but not the guards?”
My loudmouthed sister hadn’t thought her words through; perhaps she was menstruating and it wrecked her mind. I kept my eyes on her, but she only held my stare.
“Why use magic when you have people to use it on your behalf?” I offered a chuckle and looked around the group, hopeful they’d agree.
“But you could use magic if needed, right?” the lord asked.
“Are you questioning my ability?” I found the man’s brown eyes and silently dared him to continue.
“I am only pointing out that I have never seen you use your ability. In fact, most are not even aware of what Divine magic you possess.” He raised a brow.
With so many to bear witness, Leanna had gotten me into a real bind. What was supposed to be an evening to unify had turned into the opposite, and I needed to right it quickly.
“Well, Mister Sanson,” I said, intentionally addressing him improperly, “when you take the throne and outrank me, I will be sure to inform you. But until that time comes, I recommend you understand your place in Rivale.”
It wasn’t my finest moment, but I knew I was fucked either way. If I allowed him to question me, the others would see the disrespect I’d permitted. And if I offered a lie, he could ask me to prove the magic I said I possessed.
“Very well,” the lord conceded. “Apologies if I’ve offended you.”
“You haven’t,” I lied again. “I’m here to strengthen the relationships my father established long ago. I see no reason to give these matters any further thought.”
I would give it thought, though. In fact, I would go to my father immediately following this soiree and demand the man have his title revoked for flagrantly disrespecting me. Maybe I’d also have Leanna removed from attending all official business.
“We have pledged allegiance not only to your father, but to you.” Levi Faldor stepped forward. “You have my full support, as I’m sure you have among everyone in the room.” He dipped into a low bow and remained.
It wasn’t a typical act of bowing at the waist and placing his hand over his heart.
He’d placed his right hand on his chest, but he fell down to a knee on the rug-covered floor.
With a chin dipped so low it was nearly against his chest, the bones at the back of his neck protruded.
One by one the lords and ladies dipped down and stayed.
The only person standing, aside from me, was Leanna.
I kept my stare steady as time passed between us.
My magic was thrumming, and I knew it filled the air with a buzz, but I didn’t let that distract me.
If there was one thing I was certain of, it was that I needed to finally put her in her place.
Our father had let her step out of line too often and kept her at my side as a backup.
But she was no longer necessary; she needed to prepare herself to serve me. I would be her king.
The tension between us grew. And when I felt the familiar hum of her magic dance upon the sea breeze, I prepared myself for battle. She released a drawn-out exhale, and finally submitted into a low bow.