Chapter 26 #2
I placed my hand on Matthias’s taut bicep, giving him a little squeeze, a reminder not to send the smug git back on his arse.
‘Well, Asmar.’ He took a long sip, his damn thick lips smacking together. ‘Looks like I’m back after all. Did you miss me?’
‘I could say we’ve missed you, but it’d be a downright lie. And apparently Romero has trust issues.’ Matthias swiped a glass of red wine from a servant, thanked him and turned to Enfys, offering her a glass.
She shook her head, her golden ringlets swinging, and my heart lurched at how like Mama the movement was.
‘Thank you, Matthias, but I don’t drink,’ she said, clutching her pendant.
Matthias knocked it back. ‘Never mind, more for me.’
He beckoned another servant, who glided over and, after placing his empty glass on the silver tray, replaced it with two new ones.
‘Thank you, dear,’ I said, taking one from him. This close, his lips were a tight, thin line. I turned to Enfys who sipped water, glancing between me and Matthias.
‘This is a wonderful surprise,’ I said, shocked at how true the words were. ‘We had no idea you were visiting.’
‘I’m merely passing through.’ She shot Danté a dark look. ‘Father insisted the duke act as my chaperone, despite how much I protested.’
‘But unlike you, Asmar, King Romero has nothing but respect for me.’ There was the damned slap of his lips again, and I didn’t know if it was that or the thought of Danté sitting in a carriage with my little sister for countless miles that sent a shudder of disgust through me.
‘He may not agree with the princess, but he wouldn’t trust his only daughter with anyone else. ’
The duke’s taunt failed to find the mark he sought as I turned to Enfys, scouring her face.
‘Why? Why doesn’t he agree with you?’
Her fingers rubbed the worn silver tree as she looked between us. Her mouth opened.
‘Silly woman wants to become a novice,’ Danté interrupted. ‘Damn sad loss of a fine female if you ask me.’
‘You’re in luck. No one asked you.’ I grabbed Enfys’s soft hands and tugged her closer to better see her expression, ignoring Danté’s snort.
‘A Sister of Evella?’
Enfys nodded. Something behind her eyes seemed to cry out to me to understand, and I wished someone would drag Danté away so I could talk to her. Had that day in the morgue tortured her so badly she sought out Evella’s blessing by becoming a Sister?
‘What about your throne?’ Matthias asked gently. ‘You’re the heir.’
‘We have Oskar too.’
My heart constricted at the grating sound of the boy’s name. The babe whose birth took Mama away. He’d only been a chubby toddler with golden curls when I’d eventually left. I’d had so little to do with him. Although we were tied by blood, I could never find a thread to link me to the child.
‘Father believes the crown will be stronger with a male on the throne.’
Matthias snorted, and I glared at him as he grabbed another glass of wine.
‘But Drufaera is yours, Enfys. You can’t let him strip you of your birthright because you’re female.’
‘He’s been presenting me with suitors.’ Enfys glanced at Danté, who grunted as Skye and Ifan approached.
‘I’ve heard the rumours, but you were lucky, Sorrow.
You’ve got Matthias. I-I’m passionate about helping those less fortunate.
’ She moved in closer, lowered her voice so only I could hear, while Danté grimaced at Skye.
‘I’ll never have the strength you do, Sorrow.
I’ve no wish to be a trophy bride, even if that’s what Father wants.
This way is the best for me. The happiest.’
I swallowed against the slight. There hadn’t been any opportunity to escape my own fate as a trophy bride, but I understood her need for freedom. Placing my hand on hers, I nodded.
‘So, where will you take your orders?’
‘Here, at the convent in Asmar.’ Enfys leaned in close again.
‘As far away from my father as I can get. I can use my healing gifts there. Honestly, it’s a relief to know I’ll have a purpose.
And we’ll be closer. You’ll visit?’ She gripped me tighter, tears shining in her eyes. ‘Promise you’ll visit.’
My breath caught as she squeezed my hand. Mama would adore this. A second chance with my sister. Though as the painfully familiar stab burrowed into my temple, I wondered how much time we’d actually get.
‘I’m going to head there tomorrow,’ she said, taking a pointed look over my shoulder to where Danté was eyeing Ifan’s huge frame warily. ‘I thought I’d get him away before someone lands another fist on his smug jaw.’
‘You’re a healer,’ I said, sharing a wicked grin with my sister. ‘You could repair his face in no time.’
‘My gift only works if I truly want to help someone, though. That damned man somehow asks to be slapped.’
‘And you’d never get to take orders with a history of violence.’
‘So,’ Danté sniffed by my damn ear.
I glared at him, the strong planes of his jaw that would make a rather satisfying crack were my fist to connect with it.
‘I’ve heard you’ve made no headway on discovering the Vyrium.’
My fingers itched by my sides and I stuck a tight smile onto my face. ‘Nothing concrete yet.’
I watched as his full lips wrapped over the glass and he took a far too long swig. His brown eyes strayed over in Matthias’s direction, a sneer tickling the corner of his mouth. ‘I’m sure Romero is a lot further along.’
Danté kept his gaze on my husband as he took another full gulp, his head nodding slightly.
‘Of course he is.’
His cold eyes regarded me once more. Goosebumps prickled on my arms despite the heat of the friendly hearth.
‘He’s even had the chance to send out a few scouting parties.
Obviously can’t say where.’ He tapped his far too straight nose, and it took the strength of Evella to stop my fist flying towards it.
‘It won’t be long before Drufaera will be rolling in freshly mined Vyrium. ’
My guts turned. I knew with all my research, Romero was probably strides ahead of us. If he got his hands on those stores, we were well and truly fucked. We all knew he’d never learned to share. He had more allies, more soldiers, powerful Anomalies and with the Vyrium, stronger weapons too.
Matthias and Asmar wouldn’t stand a chance. And if the empress attacked our shores…
I plastered a tight smile to my face, wondering if I could escape back to the library, work all night and find the stores before he did.
‘Then I’m certain Romero will share it with the rest of The Alliance?’ Matthias held my elbow, his fingers shaking.
‘Have you not heard, Asmar?’ Danté placed his empty glass on the mantelpiece, attempted to look down his nose at Matthias. ‘Romero is The Alliance now.’
Matthias’s forearm trembled beneath me, despite the smile he’d plastered on his face.
‘If you’ll excuse me,’ Danté said, mirth dancing in his eyes, ‘we have another long journey tomorrow. I’d like to turn in for the night. Princess Enfys, come along.’
‘Enfys is staying here,’ Skye said, standing next to my sister. ‘I think she’s perfectly capable of knowing when she’s ready for sleep.’
Danté snorted, his face turning puce. ‘I think you’ll find I’m her chaperone. I’ll say when the princess turns in.’
Enfys clutched her necklace as she narrowed her eyes at the duke.
Matthias placed himself between Danté and Enfys. ‘As this is my kingdom—’
‘For now, Asmar.’
I clenched Matthias tighter. He was coiled, ready to pounce.
‘Anyway, I’m bored of this. Enfys?’
My sister hesitated. A protective flare, new and unbidden, flashed through me. I had to help her but worried the second my hand left Matthias’s arm, he’d slap the smug smile from Danté’s face.
Skye stood between them, the sweetest of smiles on her lips.
‘I haven’t had the pleasure of Enfys’s company since we were children. And Sorrow is her sister—’
‘Half-sister.’
‘Sister!’ Enfys strode forward; her icy stare bored into Danté. ‘Sorrow is my sister, Duke. And if you haven’t noticed, she’s the queen of Asmar and we’re guests in her kingdom. I’m more than happy for you to turn in, but I’d like to spend some time with my family. You’re dismissed, Your Grace.’
Colour rose up Danté’s pale cheeks. He took a step towards Enfys before his eyes widened and the wolf stood between them, his gaze set on the duke. I ran my hand across his coarse fur.
‘Even the wolf wants Enfys to stay,’ I said. ‘As she says, you’re dismissed.’
A grimace swiped across his face, his eyes ablaze.
‘As you wish.’ The duke took a large step around me and strode down the carpet. When he’d only got halfway, he turned. ‘I’ve never complimented you on your palace before, Asmar. You should enjoy it, while it’s still yours.’
His blurry form stormed down the carpet, fists clenched at his side. I took my sister’s hand. Maybe Enfys knew where Romero searched for the Vyrium.
‘Romero knows where the Vyrium is?’
She closed her eyes and dipped her head. When she spoke, her voice was barely a whisper.
‘I wouldn’t put it past him to be at the door. Do you think?’ Enfys looked pointedly at Pablo. The wolf understood straight away and loped down the carpet. The sound of his growling grew, followed by the slap of hastily retreating feet.
Enfys blew out a deep breath, but kept her voice low. ‘Father has your books, your research, everything.’
‘Fucker,’ Asher muttered, earning a reproachful glance from Enfys.
My heart sank like stone. ‘And he’s found a site.’
‘He certainly thinks he has.’
I narrowed my eyes at my sister, the little girl who’d adored her daddy as though he were a god.
‘He thinks?’ Matthias asked.
Enfys nodded.
‘He’s…’ Her chest hitched and she closed her eyes for a moment.
‘He’s not the man I thought he was, Sorrow.
I idolised my father – you know I did – but, when I see how he’s reacted to the awful news from the other kingdoms. When he made my own sister his Tribute.
Watching him smash an ink pot because Matthias refused to hand Asmar to him, I’ve had to ask myself if he’s truly the man I thought he was.
So, I hope you don’t mind… but I may have added a few additional, quite fake, notes to your research. ’
Matthias scooped her up and swung her round, narrowly missing my arms.
‘You amazing, clever creature!’ he said, pulling her close and placing a kiss onto the top of her head.
A glimmer of jealousy flared within that refused to smother no matter how I tried to convince myself there was nothing between them.
‘You’ve sent him the wrong way.’
‘There’s more,’ she said as Matthias moved away. ‘I’ve brought some of your work. Your drawings – they’re stunning by the way – and a few of your more recent notebooks.’
Perhaps I was blessed by Evella! My half-sister. No, my sister had not only sent Romero the wrong way, but she’d brought my research, going against the word of the man who wouldn’t hesitate to punish her if he learned of her treachery.
‘Oh Enfys!’ I pulled her in. Embraced her with a surprising ease. She sank into me, tears burning against my eyes as I realised she wore the same rose water as Mama. ‘I wish you could stay longer.’
We came apart, but she kept her arms on mine. ‘Do you see why I needed to take my orders here? Why I had to get away from him?’
I took in her bright blue eyes. Like my sister, Mama had made sacrifices to help me, to keep peace between The Alliance.
‘You’ve sacrificed your throne, Enfys? Your chances of ever marrying.
I can’t think of you putting The Alliance above your own happiness,’ I said as Matthias placed his hand on the small of my back.
Sparks erupted at his touch. I turned, a rash burning across my cheeks as I found his gaze locked on me.
‘I’ve never wanted his throne. I’d be a terrible ruler, and as for marriage?
It’s never been something I’ve wanted. The thought of being trapped with a man chosen by him.
’ She shivered as I turned to Matthias, finding a smile on his lips as he continued to watch me.
‘I’ll hide the books under the mattress before I leave.
Danté’s room is next to mine. He insisted on it. I’ll leave everything you need.’
‘We can’t thank you enough, Enfys,’ he said, finally tearing his gaze away from me. ‘You’ve saved us.’
‘But there’s still so much to do,’ I muttered, imagining how the amount of research was skyrocketing. ‘I’ll start as soon as you leave.’
‘And we’ll help.’ Skye smiled.
‘I’ll bring a fire bucket,’ Matthias said, earning a bat on the arm from his sister. ‘You’ve already got an army of people helping. You know what needs doing.’
I nodded, and he flashed a smile that had my toes curling. If he ever learned the effect that damn thing had on me I’d never get my own way again.
‘I think it’s time Asmar came out on top,’ I said.
Ignoring the room of people, Matthias pulled me in, his warm mouth slamming against mine.
The room erupted in cheers. I pushed him away, my cheeks burning, but as I took in my family, my friends, their joy bathing the room with more warmth than the flames of the hearth, I found for once my scowl transformed into a wide smile.