Chapter 11
Carrik
I should not have let Horek’s words sway me, but after giving it much thought, I cannot resist Lindsey any longer, even if it would be for the best. The only thing to make me feel remotely better had been challenging Lorik to a training session.
I’d put him on his back every single time and even drew blood.
It had been far more satisfying than I should have allowed.
Foot traffic on the streets is busy, and things have returned nearly to normal as I make my way to the palace. It had taken too long, but I finally received an answer to my request to speak with Janik privately. He and I have much to discuss before I see Lindsey.
Guards glare at me with disgust as I stride across the courtyard from the lift, toward the palace entrance. Several whispers of “traitor” reach my ears, but I ignore them. Nothing I say or do will change minds already made up. Once inside, I’m greeted by a guard slightly older than me.
“I’m to escort you to the throne room.” His tone is neutral, giving none of his emotions away.
This isn’t my first visit to the palace, but it has been an anum or more since I was last here.
I only note a few minor changes, like different pots filled with flowers.
They also don’t sit in the same places they previously had.
Some of the furnishings have been moved as well.
In addition to this, the tone of the palace has shifted.
The last time I walked these halls, laughter and the low-level hum of bustling activity drifted through the air.
It is far too quiet in here now. Almost as if the palace is covered in a shroud.
I understand the city—the planet—mourns, but it feels especially so here.
Perhaps because its prince remains caged far beneath the surface.
“Ryvik sends his regards,” the male escorting me says beneath his breath.
I shoot him a swift glance, but his gaze remains straight ahead and he says nothing further until we reach the double doors of the throne room with their embellished design and the massive phinnek-head knocker that graces one of them.
“He’ll be in touch soon.” The guard opens the door and steps inside before I can reply.
Standing in the center of the room—with Mak at his side—is Janik.
His hands are clasped at his lower back, but because my skills at reading people are unmatched, I also note the discomfort and perhaps even a lack of the self-assurance and confidence he has always possessed.
After all, he has been an object of my study for several anums while I posed as Bannik within the rebel camp.
At my approach, he faces me, and the mask slides into place.
“Bannik,” he greets me.
“Your Highness.” I bow, but not before he flinches at the title. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”
The guard who escorted me retreats from the room, closing the doors behind him, but two others remain posted within. I observe them both for a moment before returning my attention to Janik.
“I admit being curious as to why you asked for this meeting,” he says.
My gaze bounces over the two guards again. “The matter I need to discuss with you is highly sensitive and private. It is meant for no one’s ears but yours.”
Janik smirks. “How do I know you won’t attempt to kill me if we are alone?”
“I suspect your faithful companion would do far more damage to me than either of those two males if I should choose to attempt to harm you in their presence.” I lower my voice. “If your phinnek were absent, none of you would see me coming.”
Janik chuckles. “You have my attention.” He glances at one of the guards. “Leave us.”
The first male startles and casts a questioning look at the new prince. “Your Highness?”
His concern is waved off. “I wish to speak with Bannik without an audience. Mak will ensure my safety.”
The two guards still hesitate, but finally, they do Janik’s bidding and exit the room. My suspicion is that Horek will be notified, and I only have so much time before he arrives. Once I am certain we are alone, I drop Bannik’s demeanor and become my true self once more.
The prince blinks and cants his head to study me. “Who are you?”
“I am Carrik of House Deqan.”
Janik’s surprise is evident. “The hated elder brother. Or is that merely a lie?”
“It is a necessary truth.”
“And why is it necessary?”
“Because it keeps Bannik safe and makes what I do easier.”
“I see.” Although it’s clear he doesn’t. “Well, as much fun as it might be to continue this game of questions and answers, perhaps you just tell me what it is you do instead?”
Of course. “The House of Deqan has served a single role since the first king of Bohna. Every generation, the eldest son is trained for this role from the time of his birth until the death of his father. Then the role becomes his, no matter which king sits on the throne. When that king dies, the next king receives our oath of service.”
Janik continues to study me but says nothing. He merely motions for me to complete my story.
“When my father died, I took his place and served first King Danik and then Prince Alik. However, with the recent revelation that you are the actual firstborn, my sworn duty no longer belongs to Alik, but rather the true future king of Bohna.”
“And what, may I ask, is this role you play?”
“Intelligence gatherer.”
Janik studies me for several long moments.
“Is Bannik a real person, or do you play both parts?”
“My brother is real. But he is also unaware of our family’s duty to the crown. Only the eldest son who follows in his father’s footsteps is allowed the knowledge of the role we fill.”
“Where is Bannik now?”
I barely withhold my wince. “My estate.”
Perhaps Janik can read me as well as I read him because he cocks his head. “Is he there by choice?”
“No.”
“I see.” He clasps his hands behind his back again. “How do I know what you say is true?”
“You don’t. Not even Horek or the queen knows about me or any of those who came before me. The only other person besides Alik who is aware of my true identity is my adviser. He served my father before his death as well.”
“Actually, that’s not true.” Queen Veroneek strides through the throne room, her expression just as subdued as it was the day I returned to Preska to take Bannik’s place in the guards. “I am aware of your identity, Carrik, and the role you serve for Alik.”
Shock rattles me. “What do you mean? No one other than Ivik is supposed to have that knowledge.”
The queen comes to stand beside her son. It is easy to see their resemblance this close up. She smiles fondly at him, although there is a staggering amount of sorrow behind it. Her gaze shifts to me.
“My mate told me. He understood all the reasons why his ancestors and yours kept the secret, but it was not anything he agreed with. Considering the situation we are in now—with Alik being incapacitated and unable to confirm your story—it’s a good thing Danik shared this with me.
Why in all of creation these males thought it was smart that only two people had the knowledge of your ancestral line is beyond me. ” Queen Veroneek shakes her head.
I remain in stunned silence while Janik paces several times before stopping. “It was Alik who sent you into the rebel camp to become his spy while pretending to be Bannik?”
“Yes.”
“Olivia told me it was Bannik who helped her leave the rebel camp that morning.”
I’d assumed she had done so even before Horek mentioned it being one of the only reasons the queen had been so lenient with me. Janik also doesn’t appear to want an answer, but I give it to him anyway. “Yes, it was me.”
“Which is why I so easily forgave you and allowed you to return to your guard duties when you approached me as Bannik to ask forgiveness. Because I knew Alik had placed you in that position as his spy,” Queen Veroneek adds.
“Why did you help Olivia?” the prince asks.
Not helping her escape would have been easier. Janik wouldn’t have hurt her. Not that Alik or Horek could have known that. But letting her remain meant the commander wouldn’t risk raiding the rain forest in search of the rebel hideout.
“Because her being there didn’t align with my plans.”
Janik strokes Mak’s head. “And what exactly were your plans?”
“Before the confirmation you are the rightful heir, it was to find Mohneek and Orvak, along with whoever remains loyal to them, and squash the rebellion for good.”
Janik studies me. “How does my being heir change how you proceed?”
I try for patience because did he not listen to what I have been telling him? “Because my task to bring the rebel leader to justice was given to me by Alik and was in reference to you. Since you are not the true rebel leader and I no longer serve him, however I proceed next is for you to decide.”
“Fuck.” Janik runs his hand through his hair.
“Your Highness?”
He grimaces and casts his mother an apologetic smile. “I hate that title.”
I dip my chin. “Apologies.”
Janik swivels his head. “It is something I will have to get used to.”
Yes, he will.
“Give me some time to think on it. I, too, wish to know where Mohneek and Orvak are hiding and what their plans are in regard to the throne now that they no longer have my loyalty nor can they use me as a pawn.”
Janik should be made aware of one more thing.
“I was approached by Ryvik several days ago. Something about him had me on alert. The guard who escorted me here mentioned Ryvik’s name as well and that he’d be contacting me soon.”
The queen jerks, but it is the prince who asks, “Ryvik?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know why he approached you or what his intentions are by contacting you?”
“I do not.”
“When you hear from him, let me know.” Janik pauses. “Do you think he is still loyal to Mohneek or Orvak? Or knows where they might be?”
“It’s possible.”
“Keep me updated.”
I nod at both him and his mother. “Of course.”
Sensing their dismissal, I turn to leave. The doors slam open, and Horek strides through. Mak, whose growl rumbles from her throat, settles a moment later.
“What’s going on?” The commander narrows his gaze at Janik.
“Calm yourself. Nothing nefarious is happening. At least, not how you are assuming.” The prince turns toward me. “He should know.”
My eyes widen. “Your Highness, that is not how this works.”
Janik straightens to his full height. “I was not groomed for this position or raised to take over. Regardless of his distaste for being heir, my…cousin was.”
Horek actually startles, whether at the admission or the acknowledgment of their familial relationship.
The prince continues. “I am not King Danik nor any of those who came before him. Nor am I Alik. Which means I will rule how I see fit. It also means there are certain things that will change. The secrecy of who you are and what you do is going to be one of them. Especially if we are going to find Mohneek and Orvak. The queen already knows. Horek should as well. You say you are in service to me—therefore, this is your first task and test of loyalty by my command.”
I stare at Janik for another tick, hoping he will change his mind.
When he merely stares back, I finally blow out a harsh breath and share a secret that has never been shared with anyone before.
Ever. Or at least, it was not supposed to have been.
Horek remains silent throughout, and only once I’ve finished relaying everything I’d just spoken of to Janik does he react.
“Is this the reason you have rejected your heart’s fire?”
“I have not rejected Lindsey.”
The commander nods slowly. “So it is her. I had wondered.”
Janik glances back and forth between us but has nothing to add.
“You still have not answered my question,” Horek prompts when the silence lengthens.
“I told you I am not rejecting my heart’s fire.”
“But you were going to,” Janik states flatly. He did witness my interaction with her in the market square after all.
“There were reasons.”
“Reasons that no longer exist?” the commander asks.
“No disrespect intended, but my…relationship with Lindsey is none of your concern.”
“That’s fair,” Janik says.
“If there’s nothing else, I will leave you three to discuss matters and figure out which steps you would like me to take next.” I bow to the queen and the prince and walk out of the room without a formal dismissal.
I have done what I came here to do, and now it’s time to get to know my heart’s fire. Or at least as well as I am able to without revealing who I truly am.