Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
H uffing and puffing as she turned the corner, Novi immediately recognized the graceful movements underneath the elegant cloak billowing at the end of the hall. The woman on the other side of the warm, luxurious fabric seemed to be trying to leave the Royal Council’s meeting room without being noticed. Yet Novi noticed a lot more these days now that her body had changed from that of a human to one of a demonborn.
Over the past year of her inhuman pregnancy, her eyes had turned black as pitch, and she’d gained the ability to see things unusually well, especially in the dark. Her inner vision had grown stronger as well. The sense commonly known as women’s intuition now spoke to her as loud as another woman standing beside her at all times. Compared to the human barmaid who’d accidentally been placed in the Crown Prince’s harem, this female creature who now shared his bed saw everything.
Which was why she noticed her dear friend trying to leave the fifth floor of Blackwood Castle without being noticed.
“Jennae,” she called, trying not to yell too loudly down the hall. The woman didn’t turn around. She should’ve heard, but maybe she had a lot on her mind. Novi sucked in a deep breath of air, then cupped a hand near her lips before bellowing louder.
“Lady Jennae! Wait up!”
The stunning brunette turned around slowly, giving a low, reverent curtsy before letting her gaze venture up to meet Novi’s.
“Good afternoon, Sacred One.”
Novi wrinkled her nose in displeasure as she walked up to her friend.
“You know I don’t like being called that,” she scolded, although she was grinning. She reached for Jennae’s delicate hand and gave it a tug. “Come with me! We need to talk!”
Instead of coming with her, Jennae pulled back. A reluctant, pained expression was on her face, leaving Novi confused.
“What’s wrong? Did you already talk to Fallon? Did he tell you the big news?”
Jennae’s large demonborn eyes filled with anguish. Novi reached for her friend’s hand again.
“He did, didn’t he? All the more reason for you to come with me right away! We can’t talk about it here.” She cast a furtive glance to the red-cloaked guards lining the length of the hallway. “We need some place private.”
“Novi, I’m not sure now’s the best time…” Jennae tried to protest, but Novi’s hand curled around hers and essentially dragged the highborn woman back to the private apartment she shared with Fallon.
Lady Jennae didn’t notice the golden doors shutting her into the room. She’d only ever been here at Novi’s invitation, sometimes having tea or playing a game of cards. But now she looked at the room in a completely different way. Her face went pallid as she caught sight of Fallon’s enormous bed. It used to be no more interesting than any other piece of furniture. Now it might be the place where her future children were conceived. She cursed herself for not bringing a fan, but it was winter. There wasn’t normally a need for a fan when snow was still clinging to the rooftops of Sinarya.
“Why are you acting like you’ve never seen this room before?” Novi teased. She invited Jennae to join her in one of the two large chairs arranged near the fireplace.
“Have you rearranged the furniture?” Jennae asked, already knowing it hadn’t been.
“No. Look what I can do now,” Novi boasted while staring into the glowing embers. She grinned from ear to ear as a thin flame crept up and engulfed the coals in a blaze of orange and yellow.
“You mustn’t tire yourself,” Jennae said weakly while looking in concern at Novi’s protruding belly.
“You sound just like Fallon,” Novi grumbled. “All I do is rest and relax. The most exercise I get is a walk through the gardens. Did you know that I get more physical contact from a massage at the Royal Spa than from Fallon? He tells me how beautiful I am, but I can’t remember the last time he gave me more than a kiss on the cheek.” She sank lower into the chair, making her belly rise like a full moon in front of her. “He used to keep me up until dawn, and now he won’t touch me. I don’t know what else to do with all this sexual frustration.”
“It will pass,” Jennae said, turning to gaze into the fire. “After your daughter is born, it’s very likely that you’ll be the one telling Fallon to keep his hands off of you .”
“I doubt that,” Novi snickered. “As soon as the Royal Physician gives the all-clear, I plan on making up for all this lost time.”
Jennae lifted a skeptical brow.
“Recuperating after giving birth is no small task.”
“The midwives told me that I’ll heal faster now that I’m not human.”
“Yes, but…” Jennae’s expression drifted to an unknown source of wisdom. “It’s very…it’s very messy, what with all the bleeding afterwards and having your milk come in, not to mention how utterly exhausted you’ll be from feeding your newborn every two hours. You might be surprised at how you actually feel once the time comes.” She gave Novi a faint smile. “That baby will take all of your energy and occupy your mind every minute of every day. She’ll become your entire world.”
“You say that like you have kids of your own,” Novi replied, watching her friend’s demure expression shift ever so slightly.
“I watched it all happen with my nephew. I’m the closest thing he has to a mother,” she explained with a soft smile. “My older brother was blessed to have a demonborn son with a human lover. I was there for the birth. Unfortunately, she died in a carriage accident shortly after he fell in the Battle for Prasad. My nephew became an orphan only a few days after he was born. He’s all we have left of my younger brother.”
Novi’s black eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“I’m sorry to hear about your brother. I read in my history books that ten thousand demonborn men died in that battle. You barely ever talk about your nephew, but your face completely changes whenever you do,” she observed. “Will you ever bring him to court? I’d love to meet him sometime.”
Jennae shook her head.
“Mother and I think it’s best that he remain at our country estate. He’d only be twisted by the vipers at court and used as a chess piece for their schemes and amusement. Perhaps I’ll bring him here once Their Majesties have gone to the afterlife. But until that day comes…he’s safer in the country.”
“How old is he?”
“He just turned ninety-six.”
Novi glanced up towards the ceiling as she quickly calculated the math.
“That would make him the human equivalent of an eight-year-old. His mother must’ve gotten pregnant right before your brother left for the war.”
A wistful smile drifted across Jennae’s face, and she returned her gaze to the fire.
“Yes. He’s growing up so fast. Hopefully he can hold onto his innocence a bit longer. He’s still young enough that he asks me to tuck him in bed at night.”
Novi’s face melted into the sweetest smile.
“Awww! That’s adorable! Why haven’t you ever talked about him before?”
Jennae shrugged.
“I don’t like the court to know about my private life. You know all too well how vicious they can be.”
“I’m not a member of the Blackwood Court,” Novi countered, making her friend snicker.
“You’re sleeping with the future king and having his baby,” she pointed out, glancing at Novi’s belly. “You hold a much higher rank in the Blackwood court than you realize.”
Novi wrinkled her nose, unimpressed by the observation. Jennae had spent her entire life hearing about court drama at Blackwood Castle, thanks to her prominent parents. Her father, the Duke of Ordeya, enjoyed the chaos, but she was more like her mother, and preferred a quiet life in the country.
“If this is how they treat the higher-ranking members of the court, I’d hate to be at the bottom.”
“Indeed,” Jennae agreed with a polite nod, before studying her manicured hands in awkward silence.
“I’d love to hear more about your nephew,” Novi said in an attempt to break the strange tension between them. “You never tell me anything about him. I’ve known you for over two years now, and I don’t even know his name.”
“Gannon. He’s very smart…and so curious about everything. I only want him to have the very best memories of his childhood. That’s why I let him stay home with mama. I just got him a new pony last month. I don’t think I could pry him away from the stables if I tried.”
“What a lucky boy, to have a doting aunt like you. You’ll be an amazing mother one day,” Novi said with a mischievous look in her eyes. Jennae forced a smile onto her naturally rosy lips. Then Novi grasped the arms of her chair and pulled herself up, leaning closer to her friend. “I know that noblewomen like you have to get married before they have babies, although I have a feeling it won’t be that long from now.”
Jennae’s lashes fell against her cheeks, trying desperately to block out the conversation she’d just had with the Royal Council…and trying to block out the conversation she was about to have. Since her transition to becoming a demonborn, Novi could read minds now. Her skills weren’t fine-tuned from years of practice, but she had demonborn abilities nevertheless. If she knew what had been said in that council meeting, it should’ve left her devastated.
Far from looking devastated, Novi appeared downright hopeful.
“It won’t be long for what, exactly?” Jennae ventured.
“Your wedding, obviously,” Novi said, grinning even wider. “Aren’t you just a little bit excited?”
Jennae’s pulse thundered in her softly pointed demonborn ears. She focused on the fire crackling and licking at the logs in front of them, wishing she were staring at a fire back home in the countryside.
“Novi…I’m the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Ordeya. I—I don’t know what else I can do.”
Novi waved her hand dismissively.
“The practical side of my brain says not to get your hopes up,” she said, speaking with authority. “But the other part of my brain says that Fallon wouldn’t be such a horrible wreck if he didn’t think that Kallo elf was right about Dillon still being alive.”
Jennae’s usually modest and even-tempered expression shifted into one of wide-eyed disbelief.
“You’ll have to forgive me…but I’m not following along with anything you’re saying. What’s this about Dillon?”
“A Kallo elf from the Estellian Empire says he was in prison with Prince Dillon a few months ago. He says he’s alive,” Novi explained.
The noblewoman sitting beside her looked like she might faint. Her response came out in a thin whisper.
“Dillon’s alive ?”
Novi’s hand flew to her forehead as she realized her mistake.
“Oh, Jennae, I’m so sorry! I thought you already knew! Didn’t Fallon tell you?”
Jennae’s eyes began to water and she wrung her hands as the shock of her situation began to sink in.
“Seven hells, Jennae—I’m sorry! I thought Fallon would’ve told you, since you all grew up together,” Novi apologized. “He’s been so busy with meetings over the last couple days. It’s supposed to be a secret. He doesn’t want anyone knowing he’s meeting with the guy, in case his story is total shit. But I read the Estellian newspaper articles Mauricio found about him. His story sounds legitimate to me. Isn’t Bleakmoor Island where all the Ellunian prisoners of war were taken to?”
After forcing her head to nod, the only thing that kept Lady Jennae from falling to her knees was the fact that she was already seated in a chair. Her hands rose up to her mouth, trying desperately to stifle the wail that longed to escape.
Novi scrubbed her face with her hand, knowing that she couldn’t take back what she’d just told her friend.
“I shouldn’t have said anything until I knew for sure, but Fallon seems to believe this guy’s story. I know you and Dillon were crazy about each other all those years ago. Maybe he still feels the same? He probably loves you even more, since he’s had all this time to think about you. Maybe that’s why I have this feeling you’re going to get married soon?”
Meanwhile, the prim and proper Lady Jennae of Ordeya was struggling to form the most basic of sentences.
“I don’t… I can’t… Dillon? How ?”
Novi gave her friend a hopeful grin.
“Fallon’s going to talk to this Estellian guy in the next day or two. I can’t remember his name, but it sounds like mayonnaise or marination or something like that.” She snorted a little laugh and rubbed her stomach, completely oblivious to her friend’s inner turmoil. “I must be hungry. Are you hungry? We could have an early lunch. Or a late breakfast. Or a second breakfast. Should I send for a footman?”
“No!” Jennae’s response was unusually sharp. She was already on her feet and heading for the door. “I apologize, Novi, but I’m late for an engagement—I can’t stay. If you see Fallon before I do, please tell him I need to speak with him at once.”
“I’ll let him know,” said Novi with a bewildered expression.
In another wing of the castle, Prince Fallon stared at the grotesque photographs spread across his desk. Eyeballs were gouged from heads, clumps of hair had been hacked away from skulls, bodies were mutilated, blood was drained, and limbs had chunks bitten off by mouths full of sharp teeth. The murders suggested they’d been carried out by different creatures. The one thing they had in common was that the victims were all human.
“I didn’t realize it was this bad,” he murmured as he lifted up a photograph. In the background of the human remains was a scene of inner-city squalor, an unfortunate reminder that even prosperous cities like Sinarya still had slums. “Are we any closer to solving this case, now that you’ve driven the spell from Callista? You said the same type of witchcraft was coming from inside the castle.”
He set down the photo and looked at his private secretary and his former personal guard. He needed answers.
“I’m doing my best, sire, but finding the source is going to take some time. I’ve picked up the scent of Kaos magic all over the castle,” Mauricio admitted. “I’ve smelled it down in the kitchens. I’ve smelled it in the hallway outside your door. It’s everywhere.”
The significance of that observation was not lost on Fallon.
“Do you have any suspects?”
“The entire Blackwood Court and all the castle staff are suspects. We could narrow down our list faster if we had more help,” Halen ventured.
Fallon shook his head of black hair and looked at his trusted men.
“No. Increased guard activity will immediately send the perpetrator into hiding. It doesn’t matter if it’s within the city of Sinarya or inside the castle walls—the only reason we’ve made this much progress is because they’re getting comfortable enough to make mistakes. The fewer who know about this, the better. Especially not if I can’t trust anyone beyond my bedchamber or my office. I cannot accept that the list of suspects includes every soul within the castle. Don’t you have any leads?”
Mauricio and Halen shared a reluctant glance, then turned back to the Crown Prince.
“Between the scent of Kaos magic and the fleeting images I saw in Callista’s memory, the main suspect is Prince Tristan.”
Fallon blinked in surprise at Mauricio’s comment.
“Tristan? How could that be possible? He lies in bed all day.”
“He may not be recovered enough to be in the public eye, but his health is improving, sire.”
“I’ll not argue that my brother is very cruel, especially given what he’s done to Callista, but I do not think him capable of committing such atrocities as these,” Fallon tapped the photos on his desk and frowned. “He prefers psychological torture.”
“He did shoot you at the chimera hunt,” Halen reminded him. “ Twice . And he shot Novi three times.”
Fallon shook his head.
“I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but a temper tantrum with a crossbow still doesn’t compare to the mutilations occurring in the lower sectors of Sinarya. Furthermore, I highly doubt Tristan’s ever set foot in the slums. Nor do I think he has the discipline required to learn such a powerful branch of magic. There aren’t many who dare practice Kaos these days, let alone study it.”
“Perhaps he’s not working alone, sire,” Mauricio suggested. “All the victims have been made to suffer unbearable pain. I may not share your deep fondness for humans, but even this makes me feel sorry for them.”
“I’m pleased to hear that, because you’re officially in charge of this investigation.”
“ Me ?” Mauricio asked in surprise. “I’m already working on that other situation that just surfaced. Why not put Halen in charge? It’s his case, after all.”
Fallon shook his head while Halen gathered up the photographs and slipped them back into the folder.
“I need Halen for another mission. When it’s done, he can resume helping you with this one.”
Halen looked up from his photos.
“Your Royal Highness, with all due respect, what could be more important than finding a serial killer who’s operating within your own castle walls?”
A contemptuous laugh escaped Fallon’s lips and he slowly sank into his chair.
“Show him the file, Mauricio.”
Pulling a folder out from the appointment book he always kept tucked under his partially amputated arm, Mauricio’s displeasure spread across his face as he handed it to Halen. The lycan’s fingers toyed with the dirty blond scruff on his chin as he skimmed the details. A photo of a black-haired Kallo elf was looking back at him. Although the inferior elven man wore a suit, there was a smirk on his handsome face as if it was all an elaborate joke.
“Talvi Marinossian of the Imperial Trade Commission,” Halen began to read out loud. “Declared innocent of willful murder…the man in question was determined to be an enemy of the state…a doppelg?nger in the form of his brother…blah blah blah— oh ! What’s this?” He snorted a laugh and lifted up a photo of a woman with unnaturally bright red hair. “Marinossian thought he killed his brother after learning he was having an affair with his human wife ?”
Mauricio’s mouth frowned in disapproval.
“Yes…the scandal broke out half a year ago. It’s been in the Estellian newspapers since last summer.”
“Entertaining as this gossip is, I don’t understand why it needs my attention more than a serial killer running loose in the castle.”
“The victims are all low-born humans from the poorest areas of the city. No one of any importance,” Mauricio explained. “I doubt the Royal Family is in danger. However…Talvi Marinossian was sent to Bleakmoor Prison for that murder he committed…the same prison that our soldiers were taken to after the Battle for Prasad. Now he’s here in Sinarya, claiming that Prince Dillon was in there with him…where he still remains.”
Halen’s wolfish grin faded as he registered what he’d just heard.
“Prince Dillon is still alive?”
“That’s what Marinossian claims.” Fallon gave a barely perceptible nod. “He contacted a member of the Shipper’s Guild and gave them information that nobody else would know, aside from me and Tristan. I’ve already informed your captain at the Sinaryan City Guard that I need you for a private matter. I have a team organized to verify Marinossian’s claims. I need you to collect him tomorrow morning and bring him here for interrogation. If what he says is true, you’ll accompany him into enemy territory and bring my brother back.”
Fallon reached for a pen and brought it to a stack of papers, signaling their conversation had come to an end.
“What if the Kallo bastard’s full of shit, sire? They’re known for that sort of thing.”
Without looking up from his paperwork, Fallon said, “If Marinossian’s lying, we’ll feed him to the chimeras and you can return to your murder investigation with my full support.”
Halen swallowed hard, then looked down at the wood elf smirking back up at him from the file.
“Hopefully you understand why this matter takes precedence over a few dead low-born humans,” Mauricio added as he took back the file.
“I’ll report to you first thing in the morning, sire,” Halen said with an obedient nod. Then he gave a deep, reverent bow before leaving Prince Fallon’s office.