Chapter 41
The herald appeared next to the dais where Dion had assumed his position. The dark prince held himself with the feline grace and the predatory stillness I connected to him. Even across the entire hall, his piercing stare burned into me, leaving me with the desire to squirm, to run, to flee.
Gods, if there were ever a good time for you to intervene, it would be now.
“Silence! His Royal Highness Dionadair Dorchadas Coroin De’An Scriosta, Scion of High King Galrach Folus Iadrann, Crown Prince of Galanta, Heir to the Eternal Throne of Alaiann, and Field Marshal of the Endless Legions, wishes to address the High Court in an urgent matter.”
At least Dion wasn’t drunk, although alcohol consumption would have been an explanation for his erratic behavior.
But as far as I could tell, he hadn’t consumed a single drop of wine, let alone something stronger.
Or maybe that was just me, hoping he’d be reasonable enough not to risk his magic in this den of vipers.
“Gathered High Court of Alaiann. There’s indeed a most urgent matter I have to announce. You’ve all been present as my grandfather, your High King, raised a toast. To me, but mainly to himself.”
My eyes were glued to Dion, who stood tall and confident in front of everyone.
Gone was the soft and vulnerable male who had let me beyond his walls.
But the fae speaking wasn’t the obedient weapon his grandfather forced him to be either, and if Galrach’s taut stance and balled fists were any indication, he realized this as well and was more than displeased with his grandson.
Gods, he was going to do something idiotic, wasn’t he?
“But still, his words held a kernel of truth. A lot has changed for me during the last months. Yes, an Amplifier was discovered, and I was bestowed the great honor to connect our powers in the Rite of Binding—a ceremony that, for those who’ve forgotten this important detail, is only successful if our gods grant their holy blessing.
So, can you imagine how Kalag, Immaru, or the nameless god of all fates would judge your current behavior? ”
My throat bobbed. Dragging the gods into this was worse. But maybe, with some divine intervention, he would stop digging a deeper grave for himself?
“But, Triad aside, I’m very displeased at how my Amplifier is treated in this court, and I’m done letting such mistreatment slide for even one more second.
So, gathered courtiers, there’s one crucial fact for you to memorize.
My Amplifier belongs to me, and disrespecting what is mine equals disrespecting me. ”
Closing my eyes, I forced myself to relax my tense muscles and counted to three. In vain. Afterward, I was even more rigid.
Apart from destroying our cover and declaring war on his grandfather, at least as I understood his motivation, Dion’s property-thinking should disgust me. But in reality—gods, that he stood up for me in front of everyone did something indescribable to my soul.
“I’m sure, now that I’ve addressed this issue, no one will repeat such insolence.
But if so, you’ll answer to me.” Black smoke curled around his hands and climbed up his arms—a casual reminder of the power he controlled.
As the dark mist wafted through the room, fae everywhere recoiled, although the magic wasn’t doing anything other than existing.
Even Thain backed away as the billowing clouds reached our location, but I stayed in my spot. Moments later, a part of the darkness solidified into an inky tendril, and I smiled as I recognized it as the one I’d befriended.
Galrach, who was spared being approached by the smoke, stared at the spectacle. He was on the verge of intervening, but for unknown reasons, he held himself back.
“At least you understand I could end all your existences in the blink of an eye. Without resorting to my Amplifier’s power.”
He was holding the gathered fae hostage.
My throat constricted as more tendrils formed everywhere between the guests and wrapped around their bodies—especially their necks—ready to unleash untold horrors.
Mine, though, had looped its length around my arm and chest, purring contentedly in a soothing manner.
Only a few people weren’t enveloped in dark strands. Galrach, Ireas, and, to my surprise, Thain had been excluded from the threat. Antas and Fig, as I’d been told much earlier, were on guard duty outside and were missing the whole absurdity.
“Now, as everyone is nice and friendly, I present to the gathered High Court my Amplifier, Lady Nayana Garnet Ortha.” Dion extended a hand to me and crooked his finger, pride shining in his eyes.
The bastard was enjoying this, relishing in having so many lives at his mercy and, for once, having the upper hand over his grandfather.
If only his behavior weren’t so godscursed short-sighted.
We’d have a stern conversation about how I wasn’t agreeing with him altering our plan on a whim, and especially about how threatening a whole ballroom with eradication wasn’t precisely keeping a low profile.
If Noelk collected me right now, I wouldn’t complain.
But of course that didn’t happen. Instead, my shadow friend nudged its tip against the small of my back, indicating its displeasure that I was still rooted to the spot.
I had no other option than to follow Dion’s summons and the tendril’s encouragement. With my eyes firmly glued to the dark prince on the dais, I moved past the panicking courtiers.
Even the last person would notice how his garb and my gown were coordinated, and if my face didn’t appear in the same color as my dress, I’d be more than surprised.
Before I could climb onto the dais, some smoke solidified underneath my feet and raised me, and only in the last second could I stop myself from squeaking.
The platform stopped next to Dion, where the disk dissolved, and he smiled at me. Not one of his usual fake court-smiles, but a real one.
A few of the courtiers, until now frozen in their horror like the rest, had woken up from their shock, and screams echoed through the air. But if Dion cared at all, he wouldn’t let anyone know.
“I’m almost done, but until I am, I demand silence.”
No, he definitely didn’t give a damn.
“Do I have everyone’s attention again? Yes?”
Deadly quietness ruled the air again, but I imagined I was able to hear Galrach gritting his teeth.
Oh Dion, why were you doing this?
“Strength commands respect. Customs ground us. Rituals keep our society together as a whole. That is how it was and how it will always be. Hold on to traditions, respect the rites, bow to power. Isn’t that right, Grandfather?”
Of course, he wasn’t satisfied with having everyone at his mercy. No, he had to poke the bear.
Galrach bared his teeth in an ugly snarl, fists balled, firebolts shooting from his eyes, but he dipped his chin in the faintest of nods.
“Your High King once told me, when I asked him why he insists I carry so many titles, that they display superiority without constant demonstration. Bullshit, if you ask me. Reputation does that better than any honorific could. Those who know me are aware of how much I despise the whole string of empty words attached to my name and that I’d rather travel to Udiona and back before anyone would catch me reciting them all myself. ”
What was he up to? For me, the longer Dion explained his point to his audience, the more his words resembled mad rambling without proper context. If this were his big villain speech, he’d have to practice the next one better.
“But I recently learned never to say never. Because, dear Grandfather, as you always state, and the past agrees, rites are the backbone of Galanta, and to make sure you won’t go back on your word, I’ll enact the following rite in a way that you can’t find a loophole.”
There was a weird energy in the air, one not coming from the hostages but from Dion himself. Galrach’s veins pounded in his neck and forehead, and Thain—Thain grinned.
Why was he grinning?
“So, let it be known that in front of High King Galrach Folus Iadrann of Galanta, Emperor to the Eternal Throne of Alaiann and the gathered High Court of Alaiann Palace, I, Dionadair Dorchadas Coroin De’An Scriosta, Scion of High King Galrach Folus Iadrann, Crown Prince of Galanta, Heir to the Eternal Throne of Alaiann, and Field Marshal of the Endless Legions, will officially enact the Rite of Courting, in which I will try to win the affections of Nayana Garnet Ortha of Ivreia. ”
My face was a mess of confusion as Dion grabbed my hand and ghosted a chaste kiss on top of my knuckles. Amethyst eyes ensnared my own as his lips curled into the softest smile I’d ever witnessed on him.
Gods, this fae.
“Nayana, from this moment on, I’m your humble servant, your knight, and the one trying to win your heart. During my courtship, I’ll prove my devotion to you. Only to you.”
What in Noelk’s name? Had he had this rite in mind earlier? What would its execution involve? Why hadn’t he warned me? And how were we supposed to survive the wrath of Galrach?
So many choice words gathered on the tip of my tongue, and I had to swallow them all.
Oh gods, did I have to answer anything?
Releasing only the pianist from his dark restraints, Dion nodded to the freed male, and when the first nervous notes rang out, he hauled me to the dance floor.
“We’ll leave after the song. Don’t fight me. I’ll explain everything later.”
“What else are you planning? Another delightful surprise? Gods, this wasn’t your brightest idea. Antagonizing your grandfather? Taking the court hostage? What happened to low profile?”
“The declaration of intent has to be instantly followed by the First Act of Courtship, and I don’t want my grandfather to intercept us. Which is a possibility once I release everyone. Only after we’ve satisfied customs will we have gained some protection.”
Dion’s muscle ticked in his cheek, the telltale sign of him being stubborn. Well, I was just as headstrong. “Your grandfather is fuming.”
“I don’t care.”
“That’s not surprising. And I’m clueless about exactly what you announced.”
“Oh, easy. During the courtship, I’ll convince you that I’m the best male for you, that you can’t find anyone better. When successful, the rite ends with our union.”
“Are you out of your mind?”
“Possibly.”
“How can you be intoxicated without drinking a single drop of alcohol?”
“Hush, it’s time for our exit.”
Mirth and fondness dominated Dion’s features, and when the last notes faded, the smoky clouds of his magic disappeared. The prince hauled me closer into his arms, sprinted through the ballroom doors, and without warning, hurled us into a shadow.
Damn shadowwalking.