Chapter 4 #3
“Look, Jack. Despite what your mother is saying, no one is buying that the king is coming here simply to offer his support against the Isogrim threat or to quell the unrest in exchange for this marriage. I think he is coming here to finish what she couldn’t while also staking his hold on our realm through this betrothal. ”
“Are you suggesting that my mother is conspiring to start the next great war?”
“I’m suggesting she’s merely one of several moving pieces on King Maelthar’s board. My gut tells me the king is trying to accomplish what the Shadow Court failed to do, and he’s starting by seeking a new alliance with Skadgard through this marriage and through this unrest.”
“You think the unrest is linked to Verrindor?”
“We’ve talked about this, Jack. This unrest isn’t something new.
Discontent with the crown has been festering for years, except it wasn’t organized, at least, not like this.
Something or someone is feeding the beast, and I think King Maelthar is seeking to exploit that, to use the realm’s instability to his advantage—if he isn’t the one directly pulling the strings, because I wouldn’t put it past the Unseelie Court to be the ones secretly stoking the fires of rebellion from within our kingdom. ”
I paced in a small circle. “It wouldn’t be the first time he’s meddled in another realm’s politics.”
“Exactly,” he said, though not relieved. “The unrelenting hunger for power that runs in that bloodline knows no bounds.”
I paused, meeting his eyes. “By that logic, I should be power-hungry, or have you forgotten unseelie blood runs in my veins?”
“Jack, there’s a reason the unseelie have always been feared and seen as untrustworthy, but I know you, and you’re different.
You might have inherited your mother’s unseelie magic, but it’s your father’s heart that lives in your chest.” He accentuated that comment by placing a palm over my heart.
“We were only kids when your father died, so I didn’t know him, but everyone still speaks of him as one of the most noble monarchs to have ever ruled over our realm, and that gives me hope.
“You’re not just the son of the serpent,” he went on.
“You’re a descendant of Skadgard’s long-revered dreki riders.
For Skadi’s sake, your blood traces back to the riders of the Wyrmhost, who fought with unmatched bravery against the Shadow Court.
The ones who could speak to the hrímdreki with nothing but a whisper and a thought. ”
His eyes shimmered with awe as he recited words he’d probably read in a history book.
“Only those of pure hearts were able to bond with the mighty beasts—or so our legends tell us. But still, that kind of lineage doesn’t just vanish.
It’s not only in your instincts when it comes to your affinity to all beasts, but it’s in the kindness that thrives within you. ”
I scoffed. “You give me too much credit. The riders were swept into history when the dreki were driven off our land. Their power is nothing but dust in my veins. The hrímdreki of our time, the ones who returned, would never allow one of our kind on their back.”
“The riders weren’t revered for power alone, Jack; they were guardians, honorable warriors. The dreki only answered to those who could match their fury with honor.”
A breath passed between us, his words sinking into my chest.
“You might not have a dreki at your side, but don’t think for a second that the legacy of your forefathers has forgotten you.”
I offered him a gentle smile, but inside, I couldn’t help but feel like a fraud.
No one knew how hard I had to fight against the nature of my mother’s blood, against the seduction of its black power.
I ran a hand through my hair. “We need to tread carefully,” I said, steering the conversation elsewhere.
“If this rebellion is real, and your suspicions about my mother and the Unseelie King’s deeper agenda prove to be true, we’re not just caught between two threats, but Skadgard will be at the crux of another great war. ”
“What’s your plan?”
“If my mother wants me bound to Verrindor by blood and marriage, it will be on one condition. She must surrender the Frostbound Crown to me. I have no true desire to take the throne, but I refuse to inherit a kingdom twisted by fear and corruption. Once I am king, I will restore our treaty with Yulreth and make it known to the entire continent that Skadgard stands for peace, not dominion. And if the darkness of the Shadow Court rises in the Wildlands, we will face it. Not alone, but united. And I’ll burn whatever black root still festers beneath our soil. ”
“And if your mother refuses to relinquish her power?”
“If I need to tap into my dark magic to protect the people of my realm from another gruesome war, I will. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Right now, this is still speculation. I’ll focus on my mother and the Unseelie King; I need you to focus on the brewing uprising.”
He leaned in, his eyes alight with mischief, his aloof-courtier mask falling into place effortlessly.
“Speaking of, since you don’t seem to care to join me for some spying, perhaps you should come join me for a drink in my parlor.
The meeting is not for hours. We’ll have plenty of time to indulge in some debauchery.
I have company coming. You could indulge in more than simple libation... might help clear your head.”
I exhaled sharply, knowing exactly how he planned to pass the time. The last thing I wanted right now was drunk sexual gratification with a female I didn’t know, especially when my body burned for someone else. “Not tonight.”
He sighed dramatically, eyeing the royal captain’s cloak draped over my arm. I stiffened at his probing stare.
His lips quirked. “Take care of that unfinished business, then. I’m telling you not as your shadow keeper, but as your friend.”
My gaze remained locked on the back of his coppered head as he ambled away and disappeared into the shadows. Sylvi’s cloak felt heavy in my arms, and I wondered if perhaps Ravin was right. Maybe it was time I stopped hiding behind duty and told her the truth.
I just needed to find the fucking balls to do it.