Chapter 42
METILAI
Xoran smuggled them inside the palace with Lerek’s help. Terena was surprised to learn Lerek had approached Xoran to spy on his father, making keeping the captain’s promise to Terena easy.
Her mind barely registered the fact when Xoran first arrived at Neokles’s shop. Terena’s thoughts were instead occupied with the news of her brother’s and Orry’s arrests.
Pacing the small pantry, Terena grumbled an apology when she accidentally stepped on Vassori, who grabbed onto Ren’s arm so she wouldn’t trip. The room was stuffy but much larger than many of the rooms they’d stayed in over the past year.
“We’re sitting ducks,” Gabriol snapped, cracking his neck. He leaned against a wall to the right of the door.
Terena sighed and planted herself beside him. Across from her, Cassandra huddled close to Migela, who was signing something to the seer. Terena frowned when she caught the end of their conversation.
“No,” Terena said with a shake of her head.
“You’re staying here, or somewhere safer where only Xoran or Lerek know where you are.
” She turned her attention to Cassandra.
“If you can try to… do whatever you do to see where the amulet is, do it now. If it doesn’t work or we’re interrupted, wait until Xoran takes you somewhere safer.
And you,” she pointed a finger at Migela, who stared back at her with a nod.
“I want you to stay at her side. Do not leave and do not let her leave. Anywhere you go, she goes. When we’re out of here, we’ll find the amulet and use to it help us against Hermes if he tries anything. ”
“I doubt he’ll try to hurt you again,” Vassori said. “But he will use whatever means necessary to get you on his side once more.”
“That’s never going to happen,” Terena mumbled, pushing away from the shelves at her back.
“It will,” Vassori said with a sympathetic smile. “It’s inevitable. You’ll need him. For what’s to come.”
Terena looked at the tracker. She’d told Vassori what happened before leaving Ravos.
Vassori hadn’t seemed surprised Hermes had hit her, nor about what happened after, which the tracker called his ‘punishment’.
Terena had disregarded it at the time, but wondered if the tracker knew more than she was letting on.
“You know,” Terena said as she crossed her arms. “This isn’t the first time you’ve said some cryptic shit. If you’re going to stay part of this team, Vas, you need to start talking. Why was Hermes looking for you in the first place?”
Vassori’s gaze darkened. “I am a cypher.”
Gabriol pushed away from the wall to face her. “We know that already.”
“What did you mean about Hermes being punished? Who punished him? What did he do? And how do you know what’s to come? Are you also a seer like this one?” Terena nodded over in Cassandra’s direction but her eyes remained locked on Vassori.
Vas shrugged. “I am no seer. But I am bound to someone. Someone like you. But more powerful. Much more. I cannot say more or I’ll be censored.
But I know who punished Hermes and I know why.
Someday, I’ll be free to say more, but I am not now.
Trust me when I say, it is all for you. You are all that matters right now. ”
Terena smirked. “Me? What about Sonah?”
“Her time will come.”
“And in the meantime?”
Vas opened her mouth to answer when two quick knocks sounded on the door. Gabriol straightened. Two more quick knocks after a pause and the door opened enough to allow Xoran to squeeze in.
“What news?” Terena asked before Xoran closed the door. The man looked at them all, his usual cocky sneer and insults gone as he studied Terena. His hair was unusually disheveled and his hand shook as he brought it up to his mouth.
“It’s not good.” His gaze drifted over all of them before he nodded at Terena. “Lerek asked me to bring you to his chambers. You are to wear this.”
He produced a long black cloak and bronze helm in the style of the City Watch. Terena took the items from him, handing the helm to Gabriol while she fastened the cloak.
“What about Gabriol? Or Vas?”
Xoran shook his head. He exchanged a look with his sister Terena couldn’t decipher.
“Lerek said only you. I’ve found a place for your friends to lie low until we’ve a plan in place.”
“No,” Terena said. “Take these two there now. I’ll find more of these for your sister and Gabe.”
“You don’t understand,” Xoran hissed as he took a step toward her. His momentum was halted as Gabriol slammed his hand on Xoran’s chest.
The captain gave Terena and Gabriol an exasperated look.
“I’m trying to help you, Luca. We can hide you, but any more and we’re inviting trouble.
The city is crawling with soldiers right now.
The emperor is hosting a special feast two nights from now and the royals have already started arriving.
He’s even extended a truce to the Dukes Aurora and Tursk.
“Your decisive win at Colinas has already reached the ears of the visiting royals and dignitaries. The emperor and General Peleon are getting hammered with questions about their safety with you and Hermes running around. Stories have already reached Emperor Solon about the army at your back. His response was to triple the guard within the palace and Sergeant Ironia has recruited two hundred more men into the City Watch since I’ve arrived back in Metilai. ”
He sighed and held up a hand when Terena was about to respond. “Lerek has something planned, but he only wants to speak with you. Vas and Gabriol need to stay. For now.”
“Fuck that!” Vassori said at the same time Terena voiced her objection.
“I’m not leaving them behind! Vas and Gabe come with or I am razing this place to the fucking ground right now.”
Xoran clamped his mouth shut and glared at his sister. After a moment of tension so thick Terena wanted to scream, Xoran nodded curtly and opened the door.
“You two stay here,” he whispered to Migela and Cassandra. Xoran looked at his sister and motioned with his head. She followed him out of the room, with Gabriol at her heels.
Before leaving the room, Terena turned to Migela. “Wait for Xoran. I’ll find you when I can.”
Cassandra impulsively reached out, grabbing Terena’s hand before she could leave.
Her face was pale, and she chewed on her bottom lip as she raised fearful eyes to Terena.
“Do not kill the emperor,” Cassandra said hurriedly. “Whatever happens. I’ve seen it, Ren. Do not kill him. He’ll provoke you. Don’t fall for it.”
Terena frowned. “I’m only going to see Lerek. I don’t plan on killing Solon.”
Cass’s chin quivered and her eyes turned blurry. “He doesn’t know what he’ll unleash. He thinks he’s clever, but he’s not the one in control. Save your wrath, Ren. Do not kill him.”
Terena stopped herself from rolling her eyes when she caught the desperation in the seer’s expression.
“Have you seen something?”
Cassandra loosed a shaky sigh.
“I’ve seen it all, Ren. Gods help us.”
The longer he waited, the more Lerek hated his idea. And honestly, after the disastrous way his idea to run off and marry Terena had turned out, he worried this might be another one of those outcomes.
Lerek strode for the door, ready to find Xoran and call a halt to everything, when a single loud thump of the door sounded.
Xoran called out to enter and Lerek rushed forward, grabbing the handle and swinging the door wide.
“Quick,” Lerek muttered as he stepped aside.
He nodded as Xoran passed, his eyes immediately moving to the vision behind him.
It took him a moment to realize she was not alone.
One of the mercenaries from the camp and another woman came in with her.
Terena closed the door behind her and smiled grimly at Lerek.
The mercenary, a large beast of a man with long ashen hair braided in the style of the Roisons, glared over at him as he crossed his thick arms. The steel blue of his eyes promised pain and punishment, neither of which suited Lerek.
“These aren’t your rooms,” Ren said, looking around the antechamber. “What happened? Solon gave them away already?”
“You’ve heard?” Lerek scoffed as he shifted his attention back to his love.
“Heard what?”
“About my brother? Adonis, my half-brother.”
Terena frowned and the way her nose scrunched made his heart stutter. He looked away.
“What about him?”
“Father had him officially announced as his successor. Only a month ago, but… He occupies the crown prince’s chambers now.”
“You’re the crown prince,” Terena said with a tilt of her head. Her hair flopped down her shoulder to swing gently. The way the light caught—
“Lerek?”
“What? Aye, I am, but not technically. Father arranged for a feast on Helios, two days from now, to reinstate me as crown prince and heir to the throne. He’s invited the royals and other dignitaries, including several from beyond the Black Sea.”
“Congratulations.”
“Highness,” Xoran stepped in, looking between Lerek and Terena. “I must return to get her friends safely secured. I’ll meet you in the throne room.”
Before he left, Xoran turned back. “There’s an empty guest chamber in the Diamond Tower. One floor above the main gallery. It hasn’t been assigned to anyone arriving for the feast, so I’ll take your friends there. Do you know—”
“I know this castle like the back of my hand,” Ren said before he finished speaking. She never moved her eyes away from Lerek while she spoke, but looked at Xoran when she finished.
Ren and Xoran exchanged a look. Lerek’s brows drew down as his captain closed the door softly behind him.
Turning to Ren, Lerek opened his mouth only to find she’d wandered further into the rooms, moving into the small dining room with its elegantly appointed crystal centerpieces and gleaming cherry Desseron chairs. One of those chairs could feed the orphanage of St. Adonis for a year.
No matter how many times Lerek complained about the excess, his father turned a blind and surly eye.
And this was the youngest prince’s former rooms.
“It feels strange being back.”
Lerek jolted at Terena’s words. She’d spoken softly, running her hand along the backs of the chairs. The other two remained in the antechamber.
Turning, Terena strolled into the main room, the plush seating strategically set. A large fire crackled in the hearth off to the right.
“Aye,” Lerek answered, clasping his hands behind his back as he followed her into the other room.
He watched as she gazed around at the furnishings and art on the walls. Pausing to look at a marble bust of his father, she tossed a wink at him over her shoulder.
“Was your father elated? His favorite son back from the dead.”
“Don’t…” Lerek shook his head. “Don’t say that.”
“What?” Terena quirked an eyebrow at him as her lips parted. “He wasn’t happy to see you?”
“Of course he was,” Lerek grumbled, mirroring her movements. He stopped when she did, crossing his arms over his chest.
“How’s my brother?”
Lerek stiffened. He knew Ren well enough to know when her voice went all soft and sweet, it wasn’t a good thing.
“He’s in the dungeons still. I’m working on something to get him out but I wanted to tell you about it first. Because I need you to play a part.”
“Distraction?”
“Aye.”
Terena stared back at him before moving away, her eyes roving about the room once more. Casually, she glanced at him over her shoulder.
Lerek cleared his throat. “As I said, my father is hosting the succession dinner in two days’ time.
I need you to blend in with the City Watch—don’t worry, I’ll have Xoran supply you with the rest of the uniform—and then make your surprise appearance.
You’ll confront my father, keeping him and his Guard busy while I slip out and free your brother. ”
“And Orry.”
Lerek hesitated.
Shit. He’d known she was going to bring it up, but still he’d shoved it away, hoping she’d just agree to the plan and they could deal with their friend later.
Swallowing, Lerek lifted his head. “High Cleric Christos has Orry.”
When Ren’s head swiveled around, he held up his hands to forestall her. “Look. It happened before I even heard about it. Christos went directly to my father and Orry was transferred within an hour.”
“Transferred? Transferred where?”
“He’s at Thanoras House.”
Lerek waited for her reaction. Thanoras House was the cleric college, where acolytes and scholars go to become clerics or priests. Orry matriculated at the House years ago and Lerek hoped it would assuage her anger, at least.
“He has plans for him,” Terena said under her breath, but he caught it as she neared him.
“Aye, knowing Christos, of course he does. But at least he’s safe.”
Ren gave him a doubtful glance before turning away.
“So. I go in and, all by my lonesome, I distract your father with all the royals and dignitaries in attendance.”
“Not to mention the Imperial Guard and City Watch.”
Lerek frowned as he shot a glance at the behemoth mercenary. The blank stare the man looked back at him with made Lerek shudder.
“Aye, thank you Gabe.”
“Something tells me you won’t have a problem with them,” Lerek muttered.
The woman snorted and Ren flashed her a grin.
“Orry is still a problem.” Ren shook her head as she looked at the ground in thought. “We’ll just have to get him out after I deal with your father.”
“Ren,” Lerek started, then cleared his throat. “I know this isn’t the time—”
“No,” Ren said as she pivoted. “It’s not. Get me the uniform and I’ll do it. I’ll be the distraction. Work with Xoran on the details of your end. But they include Vassori and Gabriol,” she said with a wave of her hand at her friends.
Taken aback by how short she was with him, Lerek simply stared back at her. When she tilted her head expectantly, all he could do was nod.
“Good,” she chirped, striding past him to the door.
“And, Lerek?”
Lerek looked over at her. She seemed like a stranger to him. Pain stabbed through his chest, as if his heart was shriveling. It was all he could do not to bring his hand up to rub the hurt away.
“Get him out alive. If anything happens to my brother, I’ll kill you.”