Chapter 18 #2
‘Flaunt our relationship?’ I snarl, the words flying from me along with a thousand shards of ice.
He ruptures them into snowflakes just before they hit him.
‘You have no control over your mind,’ he huffs. ‘I don’t say this unkindly, but your irrationality and emotions would make you the worst leader in Issen history.’
‘I’d love to hear what you’d say if you were being unkind,’ I bite back. ‘And just so you know, if Kyor was actually attacking you, you’d be dead before you even realised.’
The Issen draws in a long breath before looking back at the city.
‘You’re right,’ he says. ‘We should go further away from the city.’
‘Actually, I probably need to head back,’ I respond, and not just because he’s irritating me. ‘I’m going to complete the third stage of the Veil this afternoon.’
‘Complete it?’ He raises an eyebrow, and a slight smirk brushes his lips.
When he speaks, his tone is condescending.
‘Princess, nobody has ever completed the third stage of the Veil the first time, and that includes your beloved grandfather. I believe the record is four trips – held by both General Ranveeg and me.’
Of fucking course. Ugh.
I turn around, ready to call Kyor, when I notice the figures approaching from the city.
I recognise the leader as Uzra, his dark hair tied in a bun today, in the style favoured by Issen men. ‘Princess,’ he greets me.
‘Uzra,’ I reply warmly with a smile. The man hauled me up a ridiculous number of steps. He’s definitely made it to the top of my list of favourite people in Isthyr.
Uzra stands in front of twenty or so men and women, a mixture of Issen and Morathkian soldiers. ‘I hope training has been going well for you.’
‘Yes, thank you,’ I reply. ‘I’m getting really good at breathing,’ I say drily.
He grins. ‘The Issen are precious about their three breaths, and my grandchildren were taught the technique soon after crawling. I was wondering if I could take the prince off your hands for a time? It’s been a while since my men have fought against a full storm wielder, so I thought it might do them some good to practise.
And it’d be good to see if his magic is as good as his swordsmanship.
’ He looks at Kyor. ‘If you don’t mind showing us a bit of what you’ve got? ’
‘You want me to actually use my powers on your men?’ Kyor questions incredulously.
‘Well, I’d rather you didn’t kill them,’ Uzra laughs, ‘but it only seems fair that we see what you’ve got too, don’t you agree? Non-lethal force, though, Your Highness. Buffet them with wind, rain, and hail. Lift them from the ground if you can.’
A smile tips up Kyor’s lips. ‘What do you mean, if?’
Uzra grins back.
Kyor glances at me, then shifts his attention to Stefan, eyes narrowing.
‘I’ll accompany Rose back to the palace,’ Stefan promises. ‘She’ll be chaperoned, don’t worry.’
‘That wasn’t what I was worrying about,’ Kyor growls back.
‘I’ll have Fen and Elska with me,’ I assure him.
He doesn’t look convinced. ‘Just so you know, I told Elska to rip out your liver and eat it while you watch if you so much as lay a hand on Rose,’ he says to Stefan.
‘Noted,’ the Issen replies drily.
As I turn to go, my eye catches Uzra’s. He offers a reassuring smile and the slightest flicker of his eyes towards Kyor. I understand instantly. He’s going to try to make Kyor open up and discuss his father.
It’s a fair walk back, and given that I have Stefan chaperoning me the entire time, it seems foolish not to use the opportunity to learn more about the Issen and the Veil.
‘So how come it took you four days to pass the third stage?’ I ask him. ‘What did you have to do?’
He turns his head to look at me, a deep V etched between his brows.
‘The Veil is a sacred path. We do not share what we are shown.’
‘But you did share with me that you completed it in four attempts,’ I point out.
He pouts slightly, as if I’ve deliberately tripped him up, which in a way I have. But whether he meant to or not, he has told me one important detail about the third stage of the Veil: it will show me something. It’s a starting place.
I change tack. ‘Fine then, can I ask you something different? Nothing to do with the Veil.’
‘If it is appropriate, then certainly, but I wish to know something from you in return.’
‘Which is?’ I might as well answer his question first. That way I’ll have more time to ask him about the lace patterns on the men’s skin.
‘I want to know why you chose the prince,’ he asks. ‘It seems like a strange match.’
‘Really? How so?’ I ask, genuinely curious to see how we’re perceived.
After all, in the Issen’s eyes, ours is a match of royalty with royalty, rather than the prince and the stripped slum rat.
Though admittedly, it’s royalty of two different kingdoms who have been at war for generations, but still.
‘He holds you back,’ Stefan says.
Let me kill him.
It’s not Fen’s voice but Elska’s that snaps into my mind, her irritation sharp and hot. Holding you back? she snarls. As if your mate could ever hold you back. He adores you! Would do anything for you.
Don’t worry, I tell her calmly. I’ve got this.
I press my lips into a tight smile and meet Stefan’s gaze with absolute certainty.
‘No,’ I say honestly. ‘Kyor doesn’t hold me back. He pushes me. Pushes me to become the best version of myself. Pushes me further than I thought I could go. I wouldn’t be here without him.’
Fen hums in my mind. And you enjoy the mating ritual. You should tell him how eager you always are for your mate.
My face warms. So not helpful right now, I reply.
Stefan hesitates, biting down on his bottom lip. ‘That is not what I have seen. But in that case, it must be difficult, knowing there’s no future for the two of you.’
‘Sorry?’ I stop in my tracks.