Poppy had fallen back to sleep before I’d even finished pulling on my sweater and boots. I went to the door once more and then stopped, wanting to look back at her, to make sure she was comfortable, but I stopped myself. If I did, I’d likely say fuck it all and climb back into bed with her.
I quietly left the chamber, not liking the idea of leaving her alone, even though Kieran was only two doors away and would hear anything of concern.
Not bothering with the steps, I placed a hand on the railing and leapt over it. Cold, night air and flurries reached up, swallowing me. Landing in a crouch, I rose. My boots swept through the snow as I crossed under the roof of the second-floor hall and entered through a side door. The keep was quiet as I made my way back to the study.
Elijah was there, once more behind the desk. Delano was with him. There was a good chance neither of them had left, but another had joined them. A fair-haired man who worked alongside Alastir. Irritation pricked at my skin as he turned to me, issuing a stiff bow. Delano raised his brows at me as he took a drink from the same glass of whiskey he’d likely been nursing for hours.
“Orion,” I greeted the Atlantian with a handshake. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”
“No, you haven’t.” Orion smiled tightly. “It’s been quite some time since you were at the capital.”
“It has.” I crossed my arms. “Didn’t expect to see you in this neck of the woods.”
“I’d rather carve out my heart than be here, but I’ve been sent to deliver a letter of the utmost importance.” Orion reached inside his cloak and pulled out a folded piece of parchment.
I took it, turning it over as Elijah asked Orion about his travels. The golden seal bearing the Atlantian crest—the sun with a sword and arrow—had me feeling some kind of something. Nostalgia for home? Maybe. But the faint line cutting through the center of the seal told me it had been broken and the wax remelted.
Smiling tightly, I glanced up at Orion as I broke the seal. He returned my smile as he answered Elijah’s question. Not a single part of me was surprised he’d read it. He was, after all, loyal to the Crown and Alastir, and he would want to know what Emil had to say to the Prince of Atlantia.
Unfolding the letter, the muscle in my jaw started ticking the moment I read the first line. I gave the rest a quick scan. The letter was written in a way that most wouldn’t understand. Clever Emil had encoded it, but it was clear to me. He had done his best to run interference with Alastir, but somehow word of my whereabouts and plans had still managed to make it back to the Advisor’s ears.
Which meant my father, the King, was also aware of what I was doing. That I sought to capture the Maiden.
I couldn’t be shocked that word had finally made it back to Alastir. However, I didn’t expect to read the last part.
My father, the King, was en route to New Haven.
Fucking gods.
“Glad to hear you made it here before the storm,” Delano said. “But I’m confused.”
I glanced up, gaze flicking from Delano to Orion.
Orion raised a brow. “What are you confused about?”
“Well, maybe confused isn’t the right word,” Delano mused, setting his glass on the table. “I suppose awed is a better choice. I’m awed that you would show up with a missive for the Prince the same day he arrived in New Haven.”
I slowly folded the letter.
“Now that leaves me in awe,” Elijah added, his booted feet on the desk and a big-ass smile on his bearded face. “Perfect timing.”
“It truly was,” Orion stated blandly. Nothing about his tone hinted at deceit, but the corner of his right eye twitched. “I suppose I’m lucky.”
“I suppose you are.” Delano smiled, and his blue eyes brightened. “Oh, wait. There is something both Elijah and I are confused about. You arrived shortly after the Prince did.”
“And yet you waited until now to summon me?” I asked.
“I rode long and hard to get here, Your Highness.” Orion lifted his chin. “I was hungry and needed a moment to collect myself.”
“Well, we all need moments to collect ourselves.” I smiled. “When did my father leave for New Haven?”
Elijah’s gaze shot to me, the smile slipping from his face.
“I’m sorry?” Orion frowned.
“Let’s not pretend you didn’t read this missive and then attempt to conceal that fact.” I tossed the letter onto the desk.
Orion’s shoulders stiffened. A moment passed. “It is my duty to keep Alastir informed, therefore the King and Queen informed—”
“Yes. Yes. I know. You were just doing your duty. Now, do it again,” I said. “When did my father leave?”
“I imagine shortly after Alastir sent me. He will likely arrive within a day or so, depending on the track of this storm,” Orion told us. “I’m to rejoin him at Berkton.”
I hid my shock. Berkton was about half a day’s ride from here if one pushed it—a village on the cusp of the Dead Bones Clan’s woods and long since forgotten. No Rise existed there any longer. The homes had all turned to rubble, but the manor still stood and was often used as a hideout. One unfit for a King and the Crown’s Advisor, because if my father came, so would Alastir.
Fucking gods, this was a highly problematic development. One I would have to deal with shortly.
I eyed Orion. I didn’t know the man well, but I did know Alastir. He was like a second father to me. The only reason he’d let Orion deliver a missive from Emil was because it fed him additional information. Alastir always liked to know more than what he was told. He’d sent Orion to snoop, which was why he would be rejoining them at Berkton instead of waiting for them to arrive here, where much nicer accommodations awaited.
“Oh, no,” Delano murmured. “He’s got that look.”
Orion frowned as he glanced at the blond-haired wolven.
“Yep.” Elijah nodded. “He does.”
Delano leaned forward. “Do you know what that look means?” He gestured with his chin in my direction.
My tight smile remained.
The Atlantian shook his head as he looked me over. “No, I don’t.”
“I’ve seen it, well, a time or a hundred,” Delano went on. “That smile you see? It’s always a warning.”
Orion’s inhale was swift as his gaze darted between us.
“It usually comes right before a lot of blood is spilled,” Delano said.
“A lot,” Elijah added.
“They speak the truth.” My smile grew, baring a hint of fang. “I’m going to make something very clear to you, Orion. I know you’re serving Alastir, therefore the Crown, and you must be a terribly loyal man to travel alone into vampry-infested lands.”
“I am very loyal.” His chin lifted a notch.
“Here’s the thing, though. I don’t care about your loyalty to Alastir or my father. Here?” I spread my arms wide. “I am not my father’s son. I’m not your Prince. I’m just a man not to be fucked with, so I will only ask you this once. What do you plan to tell the King when you return to them?”
Orion’s lips thinned as he locked his amber eyes on me. “I will tell them that the rumors are true. That you have captured the Maiden, and she is here with you.”