I lift my hands in front of me to show him that I’m not looking for a fight. “I can explain.”
The guard stomps forward, his hand falling to the pommel of the short sword at his waist. “Save your excuses for your king.”
As if my brother gives a shit about my perfectly valid reasons for disobeying a direct order.
The guard’s jaw works beneath his short beard. “King Boris specifically told you not to leave the castle. And this”—he wavesa hand toward the circle of stones—“doesn’t look like the castle, does it?”
“Good heavens, you’re right!” My hands fly to my cold cheeks. “Imagine the trouble we’ll both be in when the king finds out. Although,” I drawl, tapping my chin thoughtfully, “I have a feeling that I’ll fare better than you.” The last guard I slipped past is now working in the stables shoveling Pegasus shite.
This guard doesnotlike that one bit. The way his breath comes in angry white puffs reminds me of the stories my mother used to read to us about fire-breathing dragons.
“The way I see it, you have two choices,” I say. “You can either let me stay with my friends for a few hours, or we can both go back to the castle, and I can tell the king what a terrible job you’ve done trying to keep me in line.”
Allette pokes my spine. “That isn’t very nice.”
Maybe not, but this man is trying to take me away from her. No way in hell am I letting that happen tonight. If that means resorting to blackmail, then so be it.
Cursing, the guard rakes a hand through his chestnut-brown hair. “I will let you stay for one hour, but that is all. And you must swear not to speak a word of this to the king.”
One hour isn’t going to work for me. “Make it four, and we have a deal.”
“One,” the guard grits through his teeth.
“Five.”
His eyes ignite. “One.”
“Let’s make it six.” We’d really be pushing it with the time, though. Not that I care. It’s his neck on the line, not mine.
The guard curses again, and his shoulders deflate. “Sire…”
Allette’s friend tugs my girl away, and I overhear the silver-haired Tuath whisper, “Simon my arse. That is Prince Senan, isn’t it?”
Allette’s response leaves my stomach sinking. “Yes, but you cannot tell a soul. If the king finds out, we’ll both be in a world of trouble.”
Who I love should be none of the king’s fucking business. He has an entire territory to rule and yet he insists on dictating my every move. The order to remain in the castle on the most exciting night of the year? Boris’s doing. The journey to Nimbiss? Also Boris. Basically, if it’s terrible or makes me miserable, it was probably Boris’s idea.
The guard clears his throat, and his head falls. “Sire, please. I need this job. My mother, she isn’t well.”
Lovely. Now I feel bad for the blackmail. Allette looks at him with such kindness and sympathy in her eyes. The last thing I want is to disappoint her. “A compromise, then. Three hours and not a word to the king.” I hold out my hand, waiting for the guard to take it.
“No wonder you’ve no interest in your other suitors,” Wynn murmurs to Allette.
Do not get me started on Allette’s fucking suitors. Not once has she ever mentioned another man. I don’t know why I assumed I was the only one seeking her affections. The woman is stunning, has a kind heart and the most beautiful laugh. A man would be a fool not to fall head over heels in love with her.
I glance over my shoulder to where she waits, cloaked in shadows with her friend.
Look at that heart-shaped face.Who wouldn’t obsess over her long, luxurious waves the color of a cloudless sky or her beautiful wings that match. Her golden eyes seem to hold so many secrets, you’d sell your very soul to learn them all.
The worst part is, those other suitors can visit her in the open. They can offer her so much more than me all because my life belongs to the crown of Kumulus. I never asked to be borna prince. And if anyone offered me a way out, I’d jump at the chance.
The guard finally relents, sliding his hand into mine for an aggressive shake.
Victory never tasted as sweet. Three hours of bliss before returning to hell.
I twist toward the women, meeting their wide-eyed gazes. “Get your skirts on, ladies. We’re staying.”
Allette and Wynn let out exuberant squeals, bouncing up and down in each other’s arms before disappearing around one of the standing stones. I toss my pack onto the frozen ground and drag out the faded coat and boots Aeron lent me. He wore the very same two years ago when he came for Samhain—the coat still smells like bonfire smoke. I wonder if he was saddled with a guard as a babysitter as well. Probably not. He always seems to get away with more than me.