Page 23 of Veil of Shadows

“May I ask what happened?”

“Stars...but it was a most unfortunate situation. Our northern lands had been plundered by the Lochen. An entire city had been seized, and Jax was needed, since I’m sure you can understand how useful his magic is in such situations. Thankfully, he and other powerful House nobles were able to restore order.”

I tried to imagine what those three days had been like for them, because if Jax’s magic had been utilized, there’d likely been fighting. “Does everyone know that Jax can wield magic from all four kingdoms? Before meeting him, I had no idea that any royal in any kingdom had that kind of ability.”

Alec laughed. “You would be surprised what the royals keep hushed throughout the kingdoms, but to answer your question, no, most don’t know what Jax is capable of. He doesn’t flaunt his magic. If anything, he keeps it hidden, and he never uses his Mistvale magic unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

“Why is that?”

“As you know, being able to wield magic from all four kingdoms is exceptionally rare. Once his magic began to manifest, his parents grew concerned. If word spreads that they bred such a powerful child, one likely capable of overpowering every other noble or royal on the continent, some may view him as threatening. The king and queen were concerned that an assassin would be sent to murder their sole heir. Therefore, they kept his magic a secret. Most don’t know of all that he’s capable of, although it’s common knowledge that he’s a stag shifter.”

My brow furrowed, but I nodded. “That’s why I had no idea about him. The royal family has kept his powerful magic concealed.”

“Indeed. The royal family, especially in this kingdom, isverygood at keeping secrets.” His expression turned grim, and I wondered if he was thinking about Bastian.

Not wanting to test the bargain’s ability to let me speak of the prince’s half-brother, I switched subjects. “Is everything back in order now on the northern coast?”

Alec grinned, revealing a mouthful of perfectly straight white teeth. “Oh yes, the city has been restored, and the Lochen who tried to steal our goods and cause egregious mayhem have been driven back to the sea. All is well once again. Until the next time, that is.” He laughed lightly.

Cocking my head, I tried to contemplate what other princely duties arose last minute like that for Jax. Truth be told, I had no idea. “Anyway, if we’re to be wandering about the palace this morning, does that mean the trip to Faewood is delayed?”

“Only slightly. We’re still doing that too, just a bit later than planned, thanks to this dastardly meeting.” The noble held out his arm, his chivalrous offer hard to refuse. “Shall we? I would love to show you more of the palace, Elowen. Let me lead the way.”

I keptmy hand looped through Alec’s as we strolled down a wide hall. Mosaic tiles covered the floor in this area of the palace’s north tower. Large bouquets of fresh flowers, carefully arranged in blue vases, dotted each table between windows. Fresh air swirled around us, and I inhaled deeply, loving the scent of roses and junipers.

We were two hours into our stroll, yet I was enjoying every minute of it. I was still slightly breathless from the long climb up the tower’s stairs, but the warm breeze swirling through the open windows and the bright sunshine streaming onto the patterned floor made the entire climb worth it.

“Then what happened after Nellip tripped?” I asked, still breathy as I smiled up at Alec.

The noble grinned. It was an expression I was quickly learning he wore regularly. “Probably what you would expect. Entirely intoxicated, Nellip fell down the stairs, staying unconscious the entire flight down. The prince, in a similar state, tried to break his fall...even though Nellip’s job as his personal guard is to keep him safe at all times. But no matter, Prince Adarian tried anyway, but all that did was make him join his guard in their tumble.”

I laughed softly, picturing it.

Flashing me another wide smile, Alec continued, “The two of them landed in a heap on the bottom landing, Nellip entirely oblivious, and the prince moaning in pain. And to top it all off, a stone sculpture of Queen Rashelle—a gift from the Nolus king many full seasons ago—promptly fell from the table they’d rolled into. It smashed on the top of Jax’s head and gave him a lovely cut that sliced him open just above his ear.”

I laughed, but even though Alec’s stories had all been light and fun, I had come to learn one important matter. All of the Dark Raider band’s nicknames were similar to their real names but spelled roughly backward.

Alec had also informed me I mustalwaysuse their real names when in public or where others might hear. A part of me warmed when he’d told me that. They obviously trusted me enough not to reveal that secret.

I raised my eyebrows. “And this unfortunate accident down the stairs was all because you were trying to out-drink one another?”

“Correct.”

“How . . . dashing.”

A twinkle filled his eyes. “I never said we had brains at that age. Brawn? Indeed.” He puffed his chest up. “But brains? No, none at all. In that department, we were severely lacking.”

“But you all recovered, obviously.”

“With horrendous hangovers, yes. Although, when the queen learned of our drinking game, the broken statue, and a deep gash on the sole heir, well. ..” He winced. “That didn’t go over so well. I’m afraid Nellip was banished from the palace. It was only after three months of the prince begging his mother to allow him to return that the queen finally relented. Nellip has never once drunk on the job again.”

I wrinkled my brow and thought back to the inns we’d stayed in during our travel to Stonewild’s palace. That wasn’t entirely true...

Alec’s smile turned cheeky. “Well, not in anyofficialcapacity, that is.” He waggled his eyebrows.

I laughed anew, the sound ringing down the hall.

Two wildling servants walking by us in the long corridor gave each other knowing looks before dipping their heads togetherand whispering. They scurried away, but not before I caught a few words.

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