Page 56 of Shadows and Roses

Convincing the Queen and her Escorts to let him go alone had been no easy task. Jerome said nothing and only stared at him the entire conversation; that man probably didn’t trust himself on a bad day. Between refusing to tell them the location of the meeting or any of his friends’ names, Castien was mildly surprised they didn’t lock him in a cell as a spy.

Instead, he rode with their reluctant blessing, and was now approaching the forests with no one in sight—this particular section of the treeline opened to flat plains that would make it easy to spot anyone trying to follow him. After he dismounted and began to lead his horse into the trees, an owl hooted loudly nearby. Except it was daytime and owls didn't reside within these woods.

Castien cupped his hands and blew, shifting his fingers a few times before he got it right. He was never very good at this.

Laughter burst out from behind a bush. A tall, brown-haired man stepped around and looked him over.

"Look who’s finally showing his face again. We thought you’d forgotten about us when the Queen took an interest in you," Damon said.

"I could never forget your ugly mugs. Or that distinctive perfume of, ah, what is it…" He exaggerated an inhalation. "Dirt, sweat, hard work—oh yes. Peasantry. Unforgettable."

Damon laughed. "You’re lucky you’re so damn pretty, lordling. I’d knock a few teeth out of anyone else who gave me your lip."

"Bah. You can’t afford to damage me, commoner."

Damon grinned, slapped him on the back, and pulled him into a hug. A few other rebels stepped out from the trees. He recognized two of them, Kevam with his dark, curly hair and always-severe expression, and Jerrl with a small scar on his cheek from a tussle witha chicken. The others stayed back.

"Let me get a good look at you, you pompous fool," Damon muttered. "You are truly unharmed? We received your messages, but they were unlike you. The last time you sent less than a full page of rambling nonsense, a girl broke your heart. You didn’t fall in love again, did you?"

A little too close to the truth. Castien didn’t allow himself to wince. "I’m fine, I’m fine. I’ll admit the first moon was… difficult. The palace is an entirely different world. All the worst of what you told me—and more. I never really believed you, you know?"

Damon’s eyes darkened. "Do you want out? I mean it every time I ask, Cas. Even the crown would never find you."

As a pet of the Night Courts, he’d always laughed at the suggestion. Now he hesitated before smiling. "No. Like I said, things are better now." A couple of weeks ago—perhaps. But he hadn’t asked to be rescued, wouldn’t enlighten his friends if they didn’t already know. He didn’t want to worry them.

Damon shook his head. "Your love of luxury will be the death of you. But not yet, eh? I heard you’re one of the Queen’s Escorts. Come. You can tell us everything at camp."

Following along, Castien admired the tall trees and dense undergrowth. It would be easy to hide in here. "When’d you decide to camp here? I don’t remember this one."

Damon shrugged. "It’s small and unimportant. Sorry, Cas, we never made that cottage."

Castien chuckled. They set off on a winding path through the overgrown forest until it suddenly opened into a clearing. There were a few structures set up, mainly small tents and one larger, open tent. A small fire sat in the center with some barrels, crates, and a drying rack surrounding the area. Castien counted about a dozen people, including his welcoming party.

"Cas!" A woman leaped up from the largest tent, dashing over and throwing her arms around him. Castien laughed. "Rel,my sweet, it’s good to see you too. Are we having a reunion party for me?" They settled into the tent, Jerrl passing around mugs of beer.

Relyana kissed him on the cheek and stepped back. "No, silly boy. Aphaia and Pelios are the only other captains with us today."

Too many captains in one small camp. Castien’s brow lifted. "What’s the play?"

Damon snorted. "You, lordling. We really were considering rescuing you despite your idiotic message. Then you became an Escort. Untouchable. What happened? Even you aren’t that attractive."

A smile tugged at Castien’s lips, halted by Damon’s serious tone. Castien examined his friend. Damon was… suspicious. Castien frowned. "The Queen is not what we thought."

Damon raised a brow.

"She knew about my connection to you. She knows you’re the leader of the rebellion and she still let me come to you. They want an alliance."

Damon looked him over slowly. "What did she do to you?"

"Nothing. Damon—"

One of Damon’s hands slipped beneath the table. "She’s the Queen. Nearly two moons in that palace. People have been turned in less time. Did she torture you? Or make promises for my head?"

Castien finally noticed the tension in his friends. Even Relyana seemed wary.

He glanced between his friends and a few other rebels watching him, their hands on their weapons. "Damon, you know me. All she did was show me her Inner Circle. Ask Harlen what he saw and heard in the Queen's Wing."

Damon pursed his lips. "The boy wasn’t exactly given a tour."

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