Page 37 of The Night Prince

“I probably shouldn’t say anything, but he has a bit of a problem with alcohol. Ever since... well, he had some dark years, before he came to Lowfell.” She offers me a terse smile. “He’s doing well now, but... there are temptations in places like this.”

Alfie’s squeal cuts through the crowd. Behind us, Arran has the small boy in a headlock while he talks to a couple of men by the cart. “He seems like a good father,” I say.

A dark laugh escapes her lips as she pauses by a cheese stall. “I wish he was the father.” She shakes her head. “Alfie’s not mine, either. Not biologically, anyway. His mother was my dearest friend. Blake... he scared me, that night when he killed Father. I left Lowfell, fled to a village close to Madadh-allaidh. Alfie’s mother took me in.” She bites her bottom lip. “Her husband was an abusive shite. I watched it happen, how he slowly killed her. She wouldn’t leave him—even though I implored her to. Eventually, it was too late. He murdered her, and damned near killed the wee lad, as well. I got him out of there, and brought him here.”

“I’m so sorry,” I say.

She shrugs as if she’s pretending to be unaffected, but her jaw sets. “The bastard never paid for what he did.” She pats her dagger again. “One day, I’m going to make him pay.”

“Where is he?” I ask.

“Castle Madadh-allaidh. You might have met him when you were there. His name is Magnus.”

Ice spreads inside me as I recall the sallow-faced wolf with greasy dark hair. He was a prisoner in the Borderlands Castle when I met Callum, and he threatened me that night, and has done so numerous times since. The last I heard of him, Blake had poisoned him and left him in his infirmary.

“I had the displeasure of meeting him,” I say. “Does Blake know all of this?”

“Aye, he knows. I asked him not to kill him. I want to look into his eyes when he dies. Blake’s been torturing the bastard for the past few years.” She shakes her head. “Magnus knows Alfie is here. He thinks Blake is keeping him hostage. It’s how Blake has him wrapped around his little finger.”

“You disapprove,” I say.

“I’ve no qualms with him tormenting the bastard, but I wish he wouldn’t use the lad to do it.”

Sensing I’ve touched on a sore subject, I ask, “Are you and Arran together?”

She laughs a little too loudly for it to be real. “Us two? Together?” She waves a hand dismissively. “No. Of course not.” I must not hide my skepticism, because she exhales and can’t quite meet my eye. “He’s a good man. He’s been good to us both. He’s even tried it on with me a couple of times over the years, but... well...” She bites her lip, some of the spark dimming in her eyes. She shakes her head. “The goddess has other plans, unfortunately.”

My eyebrows pinch together. “What do you mean?”

“Ah, nothing. Just... his soul belongs to another.”

“He has feelings for someone else?”

“You could say that. She’s back in King’s City, I think.” Elsie shrugs. “He pines for her, sometimes. He thinks I don’t know, but I do.” She bites her bottom lip. “I wish I could look past it. After everything I’ve been through... I want someone who belongs only to me—heart, body, and soul. I think I deserve that.”

“You do.”

She grins suddenly, and her face lights up. “Have you started that book I lent you?”

“Yes. But then your brother took it off me.”

“Did he now? I’ll find you another.” She points toward a stall by the side of the loch, laden with different colored fabrics, and speeds up. “Come on, let’s get you a dress for the feast. I get all of mine from here.”

I can’t deny I’m a little excited as I follow her to the vendor. After everything that has happened lately, it’s nice to have some semblance of normalcy. My fingers itch to pick something that will make Callum as tongue-tied as he was the last time I wore a nice dress.

***

On the way back to Lowfell an hour or so later, I have three new dresses draped over my arm that Elsie was kind enough to purchase for me. Arran is in a dark mood. I wonder if he drank something, and Elsie’s nostrils flare a couple of times as if she’s trying to determine the same thing. Sensing they might need a moment, I stride ahead to join Alfie. He offers me an apple, and starts naming the nearby sheep.

“Is everything alright?” Elsie’s lowered voice carries in the wind.

“I’m not sure,” says Arran. “Apparently people have been seen entering the chapel by the water. I have a bad feeling Night’s Acolytes might be rising once more. There are rumors that the Night Prince is getting ready to free his master. It could make things difficult.”

“Aye,” she replies softly. “It could.”

Chapter Fifteen

Callum returns to Lowfell that evening. He joins me in our chambers as the sun is setting over the loch. Settling in one of the armchairs in front of the hearth, he tells me about his day. It’s drizzling outside, and his shirt is damp and clings to his muscular shoulders and torso.

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