Page 41 of A Game of Monsters

The king within me rose to the surface, filling my voice with command. “Then I will speak with Cassial immediately on said plans.”

“Unfortunately, Cassial is occupied at this time,” Zarrel cut in, short and certainly not sweet. “As mentioned, the moment he is free, you may speak with him on any matter you now feel is important.”

I dared not look to Erix, but I sensed his bubbling disdain like a shield at my back.

“I – we – don’t have the time to waste.”

Zarrel’s wings flared, itching to spread and show dominance like he was a pheasant. “Unless you feel your personal matters outweigh the good of two realms, please show some patience. Cassial understands you wish to speak with him, but you will have to wait.”

I replied through gritted teeth. “Iwishto speak with Rafaela, but that is clearly proving to be more difficult. I’m beginning to wonder why.”

“Do we ask about the happenings in your court?”

A shiver raced down my spine at his question. “Excuse me?”

Zarrel’s smile irked me in the deepest parts of my soul. “Forgive me, but I’m simply asking if we, at any point, have shown interest in what happens inside of Icethorn’s borders? Do we question you on your people or where they are, what they are doing?”

“You don’t need to explain yourself to him,” Erix glowered, more monster than man.

His response clearly amused Zarrel, who let out a belly laugh. “Oh, dear. Perhaps we do need to show more interest in the way the fey courts are run. Clearly, as evidence and history show, you all have barely coped residing beside one another. Betrayals, the unjust murders of monarchs and such. Thank theCreatorwe are here to help right wrongs and fix all the damage caused in our absence. I must say, Robin, I expected more from you. Instead, I’m presented by someone who allows their guards to speak for them.”

Ice crackled in the air around my balled hands. Zarrel noticed but didn’t care.

“Be careful,” I warned. “Very careful.”

“Of what, Robin Icethorn?” His eyes tracked me up and down. “You?”

“Yes.”

Zarrel swivelled on his heel and made a move to leave. The urge to reach for his hand and stop him was a siren call. “Please, do explain.”

I took a deep breath, all hopes of staying demure fading fast. “Is there an issue here, between us, I mean?”

It was an obvious question with an equally obvious answer, but this was the chance for Zarrel to address it. He looked me up and down, amused by something he saw. Erix hung back, listening and waiting, but doing as I had silently commanded.

“Why would there be, Your Majesty?” Zarrel finally replied.

Up until this moment I felt as though I was being scorned like a demanding child every time Zarrel spoke to me. “Listen, I understand we have our differences. No doubt you have opinions of me that you have formed due to my… previous decisions and actions. But the past is the past, and we are currently in a future of peace secured by those very mistakes you may believe I made. I think, for the sake of the next few days, you air your grievances with me, or we leave them in this corridor and forget them.”

Zarrel took a moment to let my words sink in. Then, slowly but undoubtedly, he began to let his guard down. “You’re right, Robin. I have held on to some dislike regarding the events in Rinholm, and perhaps I have let them cloud my judgement of you.” He fixed his bright eyes on me, locking me in place. “I apologise.”

“Again, I accept your apology,” I replied. “Perhaps we don’t make a habit of having to continue offering sentiments. And for that, offer the same. For any wrongdoings you hold me accountable for, I am sorry.” I didn’t need to say what those were, but we both knew that my involvement in destroying Altar’s keys went against the very purpose for which the Nephilim were even alive.

I flexed my hands, calling off the seeping frozen magic I’d not noticed had loosed itself.

“Then it is settled,” Zarrel added, sparing us both a final glance. “Please, let us move forwards.”

Figuratively, and literally I thought.

I nodded, falling into step. “I’ve built up an appetite after all that excitement.”

“Excellent. The food we have prepared for this morning is truly outstanding. Lots of dishes and recipes inspired by our home of Irobel. Tastes you would not even begin to imagine.” Zarrel nodded, agreeing to the silent end to the confrontation.

I did as he asked, only noticing the lack of presence at my back when I reached the end of the corridor. Erix was stood stock still, breathing laboured and eyes wide with fury. The last time I’d seen him like that, he’d proceeded to smash his fists into his half-brother – Tarron Oakstorm’s – skull until it was a concave mess.

“Erix,” I called back, snapping him out of his trance. “Let’s not keep our hosts waiting any more than we already have.”

Every step Erix took toward me was careful and calculated. It took him effort to calm himself, but he tried. When he reached my side, his gaze still fixed in Zarrel’s direction, I laid a hand on his arm.

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