Page 11 of Sharpen Your Claws

“Stay behind me.” Laurent went for the door at the call of the king’s names.

Evera shoved him forward to join them, with Solomon and Percival at their backs. He heard little of what was said. His eyes strayed, searching, wanting, needing Williams’ attention. Evera kept him from lingering on the balcony too long or rushing down the stairs. She caught the back of his jacket or snatched his arm to guide him through the courtiers below.

“You may as well put him on a leash,” Solomon chuckled at their back.

“Go bother someone else this evening,” Evera chided and, with a rough tug, took herself and Nicholas to the far side of the ballroom. “Is there any Darkmoon alive who isn’t an utter annoyance?” she snarled once they were clear.

“Even if there were, you would argue otherwise. You are so easily annoyed by anyone,” he replied, earning a glare, then a grin.

“Well, you aren’t wrong.” Evera laughed and caught another drink from the servers.

He passed on refreshments. He didn’t care about the people either. They flowed around him, curious of his presence but too frightened to approach. That was a relief because it allowed him to search, peering over the crowd for the one person he did care about. Nicholas felt William’s presence, sensed him in the room, but if he attempted to search, Evera held tighter and yanked him back.

As much as he hated to be separated from William, Evera was right to keep him in place. Laurent would let William bleed out on the floor if Nicholas went against him. He had to be patient, wait for the kings, and take the opportunity to break their deal. Then he could see William as much as he desired.

The thought kept him still for the moments that felt so long before the kings made their approach with Laurent at their side.

“I hope you enjoy tonight’s festivities, Nicholas. They are for you, after all,” said King Shepherd with a clearing of his throat.

Nicholas tried to lessen his smile, if only to encourage them to stay. He couldn’t frighten them off until he received what he was owed.

“There is something that already caught my eye,” he replied. “And I am excited to receive my gift.”

“Gift?” Laurent repeated calmly, even if internally he must be angered.

“Of course, as the savior of our realm, our kingdoms owe their lives to Nicholas. He not only defeated Fearworn but also spent these last two years scouring the world for his dreaded shadowed disciples. He is owed.” Laughing heartily, King Ellis nodded at Nicholas. “Tell us what you want, boy.”

Evera held fiercely to his arm. On his other side, Laurent gave nothing away. Expression placid as ever, but he felt the slight bristle in the air. Laurent wished to strike, to snatch him by the neck and prevent him from speaking, but nothing could be done now. Faerie had the king’s letter and would ensure the deal was met.

“My father and I made a deal concerning a mortal medic, who sacrificed his life to save mine. Without him, we all would have fell to Fearworn,” he replied, heart racing so fervently the world became muted to his ringing ears. “I would like you to absolve me from it.”

The color drained from King Shepherd’s face. “You wish for us to break a deal for you? Are we capable of such a task?”

“Typically, no, but considering that you admitted my actions led to saving two realms, well, Faerie will ensure our deal is struck.”

“I would advise you against this,” said Laurent. He maintained a calm tone, uncaring if one didn’t know better. “Our deal is battling against Nicholas’ deterioration.”

“You think it is,” he corrected, then cast his attention to the kings. “I am owed, you said so yourselves, and I made my request. Now, you must honor it.”

Laurent caught his arm, forcing them closer. “This is not Faerie land. Do you truly believe they can absolve you from a deal with me?”

“Our deals have passed through worlds ever since the Collision. There is more than enough power here, even if it’s against you.” Nicholas snickered, then yanked his arm away and nodded at the kings. “Well?”

The mortal kings peered at one another. King Ellis whispered into King Shepherd’s ear. Shuffling his weight from one foot to the other, King Shepherd asked, “Are you certain this is what you truly want?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then how should we phrase our request?”

Nicholas could hardly breathe. “Order Laurent to absolve me from my deal concerning William Vandervult.”

King Ellis stood taller at the name. He wasn’t surprised the king of Heign knew of William, considering the position of the Vandervults. The kings did as he asked. Laurent didn’t reply. The windows rattled from a fierce wind and the lights of the castle flickered in warning. Faerie heard, and Laurent sighed.

When he spoke, there was venom in his words. “You are absolved from our deal concerning William Vandervult, Nicholas.”

The shade rushed through the crowd, frantic in his search for William. Many cursed at him as he passed. He spotted Charmaine attempting to hide away from the crowd by lingering against the wall. Her glass shook when she took a drink, yet to notice him. William wasn’t with her, but he felt William’s presence, following the feeling of him out of the ballroom and leading to a quiet sitting area used for light reading, considering it had little more than a couch, an end stand, and a wall of bookshelves.

There, leaning against the end stand, William stood, shoulders heaving.