Page 85 of Between Wrath and Mercy

“Did you say west?” Lavenia’s face snapped to the man. “How did they get past the bridge?”

“Evidently, Nythyr has opened their pass.” Rainier’s tone was dark. The Aesiron Bridge was a divider spanning between Nythyr and Vesta. It was impassable by sea except for certain tunnels which could be opened, allowing ships through. Skos, located far east of Vesta, rarely traded farther west than Olistos, on Vesta’s eastern shore. Other than sailing northwest around Nythyr and back south between the landmasses, the only other route for traders from Skos to move west of the Aesiron involved one of the tunnels, of which there were only two. I wasn’t sure who the “friends” from Skos were, but since it was clear the term was used sarcastically, I gathered the Vestian pass remained closed. I’d heard of no issues with Skos from my corner of society, but that didn’t mean there weren’t any.

“No sightings of the girl. Declan claims the younger prince is taking care of a ‘most precious gift.’” His voice didn’t hold back his disgust, and I felt my lip curl.

“Yes, Cyran appeared to Emmeline in an illusion.” Rainier nodded toward me and, as if he suddenly realized I hadn’t met his shifter, introduced me. “Aedwyn, this is Lady Emmeline. Em, Aedwyn is one of my most trusted spies.” The naked man in front of me bowed, and I nearly laughed. To be so formal yet so nude. There was a sharp screech from above, and I saw the hawk ruffle its feathers, almost angrily, from its perch on the tree. Rainier gave me a wry smile. “Other than his sister, Aerfen, of course. She’s up there.” As if on cue, the hawk fluttered down, landing gently on the man—her brother’s—shoulder. My stomach clenched a bit, worried the talons would break his skin, but Aerfen was careful. I smiled, feeling exceptionally uncomfortable smiling at this predator.

“My sister does not like to shift right after a flight. She prefers to rest in her hawk form, less soreness that way.” The hawk shrieked quietly and lightly ruffled its wings. “But be assured, she is happy to meet you as well.” I gave a more confident smile to the two of them. Something about the pair was deeply unsettling but also deeply familiar. The language of twins. It made me glad Aerfen stayed in her shifter form.

“Cyran holds the Beloved in wait for Declan. We are not sure exactly where they are. Hopefully, Emmeline can extract the information during the next illusion. Perhaps Glenharbor? I know there is a royal estate there. We have reason to believe Cyran wants to plan a coup over his brother.” Rainier explained the rest of the illusion to Aedwyn. And Aerfen, I realized. It was strange to think of a hawk understanding him. If either shifter was surprised by the information they’d just received, they didn’t show it.

“When do you want us to leave, Your Highness?” Aedwyn still stood naked in front of us, seemingly comfortable in the cold. Rainier gave them their instructions, asking for an update four mornings from now after I’d met with Prince Cyran. My heart gave a small leap; I’d be seeing Elora in three nights’ time. I tried to temper my hope in case Prince Cyran decided Elora hadn’t behaved, but it was a struggle. The thought of seeing her for even a moment made me lighter.

“Aedwyn, send me Thyra,” Rainier called after the shifter, who walked toward the camp, completely naked and unashamed with his sister perched on his shoulder. I watched his retreat in silent consideration of the fact I’d just met two of the rarest conduits in the world. Rainier cleared his throat, and I turned to my small group of friends sitting around me. He studied me for a moment as if considering saying something. I noticed his temple throb before he turned to Dewalt. “So, Declan is making moves to ally with Olag.”

“It would seem.” Dewalt’s face was dark and tight, deep anger thrumming through him.

“Who is Olag?” I assumed it was the ‘friend’ from Skos, but I didn’t know what any of that meant.

“A monster.” My head whipped toward Mairin, surprised my friend knew of him. This also surprised Lavenia, who raised her brows as she studied the fiery redhead. “Not me, but I’ve heard stories.” Lavenia nodded at Mairin’s explanation, but Rainier noted the confusion that remained on my face.

“He’s a slave trader from Skos. The fact Nythyr opened their pass, I—” Rainier rubbed his hand over his face. “He must have an extreme amount of coin or Queen Nereza an extreme amount of gall. Likely both.”

“How? Where are slaves even still traded?” It had been outlawed centuries ago in Vesta, early in Soren’s reign, one of the few good things he’d done. And more recently, in Nythyr and Folterra, but nearly 100 years separated the Three Kingdoms from the last slaves. Cyran had mentioned Declan’s desire to bring the trade back, but how could a slave trader exist in the Three Kingdoms when it had been outlawed for so long?

“To the east. Olag specializes in warriors and women,” Dewalt spat out.

“Sometimes both.” Thyra came walking from the path to camp and sat, no,threwherself down next to Rainier as she reached into Dewalt’s bag for an apple. I looked at her, surprised, and realized what she meant.

“Oh,” I said, dumbly. “You?”

“Yes, little viper.” She took a bite from her apple, her eyes on Rainier. “Do I finally get to kill the man who sired me?”

Fromwhatsheexplained,Thyra was raised as a warrior. The daughter of Olag and one of his victims, he’d taken her shortly after she was weaned and raised her to fight. And when she came of age, he sold her to the highest bidder.

“I am not so unlike you, little viper.” She didn’t elaborate, but her statement gave me pause. Though my father hadn’t taught me to fight, hehadsold me. Both men had sold something they didn’t have any right to own. She continued her story, and my frustration only grew. Her training as a warrior was supposed to provide her protection from whoever purchased her; Olag led her to believe the man who bought her would only utilize her for her abilities with her ax.

Olag lied.

Thyra had paid for those lies in blood and fear. She didn’t go into detail, but the shuttered look on her face told me there was deep trauma behind it. My heart ached for her. For someone with such a disastrous childhood and upbringing, how she managed to smile every day and befriend people as easily as she did drew deep respect from me.

“Then these two saved me.” She put an arm around Rainier and nodded toward Dewalt. I liked her and trusted her, but I had to fight against my instincts to slap her arm off the man. “And I’ve been saving their asses ever since.” They both glared at her, Dewalt giving her a middle finger as Rainier pushed her away, though both men smiled. It reminded me of the two young boys from so long ago, both impossibly handsome and devilish.

“It was shortly after—” Dewalt took a breath. “Lucia died, and we ran around doing King Soren’s bidding for a while. We’d heard news of a slave ship trying to make port for supplies in Olistos, blown off course from a storm.”

“It was good practice for me, with the water. I did my best to destroy the ship—”

“And nearly drowned half of us,” Thyra added, and Dewalt snickered.

“And nearly drowned half of them in the meantime,” Rainier grinned. “But we were ultimately successful. The only ones who drowned that day deserved it.” Thyra gave a quiet nod, and I stayed silent for a few moments.

“I’m so sorry all of that happened to you.”

“I have made peace with it, and my destiny is here. Swearing my life and sword to Prince Rainier has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” The man in question hung his head, peeking up at her out of the corner of his eye, and I tried hard not to overanalyze the fondness I saw there. “I will continue to serve him as king and swear fealty to his queen—as long as he lets me kill my wretched sire.” She turned to him with a questioning look, and he gave a grim nod.

“If it comes to it, you will be the one to kill him.” She grunted an assent before she stood, turning toward camp, and Lavenia was quick to join her, a silent signal that it was time for all of us to retire for the night.

“Em, hang back a moment.” Rainier was behind me, not having followed the rest of us, merely pulling himself to his feet. I felt my stomach twist as I took him in. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to talk about, but his somber expression made me feel like whatever it was wasn’t good. Rainier watched me, studying the embroidery on the cloak he’d given me as I pulled it tighter around me.

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