Page 53 of A Crown of Madness
He holds his cup up as if that is goodbye enough. I take that as my cue to leave, walking back to the hall I’d come from. Before I reach it though, his voice stops me.
“I take it you’ll need our armies as well?” His back is to me and mine to him.
“I would hope not, but depending on the circumstances, I would hope you might come to our aid if it was necessary.”
“With the Court of Light already cutting through your lands, I’ll have them ready.”
I can’t help but glance over my shoulder. “How did yo—”
“I may not have a lot of friends, but I pay my spies well. Have a good evening, Prince Merrick.”
With terrible stirring in my gut, I leave the prince of the Court of Wind to his liquor and hurry to find Casimir to put together a plan. The token taken from my assassin burns a hole right in my pockets. I wonder what Casimir’s spies would have to say about it? Maybe one day I’ll ask.
* * *
I knock twice. Then three times.
There are no footfalls on the other side of the door before the knob turns, and it swings slowly open. No one waits on the other side either. Instead, what I find is Cameron upside down on the couch, red hair wet and hanging to the floor with an arm stretched my direction.
“That’s a neat trick, thief.”
“Oh, come on,” she groans. “I only stole from the king because he stole from me first.”
Casimir looks up from a book that is nestled in his lap. I tilt my head and say, “What is this, story time with tots? Are you taking your babysitting job so seriously that you’re reading to the child?”
“Oh, yes,” Casimir smirks. “I figured reading was beyond her capabilities, so I thought I might indulge her.”
“I know how to read.” One swish of her hand, and the door closes.
“Isn’t she supposed to be in handcuffs?” I frown and Cameron smiles.
“Don’t worry, Prince, I’m not going anywhere. Not with my soul tied to Violence.”
Casimir shuts the book. “How is our sister?”
“Confused. Angry. Quite possibly depressed.” I shrug, even though all of it weighs so heavily on me, I wonder how I’m even standing sometimes.
“So about the same as usual?” He grimaces. “Well, at least we can be grateful that her powers are diluted for the time being, because otherwise we might be sitting in rubble instead of this lovely palace.”
“I had that thought too.” Stepping around the Witch, I lower next to her on the couch, instantly sinking into the soft cushions. “We fought. I feel so terrible about it.”
“One day this will all be something we laugh about over dinner. ‘Hey, remember that time I forced you to marry Prince Dalziel?’ It’ll be hilarious.” Casimir crosses one leg over his other knee, watching me with faint amusement.
“You’re such a dick sometimes.” I roll my eyes. My mind races, and I trace the floral design imprinted on the couch. Next to me, Cameron wiggles her feet. I wonder if some of her magic is keeping her face from turning beet red, too, because she looks just as pale as she does when standing correctly.
“Ah, the highest of compliments.” My brother mocks a bow. “And did you talk to Prince Dalziel?”
“He’s at the bottom of a bottle of red wine, but yes, we spoke.”
“And...”
“Don’t leave us in suspense,” Cameron grunts, dropping her legs and sitting upright.
“And he is officially agreeing to marry Violence. They will come for her in a month’s time, and all contracts will be signed. We now have an alliance with the Court of Winds.” It’s good news. Great, really. Still, I can’t seem to find another smile now that I don’t have to fake it.
Casimir claps. “Bravo! This is fantastic news. A reason to celebrate. Yet... you look like someone took a piss in your mead.”
“He knew about the attack from the Court of Light today.”
