Page 93 of The Shadow Prince's Ruin
Lepearl scowls, watching her crew set up the ship. They rush around, almost as if they were in competition with each other. “Break them? Such an ugly way to put it. They are amazingcreatures, the kelpies, extremely loyal once they bond. Like with many things, you’ll get more with sugar than with salt.”
His philosophy is definitelynotwhat I’ve been taught all my life, but I can see its merit. “Please, let me clarify, are we talking sugar cubes, or—”
Lepearl stares at me like I’m stupid and inhales some adora smoke. “Fucking, Your Highness, I meanfucking.”
My ears twitch, turning as hot as my cheeks. “Oh, and… um…bothof them?”
She smirks. “Yes, both. How is that so shocking? I’ve heard of royals at the Nocturne Court who have both a spouse and a Dark Companion.”
It’s not something I am interested in pursuing, but I have to admit she has a point. “I suppose I was taught I need to dominate others to command respect.”
Lepearl spares me a glance telling me all she thinks about an elf my size dominating anyone, but I’m not offended. Thanks to what I’ve been through with Hawk, I know my worth isn’t tied to the force I can exert.
“I used to be part of a big crew, worked my way up by proving I can be as ruthless as anyone else on board. But then I met my match, and it wasn’t even in a brawl. Instead, someone whose name doesn’t even deserve mentioning, rallied others against me with lies and shit talk. I got left in the middle of the ocean in a boat no bigger than a bathtub. When Bite and Kick appeared, I tried to fight them at first, but every time I hit them with a paddle, they’d come back, curious about me. Instead of dragging me to the bottom of the ocean, they brought me food, and hauled my boat to an island. When I stopped trying to exert dominance and befriended them instead, I realized that so far I’ve been going about my life wrong. So no, I didn’t need to ‘break’ them. If anything, it was them who showed me I don’t always need to be cruel to get what I want. Just like in the ocean, you haveto follow the waves. Sometimes, you have to surrender to reach your destination.”
I ponder her words as the kelpies drag a little boat to shore. If it were just me, they’d probably make me wade through water to get to the ship, but since they want to treat their captain, I’m lucky to also step aboard with dry shoes.
As much as I see Lepearl’s point, and I’m more open to making friends than I used to be, I can’t justify the risk of letting guards take me to Lord Kyran and throwing myself at his mercy.
Once I obtain the Umlaris Band and save Hawk, I’ll consider what to do next. Until then, my plans must remain carefully concealed.
I know an entrance into the palace, but I cannot just break into the vault. If I obscure myself with whatever shadowcraft I possess and reach Lord Kyran’s chambers, I might use the Cerulean Puffball spores I have collected before reaching the tavern to put him and his Dark Companion to sleep. With the human as my hostage, I should convince Kyran to hand over the Umlaris Band without much fuss.
Will I be making an enemy for good? Most likely, but that is a matter to worry about later.
With the salty wind on my face, I feel hope in my heart.
Chapter 37
Sylvan
Iassumed I’d need to risk leaving the boat and swimming into the labyrinth of caves below the Nocturne Court, but once the moon disappeared from the sky, darkness allowed Lepearl to let me out by the rocks at the shore. Kelpies are deep sea creatures, and their senses proved vital in navigating the jagged coastline without colliding with rocks hiding under the surface.
The imposing castle is like a giant black octopus, with many sprawling wings for tentacles and sharp, tall towers jutting into the sky like spikes. It sits atop a cliff, so it can overlook Grief Ocean, but that is its weakness. A vessel as tiny as ours could fall prey to the many predators in the sea, but thanks to the kelpies, we can avoid those as well and arrive at the shores right below the castle.
Guards patrol all around the Nocturne Court, but I could see the swamplight in their hands from very far away. If I were to light my own torch, I’d no doubt end up spotted by one of the watchmen stationed on the ramparts, but I have spent mychildhood at this castle, and while years have passed since I frolicked on this beach, I still know it like the back of my hand and carefully make my way into the caves, guided by touch.
The familiar song of the shark skins drying in the salty wind above is like a welcome home, but I still watch out for the bats that inhabit this cave. They usually avoid elves, but in the dark a swarm can get confident enough to attack. I only hear the occasional screech, so most must be sleeping, which is a welcome strike of luck. While I might be partial to crispy bat wings, I don’t want to hunt them myself.
My path through the caves takes me deep under the castle, and up stone stairs so winding I have to touch the damp walls now and then to stop my head from spinning.
The night is my ally, as by now, most inhabitants should be long asleep, yet I keep being distracted by thoughts about Hawk. I wonder if he’s keeping his body cool, if he’s in pain, and whether the water will be enough to preserve him the way he is. How long does his mind have? Hours? Days? Years? It’s the uncertainty that is the worst.
I open the door hidden behind a painting and step into the corridor, cloaking myself in shadow. It might not hide me from talented shadow-wielders like Lord Kyran or Prince Tristan, but if I stay focused, my disguise should fool the average elf. I’m glad a servant passing me in the Hall of Lords doesn’t as much as look my way, far too occupied with dusting one of the many portrait frames.
I pass the many depictions of Lords and Lordesses with their Dark Companions, and it strikes me that I don’t care about having a portrait with Hawk painted so it hangs in this castle, marking my contributions to the Court. I don’t need a crown, the power to pass judgment, or approval in the eyes of royals. I don’t care to show him off, even if I’m proud of the man he is. All that matters to me is that he is safe. If we end up hunted for stealingthe Umlaris Band, for him being the Sunwolf, or even for my illegal return from banishment, then so be it. We will deal with it, and we will deal with it together.
I sneak through endless corridors adorned with the finest artwork, expensive furniture from all over the realm, and precious textiles. Here at least, a rare lamp remains lit, creating deliciously dense shadow for me to sink into. I never learned how to enter the shadowild, but the presence of shade allows me to remain near invisible as I climb upstairs, to the Lord’s private chambers.
There are wards against shadowcraft in the entryway, past the backs of the two women standing guard tonight, but while my family was aware of an alternative route inside for over two hundred years now, it was considered too risky to utilize. After all, to effectively usurp the throne, one needed to appear powerful, not a petty royal who sneaks into his enemy’s bedchamber at night like a coward.
But I’m not here to murder the Lord of the Nocturne Court, or his Companion, and I no longer care that my actions might throw mud on what remains of my family’s good name. Only Hawk counts now, and I am ready to be bold in my actions, if this ensures I save him.
The way past the magical wards starts at a beautifully fashioned ventilation grate. The passage was created after one of the Dark Companions in the past wished for artificial fog in their bathroom. Their flight of fancy that is now my way in. I crawl down a shaft occupied by dust and pretty spiders. A whole family of them crawls over me as I twist my body in order to move past a bend, but I am in no mood to play with the babies. I fear getting stuck here and rotting within the walls of the castle while my beloved howls for me, but the desire to free him from the curse overcomes fear, and soon I open the other end of the narrow passage with utmost care.
Sweat beads above my lip as I reach out of the tunnel and grab the wall on either side, pulling myself out. One look around tells me I’m in Lord Kyran’s bathing salon. The tiles on the wall make up the Nightweed Family Crest above a tub big enough to contain the Sunwolf. Its size does not surprise me in the slightest, since I’ve heard long baths are Luke’s beloved’s pastime. Oh, how I wish I could also give my Dark Companion all he could ever wish for.
I hold up the small vial of Cerulean Puffball spores, ready to open it and put my victims to sleep. No one is speaking on the other side of the bathroom door, and no moans of pleasure reach my ears either, so with my heart in my throat, I push the door open, hoping it doesn’t creak.
