Page 16 of Winds of Darkness
“As I said, I do not think there is much you can do to assist me.”
Sorin sat back in his chair, his golden stare intense as he tried to peer beneath the hood. “What will it take to convince you to aid me in this matter?”
“Respectfully, I decline any and all offers.”
The female huffed a snort of amusement, and Sorin sent her a look that said he was not impressed. He sat in silence for a few moments, appearing to be debating something internally, before he said, “Whenever you complete your tasks, find me. I trust you will be able to track me down. And if you find you could use my assistance after all with those tasks … Well, again, you know how to find me.” Sorin stood, tossing a purse of coin onto the table. “Consider it an advance if you decide to take me up on my offer, and if not …” He shrugged. “Consider it compensation for your time today.”
“I don’t need it,” Rayner said, trying to shove the coin purse back at him, but Sorin was already stepping away from the table, the female moving with him.
Sorin shrugged again, looking back over his shoulder. “Then give it to someone who does, Ash Rider.”
“Rayner,” he called after him when he’d taken a few more steps, unsure why he was suddenly offering up his name. “My name is Rayner.”
Sorin looked back again and nodded, the arrogant smirk ghosting over his lips once more. He turned back to the female, and Rayner heard him say, “I will get you a portal back to the palace. I have to meet with Eliné.”
The Fae Queen.
How had Rayner forgotten that the Fire Prince was also the Fae Queen’s Second?
The Fae Queen was powerful, and rumor had it, she had access to some ancient magic. Power that had long ago disappeared from this world.
Rayner lurched to his feet as he called, “Fire Prince.”
Sorin turned once more, a brow raised in question.
“Perhaps there is something you can assist me with after all.”
Chapter 5
“Sorin!”
A youngling’s voice pierced the silence as Sorin escorted Rayner through the Black Halls. His hood was down. The guards of the Halls had refused him entry unless he revealed his face, and Rayner needed the help of the Fae Queen more than he needed to remain unseen, so he’d complied.
He paused when Sorin stopped outside of what appeared to be a sitting room, and a child of no more than three was making her way as fast as she could on little legs to the prince. Tangled mahogany hair surrounded her small face, and her jade green eyes were full of delight and fixed entirely on Sorin.
The Fire Prince crouched down, catching her gently. “Talwyn, what are you doing awake?” He glanced up at the harried nursemaid, who was making her way over. “Should she not be napping?”
“Tell her that,” the nursemaid replied, blowing stray hair from her face.
The child just giggled.
Talwyn Semiria. Orphaned daughter of the late Queen Henna, Queen Eliné’s sister. The child would be the Fae Queen of the Eastern Courts when she was of age. Until then, it appeared her aunt was raising her.
“I will watch her for a bit, Rosemary. Take a break,” Sorin said, still crouched before the Fae Princess who was peering upat Rayner. She watched him, eyes narrowed in suspicion as she pressed into Sorin.
The nursemaid wrung her fingers together. “Are you sure, your Highness? I do not wish to impose.”
“It is fine, Rosemary,” Sorin answered, a warm smile filling his face. “Do whatever you need to do.”
The nursemaid bowed, excusing herself, and Rayner’s attention was drawn back to the prince when Talwyn said, “Fire, Sorin!”
The prince chuckled, flames springing up and moving around the room while the princess chased them about. Sorin pushed back to his feet, lifting a hand, and a fire message disappeared among some flames. “I will have Eliné meet us here.”
Rayner merely nodded, unable to tear his eyes away from the little girl. Memories of another child with bright red hair giggling while his ashes had drifted around her and she tried to catch them in her small hands.
“Rayner?”
He blinked, finding the Fire Prince studying him. Rayner cleared his throat, forcing himself to look away from Talwyn. “Yes?”
