Page 15 of Winds of Darkness
Sorin looked at her with amusement as she continued to cough around the ale she’d undoubtedly swallowed wrong. “No. She is not my consort. She is a sentry in my armies with a foul temper who gets into all sorts of trouble if she is not watched over.”
Red splotches appeared on the female’s cheeks. Not embarrassment, but fury. Rayner would recognize that type of rage on anyone. Honestly, he had to commend her for holding her tongue. He had a feeling it was only because she didn’t wish to disrespect the prince in a public setting. She didn’t strike him as someone who would care about offending him otherwise. But he’d watched enough people from the ashes over the decades to recognize that something was fractured in the female. That she may be harsh and ill-tempered, but she was also barely hanging on. Somehow the prince was helping her keep it all together, not as a consort as he stated, but as … something.
Something he’d never had before. What would it be like to simply have people in your life who didn’t want something from you?
Didn’t matter. He didn’t need others. They got in the way of what he needed to do.
“I have a problem,” Sorin said.
There it was. Back to being sought out because someone wanted something from him. The prince probably desired help in this war that had been playing out for centuries. Rayner knew the prince’s parents had been killed by Queen Esmeray a few years ago, but Rayner had been unconcerned with the war. He had his own war to wage. The people of this continent could fight and kill each other all they wanted. He had other things to hunt down and kill.
“You are the Fire Prince with multiple resources at your disposal,” Rayner answered.
“Yes, but they are all proving to be ineffective.”
“I do not care about this war.”
Sorin waved a dismissive hand. “We are all breathing easier since Queen Eliné and Queen Henna put up the wards to keepout those who wish our people harm. Plus, I have other people at my disposal for that, as you said. They are quite effective at their jobs. My people wish to return to their normal lives after decades of war.”
Rayner still didn’t care, but he was rather intrigued at this point. When he didn’t respond, Sorin took it as a sign to continue with his request.
“There is a thief in my Court. One that has proven even harder to track down than you. I have been receiving complaints of large amounts of coin and other valuables mysteriously going missing.”
Rayner scoffed. “I am sure the wealthy will survive the loss of a little coin.”
“Yes, but while the thief does seem to target the elite, they do not appear to discriminate either. Only the poorest of my Court seem to be left alone from what we can tell over the decades.”
“Decades?” Rayner repeated.
Sorin nodded, face going serious. Gone was the slight smirk and arrogance. In its place was what one would expect the Fire Prince to look like. Embers flickered in his golden irises at the fury he felt on behalf of his people. This was a prince who did whatever was required of him to fight for those in his charge.
“Yes,” Sorin answered. “As I said, our efforts have proven fruitless. The thief does not seem to have any pattern. One report comes in from Threlarion, the next from a village nestled in the Fiera Mountains. Then one comes in from Solembra, with the next near the mortal border.”
“The port city as well, I am assuming?” Rayner asked.
“Oddly, no. Aelyndee is the one place no one has reported any theft. There is theft there, of course, but from what we can tell, it is not this particular thief.”
That was odd. One would think the docks full of goods would be a prime location for such thieving.
“I would pay you for your time and expertise, of course,” Sorin continued. “Whatever resources I have would be at your disposal.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I have my own matters to tend to,” Rayner said, reaching for his mug.
“Anything I can offer assistance with?”
Rayner blinked at the prince, not that he could see him with his hood still in place. “What?”
“These tasks you have. Can I be of assistance in any way?”
“I do not exchange favors or work.”
“Understood. I am not offering under such assumptions. I would offer my assistance even if I was not seeking your help,” Sorin answered, sipping at his liquor.
That … didn’t seem right. No one simply offered services without expecting something in return. Not that the prince could help anyway. No one could help him with this task. You had to carry the brand to find the entrance to the cliffs, and then there was navigating the various levels.
“Again, I appreciate the offer, but I do not think there is much you can do to assist me.”
The prince’s brows rose. “You understand I am the sitting Royal? I have numerous resources at my disposal. Relations with other Courts. Relations with other territories, including the Shifters.”
