Page 52 of Crowns of Ice

“Blessed Mother. The castle still isn’t repaired?” I asked in a hushed tone.

Norivun shook his head. “This will likely take weeks to fully fix. The castle has never sustained damage like this before, and we only have so many constructo fae on staff.”

“Serves the bastard king right.” Nish sneered.

The other guards chuckled, then muttered the same sentiment.

We strode toward Michas’s door. All of us hadagreed that it was best to go to Michas first and request that he retrieve his father. It was too dangerous to be lurking around the castle openly looking for Lord Crimsonale. Even if Norivun’s illusion Shielded us, masking our sight and sound, it wouldn’t stop anyone’s awareness if they bumped into us.

We stopped at the young lord’s door, and after two knocks, the young Crimsonale opened it wide. Michas’s brow furrowed in confusion, but when Norivun pushed past him, the young lord shrieked.

It was only when we were safely inside, with the door locked behind us, that Norivun dispelled his illusion Shield.

When we appeared before him as though from thin air, Michas immediately glowered. “I wondered when I’d see you next.”

The prince smirked. “Miss me?”

The young lord seethed, then hissed under his breath, “Are you crazy? The king is looking for you.Allof you.”

“Tell us something we don’t know,” Nish replied in a bored tone.

“What are you doing back here?” Michas glared at the prince as Norivun pulled the looking glass from its concealment.

“Bringing proof as promised. The proofyoudemanded,” Norivun replied. “Where’s your father?”

Michas shrugged. “My guess would be in his chambers.”

Norivun nodded toward the looking glass. “We nowhave solid evidence that implicates the king. It’s important that Lord Crimsonale see this. Fetch him. Now.”

When Michas’s eyes narrowed, and he opened his mouth to argue, I laid a hand on his arm. My mate growled the second I made contact with the male, but I didn’t let his possessiveness deter me.

“Please, Michas.” I gazed up at him imploringly. “We wouldn’t be here risking our lives if we didn’t have enough information to firmly sway the entire council to our side, but we still need your help.”

Michas’s expression softened for the merest moment before he gave Norivun an irritated side-eye. He finally nodded. “Stay here. Don’t leave, and don’t make a sound. The king has ordered every single castle guard to arrest you the second any of you are spotted.”

Ryder’s jaw clenched, making his angular features look even sharper than usual. “They could certainly try.”

“Just...stay here.” Michas raked a hand through his silvery-white hair, then grabbed his dinner jacket. He was still dressed, but it was obvious he’d been in for the night. His undershirt was unbuttoned at the throat, and only socks covered his feet. A flickering fire filled the hearth. Close to the fireplace, an open book and a half-drunk glass of wine waited on a table. Beside it was a chair with a thick blanket draped over it.

We’d obviously interrupted a quiet evening for him.

“Sorry to, uh, intrude on your solitude,” I said awkwardly.

Some of the tension radiating from Michaslessened. “It’s fine. You just caught me unaware.” He stuffed his feet into loafers, then flung his jacket on, the slits fluttering around his wings. After buttoning it, he smoothed his hair and stepped to the door. “I’ll be back soon.”

Michas made a move to leave, but Norivun grabbed his arm. “Don’t betray us. If you return with the castle guard, I’ll end you.”

Michas ripped his arm free. “Save the threats for your father. I’m part of the reason we’re all in this mess. Once that comes to light, I’ll end up in the dungeons just like the rest of you if this ends badly.”

“Or the executioner’s block.” Nish snickered.

“Nish,” Haxil growled. “Don’t.”

“Be quick,” Norivun added.

Michas bowed mockingly. “As you wish, my prince.”

He slipped out the door and closed it quietly behind him.

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