Abisai
I meet Levin in the hallway.
"Send Stema with food and clothes for my guest. And she's not to leave her side for any reason."
He looks at me with that raised eyebrow I know all too well.
"How dare you bring a human and put her straight in your chambers?"
"Since when are my indulgences denied me?"
"Another concubine for your collection."
"She's my healer. I owe her my life."
"Of course," he says with sarcasm. "Your father sent word about her. He wants to meet the savior of his son and honor her before the court tomorrow."
I twist my mouth.
"By the way, the Mordur clan has just arrived. Among them, Miss Bamylan. Congratulations, Prince. You're about to become a man with responsibilities."
"Spare me the sarcasm, Levin. Send for Stema. I'm going to see my father."
"Take a bath first. You smell of blood and forest."
I click my tongue and keep walking.
"You'll scare your betrothed!" he shouts from behind.
I let out a laugh without turning. My betrothed is going to be the least of my problems tonight.
After the bath and dressing in strict black, I enter the throne room with my men behind me.
The casket with Agur's body is in the center. Black migil flowers are everywhere, their dense, sickly-sweet perfume lingering in the air like a reminder of death. His widow stands at the foot of the coffin, dressed in mourning, with an expression of grief that doesn't quite convince me.
When my name is announced, all eyes are on me. The clan leaders are rigid, watchful. Faguer of the Mordur clan occupies a prominent place. Beside him, his daughter Bamylan. Sharp, yellow eyes that assess me as if already measuring how much I might be worth as a husband.
I approach my father and give a brief bow.
"Let's begin," he announces.
The ceremony drags on longer than I can bear. I'm tired of standing here with a smile that belongs to no one. My mind keeps returning to Zabina, alone in my chambers.
"Tomorrow I want to present the healer before my guests," my father says suddenly, in a low voice.
I turn toward him.
"I want to secure her so she doesn't leave the kingdom. We always need that kind of magic."
"Yes, Father."
"By the way… I heard you're keeping her in your chambers."
"I am."
"Did you make her your lover?"
"Yes."
"Send her to the women's palace. Keeping her there could raise questions about your… preferences."
"Well, she's my preference. So she stays where she is."
We look at each other for a second. Neither of us yields.
Thymá approaches before the conversation escalates. His new wife walks beside him, young, with a blank face and eyes that have already learned not to ask.
"I heard your men died, nephew," he says in that calm voice. "A tragedy."
"A hunter ambush."
"What a relief that you returned safely. It would be a tragedy to lose both of the king's sons in such a short time."
I smile, slow and sharp.
"A total tragedy."
He notes the tone. I see it in the way his eyes linger a second too long on mine before moving on. His wife looks at me more than she should, but I don't return the glance.
"I take my leave, Father."
"Abisai, the ceremony isn't over," he mutters.
"It is for me."
I leave without waiting for a response. He never resists when I use that tone. It's one of the few privileges left to me from being the son who never mattered.
At the end of the hall, a figure plants herself in front of me.
Bamylan. Up close, those yellow eyes are even harder to ignore.
"Are you in a hurry, Prince?"
"I have matters that require my attention."
"I wanted to speak with you."
"Another time."
"What do you think of our union?"
I look her up and down.
"Very strategic."
"Only that?"
"Only that."
She sighs, resigned but dignified.
"I thought we could at least try to get along."
"We'll get along as long as you know your limits as a wife and don't meddle in my private affairs."
She doesn't respond. She nods slightly, with more elegance than I would have given her in her place.
"With your permission."
I leave the hall.
The weight of everything that has begun tonight settles on my shoulders: the throne, Mordur, the conspiracy, Corin… and Zabina in my chambers.
My men take their posts on either side of the door. I enter.
I hear her laughter before I see her.
I walk to the balcony and find them both by the balustrade.
Zabina wears a white lace dress that clings to her body as if made to torture me. The thin fabric outlines every curve, every line of her waist, and the moonlight makes her look almost ethereal.
I undo the first button of my suit to let in some air.
I clear my throat.
They look at me.
"You may retire, Stema."
Stema squeezes Zabina's hand with a warm smile.
"A pleasure to have met you, miss. See you in the morning."
"The pleasure was mine," Zabina replies, and she means it. I see it on her face.
When we're alone, I advance toward her with a slow, deliberate step. I place my hands on the balustrade on either side of her body, trapping her between my arms and the open air of the balcony.
The white dress contrasts with my black. Perfect.
"I'm glad Stema pleased you," I murmur near her ear.
"When am I leaving?" she asks bluntly, though her voice trembles slightly.
"Do you want to leave already?"
She turns her gaze toward the kingdom stretching below.
"I came for a reason. Since that didn't work out, the logical thing is for me to go."
"I don't want you to go."
Her eyes return to mine, large and bright.
"You know I can't stay."
"You have no home, Zabina. I'm offering you one."
"You have no idea why I can't…"
I bring my thumb to her lips gently, and she falls silent instantly. Her breath quickens against my finger.
"I know more than you think," I say softly.
She questions me with those gray eyes that are making me addicted.
"My father wants to publicly thank you for saving my life. Tomorrow I'll present you to the court as my healer."
"No," the color drains from her face. "I can't."
"The emperor's gratitude before his subjects is irreversible, Zabina. No one in this kingdom will dare touch someone who bears his seal of protection," I pause and lower my voice. "I'll be at your side."
I slide my hand to the nape of her neck, tangle my fingers in her hair, and pull gently backward, forcing her to lift her face.
"Another thing… I told them you're my lover. That way, I avoid anyone else trying to claim you."
The silence that follows is dense, charged.
"Say something," I whisper against her mouth.
"I don't know what to say," her voice comes out trembling. "I'll accept the emperor's gratitude… but you promised to take me back."
"I'm afraid I'll have to break that promise."
A tear slides down the corner of her eye. I follow it with my gaze without letting her go.
"You promised…"
"I didn't count on you enchanting me like this."
"I'm just a woman. You must have more beautiful lovers."
"Maybe," my thumb brushes her cheek, slowly descending to her lower lip. "But you're different."
"It's just curiosity. The desire for the forbidden."
"I have human concubines. They're not forbidden to me," I look her straight in the eyes, mercilessly. "So it's not that."
She presses her lips together. She pushes my chest and turns toward the open air of the balcony.
Neither of us speaks for a long moment.
"Sleep in the bed," I say at last, my voice comes out rougher than I intended. "I'll sleep on the couch."
She looks at me sideways.
"A prince on a couch?"
"For now."
She looks back at the kingdom. She tucks her hair behind her ear with that nervous gesture I already recognize as hers.
"I'm going to bed."
She passes by me without looking at me.
I let her go… for now.
I know keeping her here isn't fair. I know this place is the most dangerous in the world for what she is. But I also know that out there, alone, without a home and with hunters roaming the forest, the danger is worse.
I tell myself that's why I'm keeping her here. But I know it's more than that.