Prince of Blood and Shadow
I. Chapter 25

“Fawning over your hair, boy?” Ivaran asked as his nephew entered the throne room, bowing beside Sylvis. Bowing his head before the king, Styx received a smile in return. Aubron hurriedly moved past them and positioned himself beside the king. “They’ve had a long trip,” he reminded the king, who nodded and motioned for the three to rise. Sylvis stood with his hands behind his back as Inias looked at him. In the sunlight, his green eyes appeared to glisten. “Thank you,” Inias told him as they approached the dais. “If you hadn’t turned on Caelan, we’d all be dead.”

Sylvis nodded and bumped Inias’ shoulder with his before turning his attention to the king. Upon the king’s gesture, the two knelt with bowed heads. “You both appear rested and in good health,” the king began. Although his words were kind, they still had a cold undertone. “I’m happy to see it. Rise and hear the words of your king.” The boys rose to their feet with their eyes pinned on the king’s elegant black leather boots.

Ivaran looked between the two, lowering his hand into their view, instructing them to raise their eyes to him. His icy gaze bore into them both. Even Sylvis seemed to shrink from it, taking a step back. The king turned his gaze from Sylvis to Inias, then to Styx, who whimpered and looked away. “The high council has agreed that you are not to be held responsible for your father’s death,” Ivaran stood and walked over to them with his cane to keep him steady. “What remains of the Rouan and Thorne clans will be hunted down and questioned. We have much to learn about these Crescents.”

Inias felt the urge to shiver as his uncle approached him, resting a hand on his shoulder. It was chilling and unsettling, causing his body hair to stand on end. “You’ve avenged your father, rescued our people, and exposed an enemy hiding in the shadows. Well done, my nephew.” The hand squeezed him before the king turned back towards his throne.

“Styx slew Caelan,” Inias gestured to the fox who barked beside him, “Sylvis, Keira, and Naesala-wait…what happened to them?”

“Lord Varen has taken them to the estate,” Aubron explained as Ivaran rested against the throne. “He was eager to return home. Lady Redwood is still resting.” Inias wanted to say goodbye to them but given the king’s orders to have them killed, he knew why they couldn’t stay. The thought of sharing a roof with the man who had recently tried to have him killed was unsettling to him. There was no lavish manor for him to escape to.

“I wanted to see Keira one last time,” Inias pleaded to his uncle. “You may call on her if you like,” His uncle nodded, “I won’t force you two apart, but there is no friendship between Varen and I.” No friendship, but did that make them enemies? He wouldn’t let that come between them and make Keira his enemy. Apart from Styx, she was his most cherished friend. The sole person who supported him throughout all his antics.

To bring Inias back from his thoughts, the king cleared his throat. “Despite your actions, your title as heir is still in question,” Inias was ready to protest, but Ivaran’s bony hand stopped him. “This experience may have changed you, but I cannot trust my kingdom in your hands, hellion. Perhaps there is a place for your breed among our people, but that remains to be seen.” He turned to Sylvis, who raised his eyes to meet the king with a triumphant smile on his face. “You displayed loyalty, strength, but you lack foresight. Your plan led my nephew right into Caelan’s trap!” Ivaran’s voice rose, and Inias couldn’t help but smile as Sylvis shrunk back again and lowered his head.

“Forgive me…” Sylvis begged, as if reduced to a groveling prisoner. Ivaran observed Sylvis’s groveling with disappointment, as the boy slowly backed away with trembling limbs. “However, you’re both still young. Mistakes are inevitable and you’ve learned from yours,” he said in a gentler voice, allowing Sylvis to meet his eyes again. “I have,” the two answered more quickly than they intended, looking at each other.

Styx yipped, assuming it was his turn to speak. The king’s attention shifted towards the fox. “And you, your courage surpasses even the bravest of my knights,” he said, a gentle smile on his face. “I thank you for avenging my brother.” Styx rushed towards the dais, but Inias caught him before he tried jumping into Ivaran’s lap. “Cuddling isn’t his thing, buddy.”

“As for your title,” Ivaran continued, raising his voice to draw their attention. “Sylvis has been recommended by the court and I will provide him with the chance.” Ivaran nodded towards the boy whose fear-stricken face twisted into a beaming smile. He threw Inias a smug grin before Ivaran’s hand came to his chin, forcing those emerald eyes to look at him. “To prove yourself, both of you.” Ivaran snarled, looking between the two of them with those icy silver eyes. The two shivered and stepped away as the king returned to the throne.

Inias turned his head towards Sylvis, who kept his eyes on the king. They could never mend their bridges. If both desired the throne, they could only be enemies. The king had created a division between them, pitting them against one another. The court widely supported Sylvis. Lord Aubron, the king’s most trusted advisor, was among Inias’ allies. Lord Varen might also be supportive if Inias could convince him.

“What are we doing about the Crescents?” Inias approached the dais and stood beside his uncle. While stroking his beard, the king gazed at him. “What would you like to do with them?” Shifting his body, he directed the question towards his nephew. “We…” Inias nervously fidgeted with his hair, thinking about that forest and the portal beyond. “What they need to rebuild can be found beyond that portal. Let’s build a stronghold in Willowberry Forest and disrupt their supply route.”

Ivaran’s lips curled into a smile with a light hum from his throat. “I can lead an army against the redcaps, raze the borderlands,” Sylvis suggested, running towards the dais himself, nearly shoving Inias out of the way.

Aubron laughed next to the king, who responded with an eye roll and a forehead rub. “Neither of you will lead anything,” Ivaran said, shoving them away from his throne with a growl. “I will offer both ideas to the high court.” The king waved a hand before either of them could speak again and rose to his feet. “You’re dismissed!” He told them as he stepped behind the throne towards the door.

“Uncle!” Inias called out, bowing low as Ivaran turned to him. “What is it?” Ivaran snapped as Inias rose to meet his eyes. “Would you allow me to spend Spring in Dusk Haven?” He asked.

“Why?” Ivaran rested against his cane, narrowing his eyes at the hellion boy before him. Inias wanted to get away. That was the truth. The thought of living in this castle with an uncle who had both wished for and ordered his death left him uneasy. Now he would have to look over his shoulder at Sylvis. The court was itching to see Inias removed and replaced with their green-eyed, golden boy. “I want to know what the Ravenmoons are planning,” Inias answered slowly, thinking through his words. “Like you said, we’re no longer friends, but Keira is still mine, so is Vestin.”

Ivaran didn’t look convinced at all, eyeing Inias as if he’d already poked through every hole. “Your majesty, if the Ravenmoons rebel, they will take Dusk Haven first,” Aubron offered, standing beside Inias, a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Inias is a friend to the Ravenmoons. He is the only one who can mediate a solution between your clans. With a friend in Dusk Haven, they will hesitate to attack it.” Ivaran looked between Aubron and Inias, then to Sylvis who remained quiet looking at Inias’ skeptically. “You want to ally with them against us, hellion!” Sylvis accused him, moving to stand beside the king.

“I want to avoid a civil war!” Inias answered, shrugging off Aubron’s grip as he approached Sylvis. “I’m a hellion, same as them. They don’t trust you, or you uncle.” Ivaran gave him a warning snarl, “Watch your tone, boy.”

“What he means is, if there’s a chance, we can avoid a conflict we should take it. This will give Inias the opportunity to change your mind.” Aubron bowed and stepped away from the three of them, hoping the boys wouldn’t start fighting on the throne room floor. Ivaran grumbled, but finally nodded with a sigh. “I want you prepared to leave by winter’s end, and I expect to be informed about their position.” He ordered Inias, “Now all of you leave! You’re not the only ones in need of rest.”

“Yes, uncle, thank you!” Inias bowed low beside Sylvis, who merely nodded and turned in a huff to march across the throne room floor. “Good plan?” Inias asked Aubron once both doors were closed tight. Aubron nodded his head, stroking his long brown beard. “In Dusk Haven you can build a new base of support, convince Lord Varen to stand behind you.” He pressed a hand to Inias’s shoulder again, causing the boy to cringe slightly and yank himself back. “I don’t appreciate all the touching.”

“Forgive me, my prince,” Aubron bowed and stepped away from the boy, hands behind his back. “I must support his majesty here, but if you’re willing, there lives a mage in the forests south of the city. Thaddeus is his name. He’s instructed many Faerie lords, even your father, during the goblin invasions two centuries ago. If you can convince him, he’ll make a valuable ally.”

“Thaddeus…never heard of him.” His father had never mentioned an instructor during the goblin wars. “He likes his privacy.” Aubron explained, bowing towards the young prince once again. “The rest is up to you, my prince.”