Reign of the Fallen (Reign of the Fallen #1)(64)
“I spoke too rashly before. Forgive me. I’ll leave it to you to decide,” he adds softly, as though reading my thoughts. “I trust Jax and Simeon will do a fine job leading the search for the king, but if you really think you should stay, I’ll respect your choice.”
“I’m glad to hear you aren’t letting all that power go to your head, big brother.” Valoria chews on her lower lip as she studies the prince. “If it ever does, I’ll have to put you in your place, understand?” Her tone is light, but her eyes are somber.
Hadrien gives her a deep bow. “You have my word, Your Highness.” He straightens, grinning. “And should I fail, I shall throw myself upon the mercy of your blade.”
Shaking my head at their banter, I think of King Wylding’s shrouded figure lying prone in the grass, waiting for me to fetch his spirit. I think of the peace of the Deadlands he never gets for long, all for the sake of his people.
“I’ll go to Elsinor,” I announce. “He’d want that, as you said.” Twisting the newest pin on my tunic, I add, “I’ll need a partner for the journey. A fellow necromancer, in case I need to enter the Deadlands while I’m away.”
“Name your choice,” Hadrien says at once, his face relaxing somewhat now that I’ve agreed to his plan. “And Sparrow—” A note of longing breaks his voice, surprising me. “Choose wisely. It would kill me if anything happened to you.”
I don’t have to think long. “Master Cymbre.”
Now, more than ever, I need her guidance.
“Miss Crowther,” Hadrien calls. “You asked His Majesty about security jobs at the palace yesterday. You’re still in need of work?”
Meredy nods, a hint of pink appearing beneath her freckles. She marches to the bottom of the steps to face Hadrien, Lysander prowling alongside her.
I look a question at her, but she ignores me. I thought she’d be returning to Lorness any day now, once she’d convinced herself I wasn’t going to touch another drop of potion.
“I’ll pay you and your beast twice what you’d make as guards if you’ll accompany my Serpent to Elsinor,” Hadrien says evenly. “Will you protect her as she defends my people?”
“I don’t need any—” I protest, but Meredy interrupts.
“Accepted.” She props a hand on her hip, taking a long look at Hadrien. “But—forgive me, Highness—weren’t you one of the last people to see King Wylding before he went missing? I saw you two wandering the corridors this morning. You waved to me, remember?”
“Of course.” Hadrien’s expression doesn’t change. “But His Majesty and I parted ways just moments after we passed you. King Wylding was hungry, as the Dead often are, and headed for the kitchen to get a honey cake. I’ve no idea what happened after that . . . though I’m sure you weren’t trying to accuse me of anything.” He smiles a little stiffly as Meredy gazes placidly back at him, her feelings and thoughts well-hidden.
“I was simply suggesting that there may be some detail in your memory that’s been overlooked. Something that could help explain who took the king,” she says coolly. “A shadowy figure down the hall, an odd sound . . .”
“Rest assured, I take no offense,” Hadrien says swiftly. “We’re all on edge in the king’s absence.” He leans forward, the steps allowing him to tower over Meredy when there normally wouldn’t be much difference in height. “Still, I’m sure you’ll take excellent care of my Serpent. I have every confidence.”
The doors to the throne room rattle.
“For Vaia’s sake, let us in!” Simeon yells.
Hadrien nods, and the guards pull up the bar, allowing Jax and Simeon to rush inside. Before the guards slam the doors again, I get a brief glimpse of the Dead still gathered in the hall, likely awaiting an audience with Her Majesty.
“Any luck with the Shade-baiter?” Hadrien asks as Jax and Simeon approach. “Sparrow has just finished filling us in.”
“Afraid not.” Jax’s eyes find me as he answers, and I’m struck by how much I’ve missed his gruff voice and roguish grin. I run down the steps without another thought and crash into his open arms. Suddenly thinking of Valoria’s drawing of him, I break away quickly.
“What’s this?” He touches the new pin on my chest and frowns.
“Ooh.” Simeon grins as he realizes what the pin means. “Can you really be a Sparrow and a Serpent? What if you get the urge to eat yourself for breakfast?”
Hadrien clears his throat, and Simeon falls silent as the prince begins to repeat much of what he’s just told me.
The news from Elsinor quickly wipes the smile from Simeon’s face, and I wonder how much longer he’ll be able to keep making jokes when so much is going wrong. Always, I hope. Everyone in the palace could use a bit of laughter.
Meredy blinks at me with an unreadable expression, then strides to the doors. Now that my head is clear and I can think without the potion’s influence, I still don’t want her in the palace, or anywhere else I happen to be. What if she accidentally says or does something that reminds me of Evander, something that sends me right back to the calming potion?
Yet I’m stuck with her. Hadrien is relying on me, and I won’t let the people of Elsinor down, or King Wylding by association. The last thing I need are more dead Karthians on my conscience.