CHAPTER 42: The Gift from the Gods

  “Rematch!” Faye’s furious holler rang across the entire field. Her heels dug into the dirt with sheer indignation.

  The crowd stilled. Somewhere, a goose honked as it took flight.

  Asinoro held back a laugh. He tossed a glance at the dumbfounded announcer. “I don’t mind,” he said, nocking his next arrow into place.

  Clearing his throat, the announcer squeezed out a brittle smile. “Very well then. Go ahead.” With an awkward cough, he called out, “Release your arrows!”

  The two arrows soared through the air… well, one soared while the other arched to the side, shooting past the sidelines.

  In unison, the crowd's jaws dropped. They scratched their heads in disbelief. How? How was it possible to be this bad at archery?

  This time, Asinoro couldn’t hold back his giggles. His shoulders shook as he covered his mouth. Still, the laughter spilled out.

  The masked man’s first arrow lay pitifully in the dirt, about two feet in front of him. His second? The crowd craned their necks to check. It had overshot the entire field. Meanwhile, the last was nowhere in sight. They figured it was lost to the shadows beyond the arena’s borders.

  “Again!” the Raven General demanded. She was filled with the utmost confidence as she pointed up at the night sky. “The winds changed during that round.”

  The crowd blinked. There was no wind.

  “Works for me,” snorted Asinoro. “Let us go again.”

  Twirling the arrow with an exaggerated flourish, he offered an encouraging smile to his opponent. With a genuine desire to even the playing field, he shifted the bow to his less dominant hand. “To make it fair,” he explained.

  The masked man rolled his shoulders, barely reacting to the insult, “Fine with me.” Mirroring the other, he raised his bow and squinted at the target.

  Both men nocked their arrows into place and exhaled in unison.

  “Wait!”

  The Raven General shoved through the crowd. “I need to speak with my champion!”

  She pushed past the announcer to get to the masked man’s side.

  The announcer dropped his face into his hands. He groaned as she grabbed her companion and dragged him to the side, all the while whispering furiously into his ear. To his credit, the masked man listened diligently, nodding in between soft hums.

  "You got this, Snowfox!"

  Patting his back, the woman crossed her arms. Pride glowed across the general's face as her champion headed back to the contestant line.

  Although they were hesitant to hope, the crowd couldn’t help but wonder what the whispered exchange was about. Could a few words really change the outcome?

  The tension rose as the two competitors raised their bows. They drew back their strings.

  The Raven General jumped up. “Elbow!”

  The masked man twitched. His form faltered at the last second.

  Asinoro released his arrow without pause. The arrowhead pierced the target cleanly.

  No one cared.

  All eyes were locked onto the masked man’s arrow. Their gazes were fixed as the projective veered sharply, then shot straight into the sky.

  There was a heartbeat of silence.

  The masked man lowered this bow.

  A strangled squawk filled the air.

  Eyes rounded with shock as a plump goose plummeted from the heavens. The bird had been killed instantly. As it crashed noisily on the ground, everyone recognized the familiar arrow lodged cleanly through its heart.

  The crowd erupted into unrestrained cheers. This was a sign from the gods!

  Faye closed her eyes, taking a moment to breathe. When her amber gaze burst open, a triumphant war cry burst from her lips, echoing with its force. Her arms shot into the sky, a clear sign of victory.

  “By the gods, Snowfox!” She rushed towards the masked man, practically skipping with energy. Barreling into his side, she flung her arms around his shoulders, her voice loud and triumphant. “That was amazing!”

  “Was it?” he asked dryly. Setting down the flimsy bow, the masked man rubbed his sore shoulders.

  Asinoro trotted up to the display to claim his grand prize.

  “Here you go, kid,” came the brash response as the announcer hurried over to join the crowd surrounding the masked man.

  Asinoro bristled at the way the announcer tossed the blue vase over carelessly before heading over to the losing couple. The crowd was eagerly forming a giant circle around them. The young lord stared at his prize. The victory felt hollow.

  A sour taste sat on his tongue. Lifting his gaze, it drifted toward the woman hoisting up the goose in the air for all to see. The crowd cheered in response. Even from a distance, Asinoro could hear her showering the masked man in flattering and entirely undeserved praise.

  First, the fiasco with the Morning Day and now this... Asinoro’s shoulders slumped. This really wasn’t his year.

  The Raven General lowered the goose.

  “Have this delivered to the Prince’s Residence,” she ordered the stunned announcer, passing it over.

  She shot a brilliant smile at the masked man who had the decency to look slightly uncomfortable as the crowd stared at him in awe.

  Faye tugged on his arm, pulling him away from the heavy stares. She tossed the flimsy bow over her shoulder, laughing as the crowd fought over the weapon. “I didn’t know it was possible to be so bad at archery!” She wheezed, wiping away tears of laughter. Her voice was breathless. “And to still shoot a goose out of the sky! Truly, you’re far more gifted than the young scholar!”

  The masked man shrugged off her hold as the young woman doubled over in cackles. Pulling on her sleeve, he prevented her from walking into a tree.

  “Are you upset I did not win the vase?” he asked, voice flat.

  Trying to control her laugh, she waved him off, unbothered. “Let the boy keep it,” she said dismissively. Eyes curving, there was a happy bounce to her step. "Plus, we have a goose!"

  Her companion snorted, shaking his head slowly.

  “You’re forgiven, Snowfox,” she grinned, the joy that twinkled in her eyes was unmistakable. Under the festival lanterns, her wild hair framed her amber eyes in a way that she looked almost carefree.

  Another quiet snort was her only response, but she felt the subtle shift as he inched closer. She barely noticed until their sleeves brushed lightly against one another.

  Faye’s heart fluttered. Her next smile, when it came, was more natural, softer. “Hey, Snowfox, what if we-“

  Her eyes widened. Without thinking, she yanked him back. It was just in time as a figure charged past where they had just been standing. Their fists were flying, thick with violent intent.

  In an instant, the general's hand was on her sword. Stiffening, she fell into a defensive stance. Her amber eyes flashed with anger.

  The masked man, however, was far less concerned with the immediate danger. He stepped forward, hand landing lightly on her shoulder. “Wait. There are many eyes on us,” his voice was a low murmur. “There are too many people here.”

  Faye’s hand dropped as she shot him an incredulous look. As she opened her mouth to retort, the brief distraction gave their assailant the opening he needed.

  With a sudden lunge, Rufus barreled into the couple. Pudgy face red with fury, he grabbed the taller man by the collar of his cloak. “You work for the Ice Prince, don’t you?” he snarled like a rabid animal. If he had the strength or the height, he would have thrown the other to the floor.

  Raising a trembling fist, Rufus held it in front of the glinting mask.

  "Tell me what he did to Elody!" the smooth metal only seemed to enrage the boy further. “Or else!”

  Before either could react, the boy was pulled off the masked man. Faye shoved Rufus away, hard. The boy coughed painfully from the impact of it. Amber eyes leveled a sharp glare at the fuming young lord.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” snapped the Raven General, cold and cutting.

  Rufus swung his arm out, pointing directly at the masked man. “You should ask him,” he glared angrily. “Your precious husband kidnapped Elody.”

  Faye’s brows furrowed. “Your courtesan?”

  With a jerky nod, Rufus turned his venomous glare back at the masked man. “I’ve seen you with his attendant at the Lucky Charm before. You must work for the Ice Prince.” He stalked forward as menacingly as he could. “I want to know where he took her.”

  Faye stepped forward, but Rufus attempted to push past her. “I know you know, bastard!” He struggled against her grip, still glaring, intent on reaching the masked man. “And you’re going to tell me!” he shouted.

  The masked man, remained stoically silent, arms crossed over his chest. His posture was stern and unyielding.

  The Raven General held the boy back, grunting as he squirmed against her sturdy grip. He was like a slippery fish, twisting and wriggling in her arms, trying to break free. The mental image was almost enough to make her chuckle, but she stifled the laughter.

  “Calm down, Rufus!” Faye ordered. She tossed a glare at the man behind her, clearly exasperated. “Say something helpful, Snowfox!”

  The masked man gave a casual shrug. Faye’s forehead twitched in annoyance. What a similar attitude to his master, she thought. Here she was defending him against his attacker while he watched, as if detached from it all.

  “Where did you kidnappers take Elody?” howled Rufus, voice straining like a wounded animal.

  “Why do you say kidnapped?” Beneath the mask, there was the faintest trace of a frown. “Maybe she’s already dead.”

  The words made the boy freeze. His breath caught as his face drained of color. But the stillness didn’t last.

  With a roar, Rufus broke out of the stunned general’s grip, charging at the masked man, fists flying.

  “How dare you!” the boy screamed, chest heaving angrily as he punched at his target.

  Although no Raven General, the masked man sidestepped easily. He dodged the subsequent attacks as the boy swung wildly in his mad rage. With sharp eyes, he evaded the boy’s wild, clumsy strikes with an air of nonchalance. His lack of fear only fueled the young lord's rage as he swung again and again, his attacks frantic like a madman with no aim.

  The Raven General rolled her eyes. “That wasn’t helpful in the least, Snowfox,” she muttered, but the woman didn’t seem all too bothered. Faye was surprised the other even responded to Rufus.

  She watched the two men’s fight…if it could be called that. Letting the pitiful action play out for a moment, she resisted the urge to roll her eyes. In truth, it looked more like a one-sided street brawl.

  Her eyes narrowed as she noticed the Snowfox’s breathing grow labored. His movement slowed as Rufus got in a lucky kick. Stumbling back, he panted hard. The constant dodging was starting to take its toll.

  With a resigned sigh, she allowed Rufus two more wild swings before stepping forward. She blocked his next strike effortlessly, her motion smooth and practiced, before delivering a firm shove that sent him crashing onto his butt.

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  “Stay down,” she snapped as he tried to scramble to his feet. “If you two are going to settle this,” her eyes glanced around the witnesses crowding around them, “don’t do it here.”

  She shot the masked man a disappointed look, which he returned without shame.

  Turning on her heel, she made her way toward a nearby dark alleyway. "Come along!"

  The two men followed her lead. Gritting his teeth, Rufus had a troubled expression on his face. He struggled between the desire to start another fight and the fear of enraging the Raven General. She was his only ally in this...

  As he drifted to her side, Faye glanced up at the masked man. “Did Nikolai really kill the girl?”

  When he remained silent, she sighed heavily, eyes flickering with something sharper. “It doesn’t matter to me, but Rufus…” she paused, considering her next words carefully. “He has potential. The boy won’t stop until he finds out the truth.”

  Her eyes gleamed with something dark. Mercy was a foreign concept on the battlefield… but without the constant shadow of death breathing down her neck, she found herself more inclined towards lenient methods. Her lips curled into a small, dangerous smirk.

  “If you’re planning to end him as well,” Faye continued thoughtfully, a fire burning in her eyes. “I suggest you do it fast and painlessly." Her next words were sharp despite her careless shrug. "It would be a pity though. I have grown fond of him.”

  Catching on, the masked man did not waste his words. “Will you fight the lord’s decision on this?”

  “Save yourself the trouble, Snowfox,” Faye spoke as though it were obvious. Her carefree attitude and blunt ways made it easy to forget that she was a highly skilled military tactician and strategist. “Rufus is a pain in Nikolai’s side, but if he hasn’t killed him by now, he’s not planning to.”

  The masked man crossed his arms, almost petulantly, his voice dropping into a mutter. “Perhaps he is merely waiting for the right opportunity.”

  “Nikolai’s smarter than that,” she dismissed easily, making the compliment sound like a fact of the world. Faye continued on, ignoring his comment. “Tell the boy the truth and let him decide his next move, instead of dragging it out.”

  As she moved to leave, she added with a quiet finality. “He deserves the right to grieve.”

  The masked man’s steps faltered. His gaze locked onto hers. He stood still for a long moment, tracking the way she tossed her hair over her shoulders. “I’ll need the lord’s permission.”

  Faye tilted her head, a small smile ghosting over her lips. “I think he’ll understand.”

  Silence.

  Nikolai’s blood ran cold at the words.

  His steps slowed as his mind raced. An unsettling feeling gnawed at the back of his thoughts. Did she know? Nikolai paused as unease filled him. Had she always known?

  She said it so casually, so assuredly. But he was certain he hadn’t given anything away. Nikolai faltered, his mind struggling to piece together any missing clues. Where had he miscalculated?

  A sharp crack pulled him out of his thoughts. He startled slightly.

  “Don’t worry, Snowfox!” With another loud pop, Faye cracked her knuckles, baring her teeth in a sharp smile. “If Nikolai gives you trouble,” Faye’s forehead pinched into an ugly frown. She growled lowly. “I’ll give him hell.”

  There was a blaring silence as they stared at one another.

  "Why?" he blurted out suddenly.

  With a wide grin, she threw an arm around his shoulders. "Because we're friends!"

  Nikolai sighed. He didn’t know whether to dissuade her violent threats or play along and thank her for her support.

  The entire secret identity thing was taking a toll on his sanity.

  “Hey!”

  Rufus hurried to join the two, suspicion heavy in his eyes as he glanced between them. “What were you whispering about?”

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  The king’s chamber was thick with the pungent scent of burnt herbs and heavy incense. The mixture was acidic and unpleasant, to say the least.

  Rewanna had her long sleeves rolled up. Her movements were precise as she stirred the simmering concoction with utmost concentration.

  Her gaze flickered toward her assistant. “Bring me the saber root.”

  Ducking her head, the assistant hurried to do as they were told. She dug through the pile of foreign and exotic plants, each looking more bizarre than the last. The girl's arms were stained purple.

  “Hurry,” barked the queen, keeping her arm outstretched.

  With a nervous squeak, the assistant’s movement grew frantic. At last, a dark, twisted plant was hastily found and handed over.

  Grabbing her knife, Rewanna cut off the very tips of the root. Murmuring under her breath, she scattered them into the mixture. It bubbled ominously before sinking to the bottom. Reaching for the wooden ladle, she carefully scooped two spoonfuls into a wooden bowl.

  “You’re dismissed,” the queen commanded, voice edged with impatience.

  "Yes, my queen," the assistant exhaled a quiet sigh of relief. In a flurry of movement, they gathered the remaining ingredients into a satchel. Gathering the unused portions of the mixture, she cradled it to her chest. With a hasty bow, the assistant slipped out, shutting the doors to the royal chambers softly behind her.

  Carrying the bowl, Rewanna perched by the king’s bedside. Raising his feeble head, she raised the mixture to his mouth and slowly tipped the bowl to his lips.

  “Drink this, husband,” she crooned softly. “It will help you feel better.”

  The king’s frame trembled as he coughed weakly.

  The chamber doors creaked open.

  Rewanna’s eyes flashed. “Who dares-“ She whirled around, ready to berate the intruders, but the words caught in her throat. Her expression softened instantly.

  “What are you two doing here?” she gasped. Setting the bowl aside, she opened her arms. “Come to me.”

  The soft patter of tiny feet filled the room as two identical boys rushed to their mother’s sides. Leinor and Aynor. The two young princes.

  Their eyes darted towards the bed. The twins stared at the frail figure on the bed, their unease clear to see.

  “Greet your father at once,” the queen instructed.

  “Hello, Father,” the two boys called in unison.

  The king let out another wet cough. A bony hand reached out to stroke one of the boy’s cheeks. The skin was so pale that his veins were visible. “My sons,” a tear slid down the face of his weathered face. “You have grown so much since I last saw you.”

  The boys exchanged a glance, silently communicating. Finally, the one of the right spoke, “Mother said you needed rest and that we shouldn’t disturb you.”

  “Did she?” the king rasped before another violent coughing fit wracked his weak body. He hacked painfully, breaths coming out in ragged gasps.

  “Father!” the boy on the left cried in alarm. Aynor tried reaching for his father's hand.

  Rewanna moved swiftly. Pushing past the twins, she picked up the bowl and forced the rest of the mixture down her husband’s throat. He gagged at the abruptness, his body jerking. She tossed aside the bowl to study his reaction. Surely but slowly, the fit subsided. The coughs faded into thin, rattling wheezes. It sounded like wind leaking through a broken roof.

  The two boys looked close to tears.

  “Rest, my king,” Rewanna murmured. She brushed her fingers over his eyelids, coaxing them closed. She turned to her sons, who sported identical expressions of fear.

  “Is he going to die, Mama?” Aynor trembled in fear, reaching for his brother’s hand.

  “Is Father going to die?” Leinor echoed, taking the offered hand.

  Rewanna resisted the urge to dismiss them to their rooms.

  “What nonsense,” she chided instead. “Your father is merely ill.” Rewanna took them by the shoulders and guided them to the door. “He needs to rest, and then he will be fine.”

  The boys nodded, their fears eased for the moment.

  But then, the younger hesitated. Twisting, he turned to peer up at his mother with innocent eyes.

  “Are we going to die?”

  Rewanna’s entire frame snapped towards them, her face etched in shock. “What did you say?”

  The twins tilted their heads, mirroring one another like an eery reflection.

  “The guards said big brother is going to be arrested,” murmured the first. Leinor glanced at his twin, who nodded in confirmation. "Yeah, they said they're going to bring him to the dun-? Done-the dungeons!"

  Rewanna’s eyes darkened. “Argan is being arrested?” Anger flared in her chest. Who would dare to arrest the Crown Prince?

  “No,” Aynor corrected excitedly. “Big brother Niko!”

  The queen stilled. A sharp chill coiled within her. How had the twins heard of that? For a fleeting moment, her mind spun with the possibility that the news had already spread. Straightening herself, she dismissed the thought. The guards and servants were under strict watch by the Hounds. None would be foolish enough to report to the Ice Prince.

  Not without losing their ability to speak in the first place.

  She smirked vindictively.

  “What do we do, Mama?” the boy reached for his mother’s hand.

  It pained her how their voices trembled with terror. They were still so young… Rewanna stared at the two, forcing a calmness into her voice. “There is nothing to worry about, my princes. Your mother has everything under control.”

  “But you said we’d be in danger if Niko came back.” The tugs on her dress persisted. Aynor's bottom lip quivered. “If Big Brother comes, won’t he kill us all, Mama? That’s what you used to tell big brother Argie!”

  The first twin burst into sobs. “He’s coming to hurt us!”

  “We’re going to die,” wailed Aynor, hiccuping pitifully and joining in.

  Rewanna’s heart stuttered. She couldn’t suppress the wild visions fast enough. For a split second, she saw her two children suffering under Nikolai’s cruel hands. Even if just for a moment, the mere thought of it struck her like a blow to the chest. She fell to her knees, gathering her precious children close to her. “Never,” she vowed fiercely. “He will never lay a hand on you. Never ever.”

  The boys stared at their mother, blinded by the innocence that belonged to children.

  Rewanna panted, clutching their tiny backs to steady herself.

  “But big brother Niko has never hurt us.”

  The queen stiffened.

  “Why would he want to kill us?" The twins hugged their mother, tiny hands curling around her hair. "Were we bad?”

  “No,” snapped the queen, voice hard. "Never blame yourselves. It is entirely Nikolai's fault."

  “You are royal princes! The finest in all the lands.” Her long fingers cradled their round faces. “You could never be anything less than perfect,” she promised.

  The confusion in their eyes didn’t fade entirely, but they clung to her familiar words.

  “Your brother… he is very angry at me,” explained Rewanna, trying to make sure her usual irritation didn’t bleed through. “I fear,” she murmured, letting the weight of her own words sink in, “that he will take that anger out on you.”

  Her grip on them tightened. The twins and Argan were everything. She had promised herself at their births that they would want for nothing. They were her treasures, her proudest achievements… her answers to a lifetime of broken promises.

  As she pulled away to stare at their beautiful faces, a smile curved on her mouth. “But after tomorrow,” she said happily, growing gleeful at the mere thought of what the morning would bring. “We will never have to worry about him again.”

  The older of the two scratched his head. “Why?” he asked as children often did. “Is big brother going away again?”

  “Will he ever come back and play with us?” added the younger, his eyes holding a hopeful glint amidst the apparent worry.

  Although they had been young when the older had first left for Feldgrau… they were old enough to retain memories of their older brother reading to them and taking them out to the gardens.

  Rewanna burst into cheery giggles. Unable to help herself, she wiped at her eyes before stroking their hair. “No, children,” she said, low and sweet. “Your brother, he did something really bad. And you know where bad people go, don’t you?”

  “The dungeons!” they chimed together.

  “Exactly,” nodded the queen. She pressed their little heads to her chest once more. “And Mama has found a way to make sure he will never have the chance to even think of laying a hand on you or the Crown Prince.”

  Her fingers continued to stroke through their golden strands. Their maids were ordered to use only the best for the boys, and she could feel it in the softness of their shiny hair. For a fleeting moment, Rewanna wished they could stay like this forever.

  Aynor leaned into her touch. “I wish we could spend more time together, Mama.” The younger twin gazed up at her, almost wistfully.

  Rewanna froze. She felt her heart skip a beat. She leaned down to press a kiss to the boy’s crown.

  Her perfect princes. Soon, they would be second and third in line for the throne. Soon, they would be the ones to inherit everything she had fought for, everything she had sacrificed. Everything she had won for them.

  They were her legacy.

  They were proof that, in the end, Rewanna had won.

  “After tomorrow, we will,” she promised, pressing another kiss to their soft hair. “Nikolai will never threaten us again.”

  With that, the queen rose to her feet. She pulled at the children. “Let us go for a treat in the royal kitchens.”

  The boys cheered, their excitement filling the quiet halls. But the younger suddenly faltered. His sorrowful gaze broke the happy moment. “But won’t they all be asleep?” he asked innocently.

  The hour was quite late, and the castle was cloaked in silence.

  Rewanna’s expression shifted into one of disproval. “It is an honor to serve the royal family,” she said, her tone firm and final. “Their sleep is of no concern to you. Remember that, my precious princes.”

  They headed for the kitchens, footsteps echoing against the cold stone floor.

  “Whatever you desire,” the queen exclaimed, her voice filled with a rare warmth. “You will demand it, and you shall have it.”

  As the twins began debating what they would order from the chefs, a small, satisfied smile played at the edges of Rewanna’s lips.

  The mixture she had brewed was potent. It was sure to keep the king in a deep sleep for the rest of the week. He wouldn’t be able to rise out of bed without help, much less interfere with her plans to save his beloved son. Not this time.

  Strangely, it was almost bittersweet, she reflected. To think their so-called rivalry would end like this. For so long, Nikolai seemed like a problem long resolved. She’d been content to leave him in his grief so long as he remained a useless shadow in Feldgrau. She might have even allowed Argan to name his brother’s children as dukes and duchesses had the Ice Prince stayed away.

  But the boy just had to return… with eyes as sharp as they were in childhood, but honed by the years and refined into something far more mysterious and dangerous.

  Rewanna clenched her jaw. It was not her fault that measures had to be taken to protect the rightful heirs to the throne. When he awoke, she would explain it to the king and lay it out for him clearly.

  Like with the former Crown Prince … her husband would have no choice but to understand.

  “I already chose the tart, pick something else!”

  The children babbled on, arguing playfully.

  Some of the tension seeped from Rewanna’s shoulders. There were few things as precious to the queen as her three sons. It was a truth she held close to her heart. They were her blood. She would do anything to ensure no harm came to them. And soon, she would remove the one person who posed the greatest threat to their future.

  Nikolai had no idea what was coming to him. As Rewanna guided the twins towards the Royal Kitchens, a passing thought struck her. A smirk found its way back onto her face. “I hope you enjoy your last day as a free man, dear Nikolai.”

  Because after tomorrow, the Lord of Feldgrau would become a name so horrid, so reviled, that none would dare to utter it again.