Page 33 of A Wrecking of Salt and Fire

Kohl could tell the commander wanted to do more, say more, grab her in an embrace or kiss her on the brow, but that would cause questions from the guests who began to arrive. The commander and the princess. Not just any princess, but the future Prytan of the Spartanis.

That was something that could never be. The Prytan was not allowed to fall in love, was not allowed to take a partner. It would be too dangerous. Enemies could use that love toward another as leverage to bend the Prytan to their will. So Ember would remain without someone by her side until a new generation ascended to the throne. Kohl could not help but share in her pain of unrequited love.

Kohl mounted the black-maned horse, its muscles shimmered and flexed as Kohl gripped the reins. He did not know where in the mountains this cabin was. But he knew where the trail led around the Triad Mountains, where shelters could be built, where farms could be tilled. Maybe it would take him several hours, but he would find it. Find her. Kohl took the tunic that was left on his floor and showed Arion.

“This is who we are trying to find, alright?”

The horse sniffed the old shirt, taking off through the gates of the castle. Kohl understood why Ajax said Arion was a favorite of the king. The horse was swift, galloping away from the cliffs the castle sat upon toward the center of the isle. Arion wove in and out of the trees and olive groves along the base of the mountains with grace and precision. It was as if Arion knew where he was going and who he was finding.

Kohl’s mind whirled with emotion. Fear that something terrible happened to Katrin. Fear that nothing happened to her, but that she chose to leave. Anger that he could not protect her once again, that he left her alone when he went to see his father. He wondered if it happened then, her being taken away against her will after they made love for the first time. Or that she slipped away herself, intentionally leaving him.

Katrin had seemed distant while they were intimate. Kohl knew that he was hazy because of the injury and the tonic, but it was still strange—the look that engulfed her face. Maybe she seemed distracted because it was her first time, because she was not used to the act as Kohl was. He cursed himself for not realizing he should have been more gentle with her. Maybe it was him that pushed her away, that pushed her to run. Maybe he should have waited like they originally discussed.

Or maybe it was not her first time. Kohl’s chest tightened with the idea that she was lying to him this whole time. That she was having an affair with some farmer’s son in the mountains. The mountains where he helped heal her. He could not focus on that now. All that mattered now was finding Katrin, making sure she was alright, even if what he found out after the fact was something he’d rather not know.

Arion began to slow, the horse whinnying as it pulled its neck to the right, signaling to Kohl. His eyes widened at what the horse found as his mind drifted. Before them stood an old cabin, its door worn and splintered, the deep azure paint peeling off.

Kohl patted the side of Arion’s neck. “You really are quite the partner.”

Arion huffed out a noise that sounded like an agreement.

Kohl swung one leg over the horse dismounting from the saddle, leading Arion over to a low slung branch on an olive tree nearby. He tied the reins around the branch.

“You stay here, alright? And don’t get into any trouble while I’m gone.”

Arion looked away from Kohl, now too distracted by trying to eat the olive leaves on the tree.

Kohl walked toward the cabin, peering in through one of the windows. It looked dark inside, even with the sun cascading through the trees. He checked around back to see if there were any signs of movement, but could see nothing. Going back to the door, he tried the handle. It was unlocked. The door creaked as he opened it slowly, one hand on the handle, one on the hilt of his sword in case someone was hiding inside.

“Hello?” he called inside, to no response. Kohl stepped inside. “Katrin? Katrin are you here?”

The cabin was modest inside. A few pieces of worn furniture in a living space, a bed and a dresser in the opposing corner, a meager kitchen area by the door. It was small enough to see that no one was there. As Kohl ran his finger along the table he could tell that not only was no one there now, but it looked like no one had lived there in a very long time. The layer of dust coming off the table was so thick he began to cough.

Maybe Arion was not as bright as he thought. This could not have been the cabin Katrin mentioned. Kohl turned and began to walk out the door when he noticed a horse's bridle hanging from a hook. He went up to the bridle and there, embossed in the leather, was the same marking that was on the navy tunic. A sea serpent with two crossed swords. This might not have been the cabin, but it was related.

Kohl grabbed the bridle and headed for Arion.

“Quick as you can, back to the castle. I need to find my father.”

Kohl entered his father’s chambers without knocking, still clutching the embossed bridle, a murderous look building in his eyes.

King Athanas sat amongst the plush velvet pillows on the floor once more, the smoke of olerae lingering throughout the room, but this time he was not alone. A lithe young woman with jet-black hair and skin as pale as the moon, lay sprawled across his lap. She looked to be not much older than Kohl. The gossamer of her red gown left little to the imagination, his father’s hand much too close to the center between her thighs than he wished to ever witness.

“Oh don’t be so chaste, my boy. I know you’ve seen between a woman’s legs before. Maybe even your bride-to-be?” His venomous tone hit Kohl straight in the gut. His father had not heard. Ajax told the truth then, until they knew more this was to be kept quiet.

“Do not speak of her in such a way.” Kohl’s eyes darkened.

“And don’t you forget who you are talking to, boy.” The words felt like a smack across his face.

“Yes, Father,” he replied, “I wish to speak with you privately if you wouldn’t mind sending the help away.” Kohl’s distaste for hired flesh was known to everyone, including the king.

King Athanas waved her off, sending the girl to the door with a jingling pouch of coins. Reluctantly, and with a frown, she slipped out of the chambers.

“What was so important that you interrupted my private meeting?” his father hissed.

“Meeting? Is that what you call fraternizing with whores? What would mother think?”

The king’s eyes narrowed. “Your mother is probably doing the same as we speak, and if she was here, it would have been her head between that girl’s legs not my hand.” The corner of his father’s mouth twitched up.

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