Page 111 of Of Nine So Bold

Ignatius made a mild noise of disagreement. “Surely your younger companions are far more suited to ensuring the gateway’s security than me.”

Duke Ensid’s brow arched. “Are you disrespecting my orders, scholar?”

“I would never disrespect the throne,” Ignatius replied.

The duke’s eyes narrowed. He could hear the distinction Ignatius made just as clearly as I could.

Ignatius smiled. “I simply wish to make certain that our relations with Zenirya remain as you would wish them.”

The duke was silent for a moment. To insist would be to imply that he didn’t want relations to go well, which would be a mistake considering his magic was still bound and he needed Casimir to release him—which meant Ignatius had backed him into a corner.

Gods, I’d never realized how like politicians the scholars were.

“Indeed,” the duke said. “Erenelle values all advantageous partnerships.” He extended his wrist to Casimir. “Shall we get on with it, then?”

Casimir gave a slight sideways nod that communicated both agreement and the fact he was only consenting because he choseto do so. It was a movement I’d seen my father use numerous times with impetuous lords and rulers of other kingdoms.

A tight feeling took up residence around my heart. Casimir was born to be a king. Trained too, of course, but some things couldn’t be taught. They were character and temperament—something the duke could only fake.

When this was over, would he come back with me to Aneira? Or would he return to Zenirya, where there were only empty halls and a forest of ghosts?

Wrapping his hand around the manacle, Casimir whispered those words under his breath again, same as he had for Ignatius. The spell moved faster this time—or perhaps he’d simply figured out what steps worked best—and soon, the lock clicked and the metal band fell to the floor.

Tension mounted among my men as we braced for what the duke might do.

A shudder ran through him. “My loyal supporters next.” He nodded at his henchmen.

Casimir’s brow twitched up, but he didn’t say a word. Reaching over, he freed the duke’s men.

But I could see the tiny shivers running through my vampire. The increasing way his hand shook with every metal band he grasped.

He truly was starving. I was too, but he was pushing himself too hard to continue using magic like this.

All while surrounded by giants who could make the pain of starvation go away.

Tension quivered through me as I walked over to him, ignoring the questioning and alarmed sounds from my men. “Here.” I put a hand to Casimir’s arm. “Let me.”

“No.”

“I can help?—”

“Not needed.”

Gods, what had gotten into him? First Byron with the gateway, now me.

Still trapped in stone, Norbert called out. “What’s wrong with your king, girlie?”

A short growl slipped from Casimir, and the giant he was freeing recoiled with alarm.

This was madness. He was losing control of himself. And yes, so was I, but surely we could trade off helping? I knew removing those manacles hurt like hell. The force and magic it’d taken for me to rip one of these off Niko’s arm had been excruciating. But that didn’t mean I’d leave Casimir to bear this alone.

Barely holding back my own growl, I stalked over to a waiting giant. The giant gave me a wary look as I extended my palm, waiting for the woman to allow me to grasp her metal band. She towered over me by several feet, so large she made me look like a doll. But still she looked afraid as her eyes darted from me to Casimir.

“Pri—” Casimir bit off his protest with a frustrated noise.

I ignored him. “I won’t hurt you,” I told the woman.

Anxiety drove her to pause a moment longer, but finally eagerness to be free overrode her concerns. She extended her wrist.

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