Page 66 of Bitten

“He placed a tracking spell on our king,” Noah cried. “He put the entire city in danger. Extenuating circumstances? Hardly!”

“He wanted to save me,” Ralnur murmured.

“By killing Adriel and destroying Midnight?” Eilam asked, the sound more growl than voice.

Ralnur turned to Adriel. “You know Varian didn’t wish to cause you or the city harm.”

“I don’t know that I do anymore. I’ve barely spent much time with him in recent years. After his warlock trials—and the disaster those were—I’ve seen very little of him.” Adriel tossed his napkin to the table. “He only comes when he needs or wants something, so I stopped listening. And now I wonder if I truly knew you at all, uncle. I’m trying to believe you when you say you weren’t conspiring with the vampires, but the more you press about Varian’s release, the more I wonder if I’ve been blinded by my love for you. He’s a traitor to this city. A traitor! And you want me to release him?”

“He’s my son!” Ralnur cried. “I only press because I know he did what he did out of love for me. I carry that guilt every single day…” Ralnur paused, feeling the sting of tears. For so many years he’d been one of the most powerful warlocks in the city, and now he was powerless. The annoyance over that fact tore at him and made him feel weak. Tears of frustration burned at the backs of his eyes. “I love my son. I worry for his welfare. If that is a crime, then so be it. Charge me!”

Adriel eyed him, but remained silent.

“I know what he did was wrong. He came to you, and you turned him away—so he agreed to do whatever he could in hopes he’d save me.”

“Why did he not tell me then? He got close enough to place the spell. He could’ve told me then.”

“I asked him the same. You know as well as I do that he doesn’t think the same way we do. He’d made a promise to the vampires… and I’ve always told him to follow through with a promise. I don’t think double-crossing them even entered his mind.”

The king was silent a moment. “I cannot let him go without punishment.”

“I know. He must be held accountable. I’m not pressing you for his release. I just hope you’ll not sentence him to death. That’s all I ask.” Ralnur drew in a breath. “I simply beg for his life, as a father who loves his son. I would give my life for his. If you must have one—take mine. I know it’s just a matter of time before I’m gone as it is.”

Adriel frowned. “Do you truly think I’m that bloodthirsty? I don’t want either of you to die. I have others searching for answers, it’s not just Caelian—some of the best sorceresses and warlocks I know are looking through their own vast libraries for me—so I can figure out how to save you both.”

Ralnur relaxed some and looked down at his empty plate. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“But we’ve asked for your help, as well,” Adriel said. “And I still sense there’s something you’re holding back. Something that could help us in this quest.”

Ralnur feared speaking. Feared telling them the truth. Would they assume Kane was colluding with the vampires? If he was in Adriel’s spot—without the visions from Kane’s mind in his head—he might assume the worst. He might assume that Kane had changed him in some plot to infiltrate the castle. And Ralnur would’ve understood Adriel’s assumptions—and there would be little he could do to dissuade his nephew given his current situation.

He was no longer a trusted advisor. Every word from his lips was doubted.

If he gave them the truth, would Kane and Caelian’s lives be in danger? Would they be labeled traitors and incarcerated like Varian?

“Perhaps your uncle could use some time alone,” Eilam murmured. “To consider his situation.”

Ralnur didn’t lift his head. He hated that he wanted them gone. After all the long hours alone in that room, worrying about Kane and Caelian, company should’ve been welcome. But the trio only served to remind him how much he’d lost.

And how much he still stood to lose.

Adriel gave him a brief hug before the three left him alone. He sat at the table, feeling something simmering below the surface.

He lifted a hand and saw a spark of magic zip over his arm.

Unspent, it accumulated within. Growing.

Waiting for the moment he could unleash it.

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