Page 45 of A Deception of Courts

A loud snapping of metal sounded from deep in the ship’s belly. It vibrated through the damp, snow-covered wood we stood on as the anchor finally dropped into the dark waves. The same sound echoed across the ships that followed behind us.

Our ship jolted forward, groaning at the sudden tension as the anchor met the ground far beneath the dark waves. Duncan’s hold on me tightened. If it hadn’t, my ribs would have slammed into the railing.

“I cannot believe I am saying this aloud, but we actually made it!” Althea said, glancing between the both of us. “For a second, I didn’t think we would.”

The deck came alive with fey. By the last day of the journey there wasn’t a soul who didn’t help. Some began lowering the sails and masts, whilst others prepared themselves in smaller groups to await travel to shore. With each passing moment, the ship slowed gradually, coming to a final stop just shy of the claw-like rock formations surrounding the cove entrance.

“Please tell me someone is aware of your little detour?” I asked from beneath Duncan’s cloak.

Althea’s face beamed as she looked toward the cove. Her lips were pulled upward, her chin raised proudly beneath bright, gleeful eyes. “Oh, someone certainly knows.”

I recognised the look on her face. A mixture of elated excitement followed the blush of her cheeks and the way her posture straightened. Althea’s dirtied fingers gripped the railing. She leaned over to get a better look toward the cove.

“In fact, I can see them,” she spoke into the roaring winds. “Look.”

I squinted, trying to make out what she could in the distance.

“Stay close to me, Robin,” Duncan whispered into my ear. “You’ll be welcome, but I haven’t earned that right yet.”

“Nothing will happen to you,” I replied. “I promise.”

It was the easiest promise to make.

Althea raised a finger and pointed to the shadow-filled cavern beyond the crashing waves. The harder I looked, the more I recognised that thoseshadowsseemed to move. A bud of flame illuminated the three distant figures.

“There she is,” Althea sang, practically leaning over the bannister. “There’smywoman.”

My eyes landed on the very person Althea spoke of. Gyah Eldrae stood forward from the light. Even from a distance, I could see her burning smile. Beside Gyah was a vision of Althea, except much older. Queen Lyra Cedarfall was here to welcome us home, too. My heart swelled at the sight of them both, but it was the third person who forced my heart up into my throat. I blinked at the prickling sensation that filled my eyes as Queen Elinor Oakstorm extended both arms out to me and waved. If there was not such distance between us, I would have thrown myself into her embrace.

“We made it,” I whispered, allowing the tear to fall from my eye.

“Yes, we did,” Duncan confirmed, beneath the gleeful squawks of Lucari, who shot across the sky with anticipation. He leaned in and pressed a lingering kiss to my cheek. “Well done, my darling. You’re home.”

“No, Duncan.” I glanced up at him, unable to hold the smile of relief from my face. “Weare home.”

CHAPTER 14

No one else seemed to notice Seraphine and the surviving Asps melting from the crowd of disembarked fey. I did. Likely because I expected it, the end to their service coming the moment our ship anchored off Icethorn shores. The Asp faded into the surrounding night, all without a second glance.

I thought she’d have at least said goodbye. To my discomfort, I was proven wrong. I reminded myself that her presence had always been a transaction. It was never personal. She owed me nothing. Our debt was now paid, just as our contract stated. As soon as we reached Wychwood, I’d only ever see her again if I’d the money to pay.

Since this time, it wasn’t coin that had been exchanged for the Asp’s assistance.

I was the only one who knew of the assassin’s next destination. It was the price I paid for Seraphine’s help and sacrifice. Being in Lockinge, I found it easy to offer the Asps a new place to nest. It was the only price she would accept since the rest of their dwellings were now husks of scorched timber and stone.

I paid with something far more meaningful.

The offering meant little to me before. But now, standing on Icethorn land with its spiritual presence thrumming through me, I felt otherwise. Too late, I reminded myself. There’s no going back now.

I couldn’t grieve over what I’d given them when I’d barely seen the place of residence before. It had only ever been a speck in the distance, the promise of a past I never had the chance to experience. Before Erix had been the one to point it out, I’d never have even known its name. Imeria Castle. Even now, weeks later, it was Erix’s voice chiming through my mind as he spoke the name of my mother’s home. Somewhere I could have claimed as my home. Except home was a place that earned that title. Which is what made it so easy to give this away.

I’d have to tell my allies soon enough. When one of them noticed Seraphine had disappeared, they would ask questions and I couldn’t pretend not to have the answers. If I even attempted to mislead them with a lie, Althea would see right through it. Part of being a king was standing on your decisions with confidence – a skill I was growing rather used to.

Perhaps they’d react better if I told them first, before Althea, Duncan or the rest of them found out by other means. I hardly imagined they’d think well of me for forfeiting Icethorn’s castle to the Asps.

But it wasn’tmyhome. It was the gravesite for everything I’d lost before I even knew I had it. The human village of Grove still laid claim to that title. And I’d never want to return there, either. Not without my father beside me. Even in some warped reality, if he was still alive, I don’t think the welcome would’ve been merry after what I’d done to James Campbell.

Forcing the tangle of thoughts to the back of my mind, I focused on what was ahead of me.

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