Page 20 of A Game of Monsters

I expected Eroan to press me on the matter, but he didn’t. He never did, as if sensing Duncan was a topic out of the confines of what he could inquire on. “So be it.”

“Can we have a moment,” Erix said. Although it sounded like a request, there was no denying the tone of command lingering when he spoke to Eroan. It was not a “can we” but more a “give us”.

“Of course,” Eroan said with a bow, likely tasting the tension in the room as I could. “I can prepare the necessary for Robin, and leave them here for you to try in your own time. If that would be preferred. Whatever your decision, it is best we cover all possibilities.”

“Yes, it would,” I said, too quickly. I needed Eroan to leave so I could sort through all this new information. “I’d prefer that. Thank you, Eroan and… and I’m sorry for snapping.”

He bowed, although he didn’t take his eyes off me. I hated keeping these secrets from the man I’d come to trust, but it was imperative no one knew. Not everyone would take to the knowledge that I was harbouring a demon-god as easily as Erix had.

“You’ll need to be… tidied up, Robin,” Eroan added as he prepared to leave. “If I may speak plainly, you look weathered.”

“That’s if I attend the wedding,” I reminded him.

“For the sake of holding up pretences and a relationship between the Icethorn Court and Cedarfall, I’d suggest – as you hired me for this position to do – that you attend. It would be good for people to see Duncan and you living and thriving. Enjoying the world you fought to secure. Hiding away in the ruins of your family’s past is only going to separate you further from the ones you love.”

I clutched my chest, unable to hide the discomfort his truth caused me. “And what of Jesibel?”

“Jesibel is occupied here,” Eroan said. “She doesn’t require you to mind her. She has me, after all. And I have given her the task of growing a rose garden, something that requires time and focus in such frozen grounds. As much as I would love to come to this joyous celebration with you, I propose to stay behind and make sure she is well.”

Eroan had prepared for this answer, I understood that. He was ready to give it to me the moment I asked, and he was convincing all the same.

“Again,” I forced out, throat swelling with emotion. “Thank you for your words of advice, Eroan. I will need to sit on this new information and digest it.”

This was a fight Eroan was going to lose, and he knew it. So, he used one last-ditch effort to sway me. “Althea would want you there. Both of you.”

“If that was the case, she would’ve come and invited me in person.”

It was stupid, to feel hurt that I’d found out about the wedding with three days to go. I knew why she hadn’t come, and so did Eroan. He didn’t take that moment to remind me, he could see from my reaction that I figured it out.

It was because I banned her from visiting. After how I pushed her away, it was a miracle I’d even received an invite.

“Just promise me you’ll think about it. I know you well enough now to see that youthinkyou’ve already made your mind up on this.” Eroan waved his hands and his flock of fey picked up the trunks and cases of outfits and flooded out of the room. “But you must think about the greater picture. That is all I ask of you, Robin.”

“He will,” Erix answered for me. “I will make sure of it.”

“Then you are my last hope of convincing our dear king, Erix.” Eroan narrowed his eyes on him, gaze full of silent confusion at his presence. “If Robin won’t listen to me, I hope he does you. See that he makes the right decision for Icethorn.”

With that, Eroan left us in the wake of ruin his news had caused. Mind reeling, I got up from the throne and left the room without a word. Erix stayed close, always shadowing me. I didn’t stop until I got back to my personal rooms and searched the piles of clothes for the invitation stuffed into my jacket pocket. Once I found it, I proceeded to read it three times, just to make sense of it.

Everything Eroan had said was true, as I knew it would be. But seeing it in black and white made it real. It was a wedding invitation for two of the closest people in my life. The celebration was to be held in Durmain, just on the border between realms. A celebration forallto enjoy – human and fey.

“From my understanding, the invitation has been extended to every household in Wychwood and Durmain,” Erix explained, studying me carefully as I read the invite over and over. “There is not a soul still living who hasn’t been invited to experience this… spectacle.”

“Glad you see it for what I do,” I replied. “It seems like Cassial is really wanting to make this a fanfare event.”

Erix didn’t tell me I was wrong, simply twisted his reply to something kinder. “Cassial only wants to ensure the peace is upheld, as we all do. With what we both know, I understand it is hard to imagine such a time. But do you really want to prevent all of the people outside these walls enjoying peace, just because Duncan has none within them?

“Peacewill not last long unless I find a way of destroying Duwarandsaving Duncan.”

Erix gritted his teeth, the micro muscles in his jaw flexing. “Which we will do, together, as promised.”

I locked eyes with him, breath itching in my throat as his silver-hued eyes drew me in, forging me in place. “What do you think, Erix? You know what secrets I hide; do you think it wise I leave and play a part in this charade? Who is going to stay back and care for Duncan, administer his Gardineum, stop him from hurting himself or others?”

Erix straightened, his shoulders rolling back and wings shivering wide. “Regardless of the illusion you’re trying to uphold, peoplearetalking. Questions are being whispered in the shadows about the king and his consort who has not been seen. The longer you hide away, the sooner the light will come looking for you.”

“Wise words,” I said, hating the bite in my voice. “And yet still it doesn’t answer the issue at hand.”

“People are excited about the prospect of a celebration, little bird. They deserve it, as do you. I helped ensure everyone in Berrow received the invitation, as per the request from Althea herself. They want as many people as possible – fey and human – to witness it. Althea and Gyah’s wedding is the celebration the realms need to begin moving on with their lives. And this treaty will allow all to do so without the fear of another war hanging over them.”

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