Page 65 of Path of the Dark
21
Destiny
NINIA WATCHED KING Nathan closely. Despite the humid morning, he wore his heavy mink cloak. The mantle emphasized the breadth and power of his shoulders. Nonetheless, it couldn’t disguise his tension: a nerve flickered under one eye, and his jaw clenched. Nathan’s brown eyes smoldered and the hand that lay upon the table was fisted.
The king didn’t speak while they all filed into the Council Chamber.
Taking her own seat, Ninia glanced over at where Asher had just sat down. He wore a serious expression, his gaze shadowed. Beside him, Mira was frowning. She’d taken Ryana’s place at the table.
The Head of the Dark’s absence was painfully evident this morning.
Once all the members of the council were seated, the king turned to the captain of the King’s Guard. “Jonas … any word from your men?”
Captain Jonas’s mouth thinned. “Most of them are still out searching, sire. However, they sent back news that the prince has eluded them so far. The hounds haven’t been able to pick up his scent.”
Nathan’s dark brows knitted together. He shifted his gaze to Asher. “This is Ryana’s doing, isn’t it?”
“Not necessarily,” Asher replied, frowning. “Elias could have covered his tracks.”
The king continued to stare him down. “No one escapes my dogs.”
Asher’s frown deepened. “Ryana wouldn’t help Elias escape.”
“And yet she’s gone … and you can’t tell me where.”
“Ryana was shocked when I told her about his treachery,” Asher pointed out. “Why would she help him?”
King Nathan leaned back in his carven chair and viewed the High Enchanter under hooded lids. “Because they’re lovers.”
A stunned silence fell in the chamber. Asher and Mira exchanged looks, while Captain Jonas shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
Ninia’s breathing hitched as she remembered her conversation with Ryana atop the House of Light and Darkness a few days earlier. She’d teased her friend at the time, but it all made sense now.
Deciding it was best to address this head on, Ninia cleared her throat. “Do you have proof of this, Your Highness?”
The king shifted his attention to her. His stare wasn’t friendly. For the first time since she’d come to live in Rithmar, Ninia felt an outsider. The assessing look on his face reminded her that Nathan was a military commander. “Do you think I’d let an Anthor prince walk around my city unwatched?” Nathan replied. “He couldn’t keep away from the witch.”
Ninia tensed. She didn’t like the tone the king had just used. Ryana was a talented enchanter and her friend. “Ryana didn’t go with Elias,” she pointed out with a frown. “He left on his own.”
“That doesn’t mean he didn’t wait for her outside the city walls,” Nathan replied. His expression hardened further. “Why did you let him escape?”
Ninia squared her shoulders. She’d been waiting for this and had been surprised that Nathan hadn’t hauled her in for a meeting the night before. Yet it seemed he’d been biding his time, waiting until they had an audience. Ninia didn’t mind, she’d spent most of her life dealing with the intrigue, disputes, and politics of court life. Even so, Nathan of Rithmar was an intimidating sight this morning. “You know why,” she said, raising her voice so it echoed off the council chamber walls. “He stopped one of his men from killing me.”
“That wasn’t your decision to make.”
“Aye, it was.” A chill silence settled over the chamber at these words. Nathan had gone still, his gaze boring into her, but Ninia continued. “You don’t understand.” She then cast a quelling look in Asher’s direction. “And you should, but don’t seem to either.”
Asher’s gaze narrowed, while across the table Nathan started to twist the signet ring he wore on the little finger of his right hand. His gaze smoldered. “Enlighten us then.”
“A bond was forged between Elias and me in the Dim Hold when I spared his life,” Ninia replied, pressing on doggedly despite Mira’s warning look. “He’s a complex man, weighed down by a sense of responsibility that will be his undoing … but he isn’t black-hearted.” She paused here. “I don’t regret letting him go.”
It was true. Relief had filtered over her as she’d watched Elias disappear down that alley.
She was glad he’d gotten away.
Nonetheless, sweat trickled down her back between her shoulder blades as she weathered Nathan’s displeasure. Ninia had no wish to thwart the king, but she wouldn’t apologize.
“You’ve let an assassin loose,” Nathan replied, his voice harsh now. “A man who lied his way into my confidence, who wasted days of my time.”
