Page 15 of War Of Fire and Fortune
Chapter Seven
Kade
Imelted into the shadows, slipping through the cracks of stone and iron to materialize inside Ace's dank cell. The stench of blood and decay assaulted my senses every time I came down here, but I pushed it aside, focusing on his figure huddled in the corner.
"Rise and shine," I called softly, setting down the bundle I carried. "I come bearing gifts."
Ace stirred, raising his head. Even in the dim light, I could see the improvement in his condition from Valla’s most recent assault. His face had regained some color, the bruises fading to a sickly yellow and green. Good. Valla would be returning soon, and he needed his strength.
"Back again so soon?" Ace grunted with the movement of his hands but held a hint of his usual sarcasm. "I'm beginning to think you enjoy my company."
I snorted, kneeling beside him to inspect his wounds. "Ah, yes. Can't have a proper rival if he’s half-dead, can we?" I quipped, and Ace winced as I prodded a particularly nasty gash.
"I knew it," he signed, and I uncorked a vial of salve, the pungent herbal scent filling the air.
"Now hold still. This will sting."
Ace hissed through clenched teeth as I applied the medicine, but he didn't pull away. I worked in silence for a few moments, my thoughts churning. How long could I keep this up? It had been a little over a month now. How long would Valla keep him alive? I knew he would be good leverage for Emelyn, but other than that, Valla didn’t need him for anything. That she hadn’t been back in a few days caused concern. Either she’d forgotten about him or what was coming next was going to be her worst yet.
"You know," Ace signed suddenly, "you don't do a good job at hiding your thoughts, prince. What’s on your mind?”
I stiffened, my hands faltering for a moment. "Valla hasn’t come back for a while. I’m worried about what she plans to do with you next.” There was no sense in hiding my worries. Ace was probably thinking some of the same things I was. And we had talked a lot to each other these past few weeks while I’d tended to him.
“Whatever she does, we’ll deal with it when it comes. I’m not backing out now. Have you discovered anything new?”
“Not yet, but something keeps snagging on my memory. When Emelyn lost control, there was a woman I’d never seen before at my father’s side. I feel she is involved somehow.”
“How so? You think she’s a Celestial Fae like you?
“Maybe, but I don’t know why a Celestial Fae would want to help my father’s cause. Everyone wants this war over just as much as the next person. What reason would a Celestial Fae have to help him? What leverage could he possibly have?”
“Have you never gotten into your father’s head?” Ace asked. “Why haven’t you ended this yourself? Kill him with his own nightmares? I can only imagine the things in his mind.”
“I have tried, Ace. When I returned from the Western Wyverns, I finally worked up the courage to try and it didn’t work. My father has some kind of protection placed on himself. I’m assuming he wanted to be sure his mind was impenetrable the moment a rebellion rose against him. He was prepared.He must have used witches or some other form of spell or enchantment to keep his mind and body safe.”
“Well, that’s a start. Try to figure out what’s keeping you out and maybe we can figure out how to undo it. Take care of the problem from the source. And look for that fae. She might open up to you if you knew why she was helping your father.”
“I have looked for her, but I haven’t been able to find her.”
“Well, try harder.”
I rolled my eyes and gathered up the medicine and empty dishes. I felt a strange warmth in my chest. Talking things out with Ace since I was away from Emelyn always eased my nerves.
"Same time tomorrow?" Ace asked as I melded back into the shadows.
I paused, looking back at him. "It’s a date. Try not to die before then, would you?"
His laughter followed me as I slipped away through my Hollow.
Chapter Eight
Ace
Iwinced as I shifted on the cold stone floor, my bones still aching despite the past few weeks of Kade's attentive care. He had surprised me. He was at odds with everything I'd been taught about our enemies. I found myself warming to him against my better judgment.
Closing my eyes, I let myself indulge in a daydream. It was something that had gotten me through the days of torment. Luana and I, hand in hand, strolling through the grand halls of the Ember palace. Kade and Emelyn, as emperor and empress, welcoming us with open arms. A world at peace, the bitter war between our peoples finally laid to rest.
But would Emelyn even want such power? The sister I'd known back in our quiet corner of Osparia would have balked at the idea. Then again, so much had changed.
