Page 86 of Kiss of Ice

Both were bastions of strength and security, built at a time when the land still bore the scars of the demon wars.

They were a sharp contrast to more recent constructions. The Fae Palace in Feyir, for example, was no less impressive, but its ice-cream turrets and picture windows spoke of a more carefree time.

Ren had always loved Valkar. The big towers, the huge rooms, the endless corridors and the little secret hidey-holes where she used to play – they all felt like home.

She’d been an only child but she’d never been a lonely one. Her mother had made sure she had friends; kids of the servants, mostly, which she now realised her father had hated but back then he’d been more lenient. Her mother had known how to handle him and his moods.

She’d brought light and joy to Valkar. And though Salaq had always been cold and calculating, her presence had diluted some of his harshness.

When her mother had died, Salaq had become more distant. That was okay, she’d understood he was grieving. But whatever softness he’d possessed had also disappeared. He’d become harder, more ambitious.

Ambitious enough to commit treason?

No, she thought instantly. He wasn’t cruel enough to condemn a man to live as a beast.

Then why would Kam make up such a lie? And did shereallythink the man who’d spent a day in the slums with her was the kind of man who ran away because he was scared of responsibility?

That was what she was here to find out. Trying to ease the ache in her spine, Ren walked into the castle.

“Father? Hello?”

“Morenna.” Surprised, Salaq came to greet her. She knew better than to expect a hug. He stopped a few feet from her and regarded her quizzically. “What are you doing here? Is everything all right?”

“I… I don’t know.”

“Is it the Emperor? Is he treating you badly?”

“No… yes… it’s complicated.”

“But the marriage is still going ahead?” His grey eyes were sharp. “It’s important that he marries you, daughter. For the good of the Marid.”

Ren looked down at her mother’s ring. Then she crossed her arms.

“I need to ask you something, father. And I need you to tell me the truth.”

Salaq’s eyes narrowed.

“Are you implying I have lied to you in some way?”

She forced herself to continue.

“Why were you always so certain Kam ran away? What persuaded you?”

“I don’t see why I have to explain myself to you.”

“I need to know. I’ve never questioned you, never doubted your word. I just want to know why you think he’s a coward.”

“Isn’t it self-explanatory? He disappeared for fifty years and let us all believe he was dead. He let his ownfatherbelieve he’d perished in a hunting accident. And then he reappeared with not a scratch on him. It was obvious he’d spent all that time hiding somewhere.” Salaq regarded her coldly. “What other explanation is there?”

Ren desperately wanted to believe him. And she’d never doubted his word before. But she’d met Kam now. She knew him. She took a shaky breath.

“Kam told me that he never ran away. He says he was cursed. Transformed into a beast by a dark sorcerer.” She paused, watching it sink in.

“Is that so?” Salaq gave a supercilious smile. “That sounds exceedingly far-fetched. The lies of a man trying to wriggle out of blame.”

“He says…” her voice faltered. “He says the sorcerer worked for you.”

Silence.

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