Page 17 of The Awakened Prince

Raela squeezed the tiny woman. “What do you mean, Auntie? Can’t you tell me? I’m here, aren’t I? Safe at home. Perhaps you were out in the sun too long. Come. Have some tea. I’ll get you a snack from Auntie Mo. I’m safe, Auntie Toru.”

Her auntie wailed again. “You cannot know. It’s done. It has happened.”

Concerned and confused, Raela led her auntie inside. Grabbing the piping kettle, she poured some willow bark tea with chamomile and a sprig of peppermint, mixing a bit extra into the recipe she had improved from her aunties. She then stirred in a bit of yellow mushroom powder for strength of heart. Auntie Mo shook her head, well accustomed to her sister’s strong emotions. Auntie Toru took the mug and rocked herself in a large wooden chair by the fireplace. Soon, she was dozing, her mug empty and dangling from a fingertip.

Raela couldn’t settle down. Her fingers trembled from her auntie’s ominous comments, even those conveyed in half sentences. Auntie Toru was ever the pessimist, but usually not to this degree. The men—Killian and Phineas—were just creatures and no match for the power of the forest. And Auntie Toru knew Raela was never really alone. Not here. She had the constant attention of the forest's magic with Mother Bear a call away.

Raela was the messenger, the scout, and now, the translator. If the men proved dangerous, Raela and the animals would kick them out—even the ancient wolf. But what was the danger in gaining knowledge? What did Auntie Toru know that she was unwilling to share?

Killian

Killian was walking on air. She had come. They had spoken. Even Phineas’s doubts had been silenced when he saw her. She wasn’t a figment of Killian’s imagination but flesh and blood—magic blood, apparently, but still. Killian tossed the bouquet into the pine forest just before they crossed the gate. The flowers hadn’t caught her fancy. He’d have to think of something else.

“Tomorrow, we should bring parchment,” he said as they raced back to the castle. “Then we could write down some of her words. Draw pictures and the like.”

“You have reconnaissance training tomorrow, and the Ryker family is staying in the guest suites while Lord Ryker travels to the Isle.” Phineas paced beside him. “And your tailor comes in the morning to fit you for your wedding outfit.”

Don’t forget the chef wants to review the meats of the feast.

Phineas nodded. “Oddly specific knowledge, Jax, but yes.”

I plan to participate in the feast.

Killian froze, an icy wave rolling down his spine. He had forgotten about his wedding. Forgotten about Lady Zalina and her mother staying under his roof. Forgotten that her father had been given the ambassador role that Killian had wanted. Killian still didn’t fully understand why the northern army encampment and their many guards were insufficient to protect Lord Ryker’s wife and daughter while he was away.

Due to his cursed wedding, there would be more social events than ever. Not to mention a strain on his people due to the feasts of bounty, assuming they could salvage the harvests this year. He neither needed nor wanted any further distractions.

Killian slapped a hand on his forehead. “Zalina will want to be wherever I am.” Killian scratched at his temple.

Phineas set a hand on Killian’s shoulder, pinning him with a gaze. “Your father will expect you to host well. Shecan’tknow about the gate, Killian. Not a whisper.” Killian knew he was referring to the conversation he’d had with Lady Zalina, which his father had found out about. Killian had only wanted to share his frustrations with a friend. His father saw it as “weak dependance on a woman” and called Killian “unfit to lead if unable to decide on your own,”and “pathetic.”

Dread pooled in his belly. Phineas’s gaze was sharper than was comfortable. “You’re right. I’ll share nothing. Perhaps Zalina can be appeased by my attention at other times, like walks in the garden.”

His friend frowned slightly. “Perhaps.”

Waving off Phineas’s doubt, Killian climbed the outside stairs to the parlor. “Regardless, I need to go to the library to find out more about the gate and forest. All I can remember are the children’s stories, and I remember those poorly. I’ll need histories, language dictionaries, maps—anything from the last few hundred years. And the betrothal contract. I want to read it myself.”

“So much was burned by your great-grandfather before the war, but some things may have been saved.” Phineas crossed his arms. “Researching the gate and your betrothal contract yourself won’t be suspicious at all.”

Killian paused, considering Phineas’s words. “Do you mind looking into it for me? I’d be grateful for anything you can find.”

Phineas’s massive shoulders slumped. “I’m no scholar.” He scratched the back of his head. “But you shouldn’t be the one to do it, I suppose. I’ll grab what I can and bring it to you.”

“Have fun with the dust bunnies.” Walloping him on the shoulder, Killian grinned. “And thanks.”

Phineas waved before heading back down the stairs, Jax at his heels. The gardeners scrambled aside, pressing against the castle wall to let the large wolf pass. No one but the two men were particularly comfortable with the large beast on the castle grounds, but as an ancient, he’d earned a significant measure of deference and the uncomfortable respect of all who saw him.

Do you think there’s any chicken left in the kitchens?Jax mused in both their minds as the two slipped away.

Killian heard Phineas chuckle. “Didn’t the chef throw a potato at you the last time you tried to raid the kitchen? You finally pushed him over the edge.”

He missed, though. And today is a new day. Perhaps we’ll be friends.

“Perhaps this time, he’ll throw a knife …”

Killian was smiling as he headed back up the stairs. Opening the door of the parlor quietly, he slipped into the room and turned to face four pairs of eyes. The disappointed gaze of his father. The shocked and contemptuous looks of Lord and Lady Ryker. And the high arching brow of Lady Zalina.

Swallowing hard, he approached the table and bowed low. “My apologies for my tardiness. I took a ride this morning to check on a few things and was swept away with the time. Forgive me.”

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