“Look, we saw what she did at the Tree of Eternal Blood. The way it spoke to her. There’s more going on than we know. The prophecy says—”
Vesper groaned. “Bloody Hollow, not you too. She’s a good person, Cal.”
A tense silence spread between them, broken only by the clip clop of their horses’ steps, before Cal spoke again. “I didn’t say she wasn’t.”
“It was implied.” Vesper narrowed his eyes at his friend. “You were an asshole. And she saved your fucking life. Show some gratitude.”
His friend sighed. “I’m not a malevolent person. You know that. I was struggling. And it slipped through.”
“It’s still inexcusable.” Vesper battled his rising bile. “I don’t see how my relationship with Emmery, or really any of this, concerns you anyway.”
Callias’s eyes filled with rage. “Are you joking? I had to retrieve you from a bar, facedown in a pool of your own blood and vomit, practically carry you outandyou got in a fight, Ves. People saw.”
“The bastard asked for it,” Vesper mumbled into Balthasar’s mane.
“I don’t care! You’ll soon be King of Ellynne. You can’t do that.”
“Well then maybe I’ll letyoube king, Cal.” But he knew he didn’t want that. If Cal wanted to rule, he’d only have to return to Delmira with his tail between his legs, and his friend would rather swallow a bucket of hot coals than run back to his parents.
But as the effects of alcohol wore off, sobriety was a bitch and in turn, made Vesper one, too. “You’re so wise and noble. Look at you with all your morals and self-restraint.” He flitted his hand in the air. “If only I could be Prince Callias Linwood, a living saint.”
“Very funny.” Cal’s face didn’t even twitch. “You’re a real comedian.”
“Seriously, Cal. You gave up everything for her. And you must have urges. Don’t you ever just want to fu—”
“Watch it, Ves. I don’t care if you’re injured. I’ll push you off your horse if you don’t stop acting like an overgrown child.”
“You know what I mean. You and—”
Callias’s glare clamped Vesper’s mouth shut. Too far. That was too far.
“Say her name and I swear to the Goddess, I’ll leave you right here without your mount and you’llwalkhome.” Cal’s eyes flared. “I’ll take your boots to make it a memorable trek too.”
Vesper held up his hands in surrender. “I get it.Bis off limits.”
A muscle popped in Cal’s jaw. “You needn’t concern yourself with my problems. You have an abundance of your own already.”
“Look, I’m doing fine. I didn’tneedyou to come get me.”
“But Ineedyou to be quiet before I leave you for dead in this forest.”
With a bloody hand, Vesper imitated zipping his mouth closed. At least the nausea ebbed and he was able to shut his eyes. Seek peace for a moment. They rode in silence until they arrived at Castle Dusk.
The setting sun cast shadows over the tall black spires. This place that used to be his safe haven was now a tomb without his family. And yet, it was the only thing that reminded him he wasn’t a total piece of shit. That he was a Merikh deep down in his bones and well, that meantsomething.
As they approached the courtyard, Vesper recalled the first days of spring many years ago. He and Izzy had gone riding, the weather too enticing to pass up after the cold bite of winter. She’d been so excited. Too excited to notice the badger that stalked the forest beyond the gates. Her horse had planted its feet and launched her into the trees with impressive force. He’d doubled over laughing until he saw her bloody nose and scraped face, but she only stalked back to the castle to clean the mud off her riding gear, and was out on her horse an hour later.
The memory burned the back of his throat and he swallowed the feeling down. Buried it deep in his gut.
Briar met them at the gate and shot Cal a condemning look. “What happened?”
Cal held up his hands in surrender. “I found him like that. I swear.”
“Again?” Briar exclaimed, eyeing Vesper’s bloody hands. “I just finished picking the fucking glass out.”
Vesper practically fell from Balthasar, or rather, he slid down the horse’s flank in a most unprincely manner. He lazily tapped his cuff and his steed disappeared in a wisp of black shadow.
Briar groaned. “Merciful Deimos, now look at you. Your eye too.”