The Royals

Chapter 28

Someone screamed in agony. A plaintive bleating echoed in response. His goat? Notti peered through the blinding snow. The goat should be in the cave. How could she be out here, hobbled as she was?

The goat breathed warm, fetid breath across his face, It was the most wonderful scent he'd ever smelled His useless hands patted her face. She nibbled fingertips, pulling him forward.

He half fell, half crawled into the cave and she settled in after him to take the brunt of the wind. Why hadn't he found a way to block the entrance? Hubris - he had not thought he would need it.

Notti lay curled against the goat until he began to shiver uncontrollably. If his body knew enough to manage this, he would live. He leeched the animal's warmth the same way the elfwitch drained the essence from her victims.

Later when he woke in the cave with the storm quieted and the night clear, feeling and reason had returned. He recognized the recurrent cries of pain for his own. Fingers, toes, and face were blackened by exposure. Likely he had been stingy in cloaking his extremities and should have honored not a mere three but all seven Sisters.

He breathed in and out, in and out. Pain and frostbite … yet. would not kill him . .

Notti patted his goat in thanks. She was as stiff as a statue. Dead.

Instantly he doubted his newfound faith that he would survive. With quavering voice and shaking hands, he stuttered his goodbyes and smoothed the goat's fur. His fingers hit hard wood. The block he used to hobble her and keep her safe inside the cave was still attached to her leg

Perhaps the Sisters blessed him after all.

Kate awoke to keys clanging in a cell door. 'Let's go, man. Time for a visit with the prince,' said the guard. 'Huh, wha… ?' Maarcus sounded sick or drugged.

'Lyam, come over 'ere in case he's up to mischief.'

I should be so lucky, Kate thought, but knew other wise. All right, all right, Ivan. Keep your pants on.' He joined his companion and together they tried to get Maarcus to stand and walk.

'Guess the food doesn't agree with him,' said Lyam.

Maybe we should ask cook for the recipe?'.

'Maybe.'

Laughter echoed off the cell walls.

Slapping his face got no reaction, so they tried letting him stand on his own. He collapsed in a boneless heap.

'He's out,' said Lyam. 'We gotta carry him.'

The Shoreman's face was bloodless and his body limp as they dragged him past.

Ivan paused and gave Kate the grin that made her bile rise. 'Be back for you soon, princess.'

'I won't stop thinking of you the whole time you're gone,' she told him - and she meant it.

Feet thudded on the stairs as they climbed. 'Bangin' his shins pretty bad, don't you think, Lyam?'

'Yep,' he agreed. 'Magine we are.' They continued up and out of earshot, Maarcus' bruised legs thumping in time.

Left completely alone, Kate once again took up exploring in hopes of discovering anything that might help her escape. She had no weapons and nothing that could be turned into one. Nonetheless, she was determined to find something. She peered and probed until they returned.

Maarcus showed no signs of t*****e; nor any signs of hers. improvement. They locked him in his cell and opened hers.

'Your turn,' Lyam announced.

'You're back sooner than expected,' she said. "I thought t*****e took longer.'

'The prince is a regular model of swiftness, he is,' the guard said, not confirming or denying her charge.

'Let's go.'

Thinking of their casual mistreatment of Maarcus, Kate went along as instructed.

It could have been easy to forget the dungeon once Kate entered the house proper. The rooms boasted comfortable chairs adorned in rich brocades and a number of extraordinary hangings.

By comparison, the castle was dismally furnished. Obviously the palace had been stripped to accommo date this secret address. But how had Henry managed it?

'Welcome to the private family quarters, sister.' His voice was rough, as if he hadn't used it in a while.

Taking her time and using every bit of aristocracy she possessed, Kate turned slowly to face him.

And still the sight of him made her gasp. Her brother had aged thirty or forty years. 'Henry?'.

'You flatter me."

She moved closer. The man looked very much like Henry gone to seed. There were Henry's same square jaw and piercing eyes buried beneath some thirty years and a lifetime of indulgence.

Apparently, he was just as taken aback. As she studied him, he rubbed his jaw and stared blatantly at her. He nodded to himself as if a decision had been made then stepped back to wave his guards through the door.

You resemble my dear departed older sister. You're prettier, of course. She had too much of our mother, while you have what, elven blood?'

He made it sound like something perverse. So I'm told, Kate answered without apology.

And your brother, the Dragon Prince,' he said with a sneer, 'is he as fine-boned?"

Kate had never considered herself or Henry as fine boned, though they ran a little tall for humans and they seemed to age a trifle slower. 'He would not be mistaken for female,' she said.

'Ah, sisterly protectiveness. Unusual in our line, but I approve. He tsked sadly. 'Too bad there wasn't much of it among Father's first family. Perhaps your mother had the civilizing influence ours lacked."

'I doubt that,' Kate said drily, wondering if he had heard the full truth of who her mother was. 'No? Interesting.' He lifted a glass of brandy and took a sip. 'I assume that old, narrow-minded doctor or the humorless magician provided you with our complete lineage. There are a few of the younger brood scattered about. I am Hadrian, of course, King Tabor's fifth child and the only remaining legitimate issue.' Something dark in his tone hinted that perhaps he had been party to the demise of one or more of his siblings, and might be willing to reprise his role.

He came closer. 'You're quite beautiful.' His voice held a slippery quality she didn't like. 'You'd look lovely in one of mother's gowns.'

Kate didn't bother to hide her disgust. 'I primp for no man and certainly not for my half-brother.'

'Oh, don't pretend to be so appalled. You've lived with your brother all your life.'