The chrysanthemum fields with the grave markers … The fallen from that battle became the army I saw Perth raise only months ago.
“My mother was lost in the siege of Frostfang,” Kel continues, and his throat bobs. “And I did not escape. Caspian took me prisoner, left me hanging on the side of a mountain to die.”
“Kel,” I whisper.
“Don’t fret.” He runs a finger down my nose. “Ez climbed the whole thing, hand over hand, and freed me.
“After I returned, the forces of the four realms were able to rally and take back Frostfang. Ultimately, we defeated the Below, though many were lost. The heavenly flower we had spent so long searching for was destroyed in the fight.”
“I can’t believe you lived through all of that,” I say. My mind reels trying to place each of my princes in this sordid history.
“Now you know my greatest shame and why I was cursed. My father died during this War of Thorns, and I became High Prince. It was not long after, that the Enchantress came to Castletree, cursing us forever. Only days passed before Caspian began to wrap Castletree in his thorns and start siphoning the magic from these hallowed branches.”
I hold tight to him, not only to keep him fae, but because he needs it. A light sweat covers his body, and he shivers.
“Thank you for telling me. I’m glad to know your past and all you faced.” My mind spins with the new information and trying to make sense of Caspian within it. Was that what you wanted, Prince of Thorns? Did he love Kel all along, or is it as the Winter Prince believes and a plot of betrayal? Why the thorns and lying to the princes about the nature of it? Why save me time and time again?
“There is, of course, more than I have said, and you may ask me any of it.”
“I will,” I say, nuzzling into his neck. “For tonight, this is more than enough. But there’s something I need to tell you about Caspian.”
Kel tilts his chin. “Is it how you told Farron you think he is your mate?”
“Caspian spoke in my mind, Kel. Only you and Farron have done that and … I don’t know. Farron believes it’s a side effect of the bargain between you two.”
The muscles in Kel’s jaw twitch, but there’s no anger at this mention. “If he feels a connection, it would explain some of his actions. His … preoccupation with you.”
“I don’t really understand it,” I admit, “only that I know Caspian has done terrible, unforgivable things, but a part of me believes there is still good in him.”
“I want to say you’re wrong, but if I truly believed that, then these thorns around my wrist would be gone. Because I’ve seen it. Seen him in a light many others haven’t. When he’s sad, with tears running down his cheeks. Or nervous before a party, desperately trying to smooth down his hair. I’ve seen him blissed with pleasure and hysterical with rage. I’ve even seen him laughing so hard he cried.”
“I hardly believe that,” I say.
“It’s rare, but true. And to think all of that was just an act? A part of me still can’t make sense of it.”
“What about that blackness he coughs up? He called it ‘the rot’。”
“Caspian is a creature entirely of the Below. He is made of a magic not of this world,” Keldarion says lowly. “He never told me the details, but from what I gathered, it had to do with the circumstances of his birth, how Sira bore such a powerful child. There is always a cost for such magic, and for Caspian, it means he cannot survive on the surface. Though, he used to be able to spend months up here before returning to the Below. I would think he is even more powerful now with all the magic he siphons from Castletree.”
My gaze drifts to the thorns snaking up the room, and I desperately want to tell Kel the truth. But Caspian made me promise not to. But I can tell Kel my truth.
“I can feel the thorns,” I say. “And they’re not siphoning magic.”
“Are you sure?”
I take Kel’s hand in my own and press it over a thorn above the bed. I close my eyes and let myself feel. “When you tore the vines in High Tower and when I tried to remove them in the dining room, Castletree crumbled. Look how they curve along the walls … I don’t believe they’re hurting Castletree.”
“Why would he offer strength to his enemies?” Kel gives a low breath. “Perhaps that’s why he’s so sick.”
I hadn’t thought about it like that. How much magic is he using to keep Castletree standing?