“Fine.” He heaves in a breath. “I’ll find Ezryn and be back as soon as possible. Don’t wander off.”
“My feet are planted.” I stomp my feet for emphasis.
Dayton sighs again then leans toward me, face tilted … A kiss?
But as quickly as the action overcomes him, he jerks back, cheeks flushing. “Uh, okay. Be back soon.”
The guards wave for another set of sentries to take their place, then march on either side of the Prince of Summer as he disappears within the walls.
14
Ezryn
My head feels lighter outside of the Hall of Vernalion. I take a deep breath, reveling in the rich, familiar smell of my home. My gloved hands clutch the stone barrier on the ramparts of Keep Hammergarden as I gaze over the city, the Starweaver Mountains, and finally to the top of Mount Lumidor. Eldor, the keep’s majordomo, hovers nervously at my elbow.
“What is going on here, Eldy?” I turn to him. After leaving my brother in the hall, our head of house was quick to get my attention. I’d almost pulled him into a hug, I’d been so happy to see a familiar face that wasn’t standing vigil at my brother’s side. But I’d restrained myself.
The fae man taps his fingers together, one of his many nervous habits. His gray hair falls straight to his jaw, and he stops tapping only to pluck at his mustache.
“I wanted to send word, sire, but all messages in or out of Florendel are being surveyed. Prince Kairyn does not take kindly to anyone who questions his leadership. He brings to court a great … paranoia about the outside realms.”
I keep walking again, gaze out at my city, if only because I need to do something with my body. “Tell me, what has happened to my father?”
“It’s hard to say, sire.” Eldy shakes his head. “You know he’s never been the same since … since the loss of your mother.”
“Let us not mince words. I know it is you who has been the true steward in my absence. My father’s state did not allow for such work.”
“A duty I gladly served. But even so, in the last months, it’s as if a fog has settled over his mind. He looks without seeing. He eats without tasting. He speaks without meaning.”
My jaw tightens. “And Kairyn has taken this opportunity to revoke his own banishment.”
Eldy stops in front of me, holding my gaze with his huge, watery eyes. “Kairyn has taken the opportunity to do much more than that. He’s enacted a coup against the High Clerics, declared himself the new leader of Queen’s Reach Monastery. He’s brought many of the Golden Acolytes down to the keep. I don’t know what for. They just amble around. All except for the woman he put in charge of your father’s wellness. And his princeguard, of course. He’s calling them his Penta Conclave.”
“What of my father’s princeguard?”
“They were assigned to various posts around the realm.” Eldy’s nose twitches. “It was all quite sudden.”
“He’s always wanted my attention. I just never thought he’d go to such lengths to get it.” Collapsing over the barrier, my helm suddenly too heavy. “I was too hard on him, El. It was a mistake to send him away from Florendel. Now, he’s seeking to prove himself here, but he’s still only a wild boy.”
Eldy puts a hand on my shoulder. “By law, you were justified to enact far worse than a banishment, sire. To tell the truth, Kairyn’s actions may be radical, but he’s protected the people. His conclave has destroyed several goblin raids, and he’s housed and fed refugees from villages that have fallen.”
“At least some good has come from his disobedience.” I shake my head. “But I cannot allow him to bend the rules of his banishment however he likes. Regardless of how justified he believes his actions, there must be a consequence for his defiance.” I only wish I didn’t have to be the one to decide it.
Eldy leans beside me, wrinkling his nose. He has a large white flower pinned to the lapel of his green vest.
“A stardrop?” I ask. “Haven’t seen one of those in ages.”
“Oh, this?” Eldy looks down. “Yes, quite the pretty flower, isn’t it? Usually only used for medicinal purposes due to its antitoxic properties, but I saw a couple of the newcomers from the monastery wearing them. They are alpine flowers after all, only growing at high altitudes. But I figured it was all the rage with the young fae, so I procured one for myself. Quite the trek, mind you!”
I huff a laugh and clap him on the back. “I’ve missed you.”