8. The Deal

The look he gave me could freeze a person to death. But I held it with confidence. Of course, I wasn’t going to tell anyone about the weird kid in his kitchen. But he didn’t know that and I had to use it. Anything to get closer to getting Dad out of trouble. “You know that I can’t tell you that,” he said, piercing me with those eyes of his. If the circumstances were different, I would probably have melted. I had to admit that Killian was ridiculously handsome. But right now, my father was my first priority. “All right,” I shrugged my shoulders and went to the carriage, but he caught up with me fast and grabbed my hand. “I cannot tell you,” he cleared his throat, a mask of indifference on his face. But I noticed how the ring around his irises became frosty. It was mesmerising and I got distracted. Nevertheless, I got back to my senses the moment I heard his next words. “But no one can blame me if you guess on your own.” I arched my brow at him and my lips curled into a smirk. The Ice Sword of Riord wasn’t that simple! And if I was completely honest, I liked him better this way. His hand on mine felt warm as he didn’t let go of me. And I didn’t try to get my hand back as well. The two of us stood like that for a while until I realised that he was expecting an answer from me. And also that he was giving me the information I so desperately needed. “Very well,” for the first time, I gave him a genuine smile, “How do we do this?” “As I have already told you,” Killian Winter co.cked his head slightly and released me, “You will have to guess.” “Let’s see,” I decided to start thinking logically. “He is accused of treason. And there are just a few charges that may be connected to that. Is he accused of espionage for another kingdom?” “Partially, but not exactly,” the duke gave me the vaguest reply. However, it was at least something to work with. “Is he accused of stealing anything?” I went on. “No,” he shook his head. “Is he accused of murder?” I decided to just list everything and fish for his reaction. “Again, partially.” Winter cringed a bit while answering. “But no one important died,” I rubbed my chin nervously and bit my lip, catching him staring at me. “True,” he confirmed, and it only puzzled me more. “It doesn’t make sense,” I let out an exasperated sigh. “Are you playing with me? Is this some sick game?” “Don’t blame me if you are extremely bad at this,” the duke scoffed. “He is partially accused of murder and espionage, but no one important died. Why would they accuse him of treason then? It’s not like he would ever try to kill someone from the royal family!” I rolled my eyes but when I looked at Winter again, his face became stiff. No. No, no, no. “You can’t be serious!” I gasped, “Daddy would never…” “These are part of his charges,” he stated plainly, crushing me. And I felt Fern brushing her tail over my cheek in a soothing motion. It was as if she could understand what was going on. But then it occurred to me. “Wait,” this time I grasped Killian’s hand. “What do you mean part of the charges? There is more?! What else could there possibly be?” “I can’t tell you, Sage,” he reminded me. “But think again. What is the worst thing that anyone can do in our kingdom?” “Assisting or conspiring with demons!” I blurted out, not even thinking that there was the slightest possibility of that being the case. Yet when I met Winter’s cold gaze, I knew that this was exactly what he was implying. “No.” I said firmly. “This is… This is a very stupid charge! My father would never… Who could even accuse him of something like this?!” “That is a whole other question which I did not promise to answer,” he stopped me. “Now you know. Your father is accused of plotting the assassination of the king and working for the demons. I am sorry, Sage, but he is never getting out of that. You know how it goes…” I knew. Everybody in our country knew. The world I now lived in was beautiful and incredible. It was full of wonderful creatures and magic, but it had one problem. And that problem was the Ruptures. The tears in the matter of our world made from the other side. That other side was the demon realm and, as far as we were aware, that realm was dying. They needed a new world and ours was the only one they could take. So, they managed to make three tears – three Ruptures. And through them, they tried to invade and destroy us. Out warriors and mages were spending their lives at the Ruptures, trying to defend our lands. Until five years ago a nearby kingdom of Dairon performed a true miracle. Four elemental mages with tremendous strength and power managed to close the Rupture on their territory. No one before them was able to do anything like it. And even now, when we knew what had to be done, Riord only had three unsuccessful attempts that ended with horrible losses of our most talented mages. But even that wasn’t the main problem now. Slowly, demons were getting into our world and they were masking themselves as humans. There was absolutely no way to find out who they were unless they had shown themselves. And slowly they were trying to conquer us from the inside. They were taking the places of the people with high positions and ranks, either possessing their bodies or using illusions. Our mages had a hard time finding and distinguishing them. Sometimes humans were helping them too, either being corrupted or forced into cooperation. But the new law was simple – anyone who was working with the demons or connected with them in any way was announced a traitor and had to be sentenced to death. After a horrible interrogation, that was. Every drop of information was priceless. My heart clenched thinking that this was what my father was experiencing this very moment. “How long does he have?” I looked at Winter through my lashes, trying not to give away that it was hard for me to even breathe now. “It may be a few weeks or a few months,” he replied dryly, this time not making me guess. For which I was grateful. My throat suddenly went dry. So little time… “Sage,” Killian called my mind, getting me out of my daze. I didn’t know how long I had been standing like that, staring at nothing. “It’s going to be all right,” I forced a smile. “He is innocent. My father would never work with demons.” His gaze became sad and I did not like it at all. I did not want his pity. I did not want anything else from him anymore. “Thank you for everything, Your Grace,” I curtsied before him, happy that Fern knew how to clutch to me well. I was about to get into my carriage when he called my name again. “Sage.” I turned and saw him watching me with worried eyes. I wanted to tell him not to worry, but then… “About Mylie…” he looked slightly nervous. Of course... “Who is that?” I smirked at him. “Never heard of anyone with that name.” A vague smile touched his lips as he bowed to me respectfully and I rushed to get inside the carriage. But at the last second, I turned back to him to give a little advice, “But for gods’ sake, get some kind of illusion onto the girl. She can’t walk around with those eyes. It’s not safe.” His brows went up, but I was already inside. The coachman shouted something to the horses, and we drove off quickly. I looked outside the window, to see Killian Winter still staring in my direction. His garden was half dried and half blooming thanks to me, and the mansion behind him didn’t look so grim in the light of the day. I hoped to never see this strange place again... Fern curled on my lap and I closed my eyes, thinking of everything that was going on and of what I was going to do next. In a few hours, we reached the Riordian Royal Magical Academy and I was never happier to see its walls. Now this was the only safe place for me. I was glad that the coachman decided to help me with my bags because there was no way I could get them upstairs to my dorm. The man probably regretted offering me help as we went up and up the stairs. The top floor was for elite students and Dad always paid for the whole year. I was thinking about a hot bath and a good book for the night. I also wanted to talk to my two best friends. We didn’t have time to speak properly at the ball. I got the right crystal on my bracelet and touched the doorknob with it. But it didn’t work for some reason. I tried again and again, but to no avail. “What the hell,” I muttered and then the door flung open before me, making me gasp. KILLIAN I caught myself thinking about that girl again and I did not like it. I did send one of my men to watch her carriage. After all, it would have been stupid not to after someone tried to kill her. I liked this case less and less. What made me bring her to my house? I could have taken her anywhere. I could have taken her to the emerald duchy. But it was this place that I chose and I couldn’t find a rational explanation. Such a stupid mistake could cost me. After all, she saw Mylie. But what bothered me the most was that she mentioned her eyes and the need for an illusion. Just how… “Come in,” the Crown Prince’s voice sounded, and I walked into his chambers. He was at his desk, drawing something on one of his beloved maps and not paying me any attention. He was underdressed, as usual, and I noticed a girl gathering her things at the bed. She turned red as a tomato and slipped away quickly, mumbling goodbyes to the prince who ignored them. So, typical of him. I went straight to my usual seat and threw my jacket on top of it. “Is it done?” Arryn finally raised his eyes at me and I nodded. “Roland Satorr and all his knights were arrested,” I informed him. “His lands and money were confiscated. Everything went smoothly.” Yet that was a lie. “Good.” My friend went back to his work, but I did not buy his silence. “So,” he tried to sound cheerful, “What took you so long?” AUTHOR'S NOTE: Just a few days left until daily updates begin next week. I am excited! Are you? ;)