Chapter 22

Without turning, the prince of Dreach-Dhoun spoke. “It seems we have some traitors in the palace.”

“Dav,” Trystan croaked.

It was still surreal, seeing someone he’d thought was gone forever.

But when Davi turned, the look in his eyes was something Trystan didn’t recognize.

Trystan took a step back.

“My father is going to punish that guard and the sorcerer who put him to sleep.” Davi shook his head, his face darkening. “My own cousin. You’ve turned her. Twisted her thoughts. Ramsey doesn’t surprise me, but Lorelai would never betray us again.”

Us. Them. Him and Calis. He was the dark king’s son.

Wait. Again? She’d betrayed Calis once before?

Davi tapped his fingers against his leg. “My father released her from the dungeons, and this is how she repays him.”

Lorelai was in the dungeons? Trystan wanted to ask why but knew he wouldn’t get an answer.

Davi pulled at his dark hair. “Lorelai wouldn’t do this.” He hung his head. “She knows what it would mean for her. How could she?”

Trystan wanted to go to him, to tell him it was going to be okay. Instinct. That’s all it was. He’d spent his life wanting to protect Davi. He clenched his fist at his side to prevent himself from doing something stupid like reaching out.

Davi’s eyes hardened as he lifted his head. “You.” He lurched forward. “This is all your fault.” He shoved Trystan back. “Everything is because of you!”

Trystan couldn’t refute that. It was true. Davi had only been taken because he’d saved Trystan.

Davi wasn’t finished and his voice rose with each word. “Fifteen years. Was that not enough for you? You took me from the one place I belonged and imprisoned me.”

“Dav, you belonged with us.”

“Don’t lie to me! I know everything. My memories were gone at first but a lot of them have returned. You and your father were cruel. I was just a boy, and you kept me locked up.” He shook with rage.

“That’s not true,” Trystan pleaded. “You’re my brother and Rissa-”

He didn’t get to finish the statement before Davi’s fist crashed into his face and he stumbled back.

“I don’t know her!” Davi’s face reddened.

Trystan touched his cheek gingerly. “I think you do.” He stepped forward. “I think you know everything in that head of yours is a lie. You’re one of us Davi, whether you want to be or not. You’ll always be family. You can’t make us stop loving you.”

“No.” Davi lunged and Trystan ducked out of the way.

“This feels familiar,” Trystan said.

“Because you used to beat your prisoner,” Davi spat.

“Because we learned to fight together.” Trystan jumped forward and shoved Davi back. “Fight me. Hit me. Do whatever you need to do. I can take it.”

Davi stepped back with a growl and ran a hand through his hair. It was a quirk so utterly familiar that Trystan almost laughed. How did they get here? The orphan boy who’d been raised right alongside him watched him as a predator watches its prey.

“I won’t lose control,” Davi said to himself, breathing in deeply. His body relaxed. “I have no choice but to tell my father about Lorelai and Ramsey’s treachery. It’s going to break his heart.” He shook his head mumbling, “and mine.”

“Dav, please, think about this. You don’t have to tell him.”

Davi shook his head. “You may have no loyalty, but some of us do. I love my cousin, but my father is king.”

Trystan stumbled back until his legs hit the edge of the bed and he sat. There’d been a time when Davi was unquestionably loyal to Marcus Renauld. When Trystan imagined being king, the image had always included his best friend by his side. Now Davi stood beside another king.

“I’m stationing a new guard outside your door to prevent anymore wanderings.” Davi’s voice was cold. “At least until my father decides what to do with you.”

Davi crossed the room and when the door slammed behind him, Trystan laid back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. His face still stung, but it was nothing compared to the anger ripping him apart from the inside out.

Maybe it would have been better if Davi died like they’d thought he had. Now Calis Bearne was even destroying the memory of him. Soon, there’d be nothing left between them.

His fingers trailed over his bruised skin. At least it was proof. They were still alive.

Davi would tell Calis of Lorelai’s betrayal, but maybe Ramsey had another plan.

One step at a time.

First: Save Dreach-Sciene.

Second: Save it again.

Third: Kill Calis Bearne.