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“I see,” said the wraith king, standing from his chair.
Vallon stood immediately as well.
“You don’t have to tell me your secrets, priest. But I won’t be the cause of a new war with the shadow fae.”
“It would never come to that,” Vallon assured him. “What I can tell you is that she would not be welcome in Gadlizel. That is the only reason. I will not put her in any danger. I only need time for a plan. And rest and refreshment for Murgha.”
King Goll’s gaze roamed over my torn and soiled coat before flicking back to Vallon. “I’d say you both need rest. My man will show you to your chambers. We’ll talk more tomorrow, priest.”
Vallon nodded. “Thank you.”
King Goll strode to the door. Vallon took my hand again and guided me behind him. “Pullo,” King Goll called to the wraith fae in the corridor.
The guard appeared young, his hair shaved along the sides of his head up to his four horns, his long hair braided into a tail down his back. “Sire.”
“Show them to the guest chamber in the north wing. The chamber maids are there now.”
So the king had already decided to give us shelter. He stopped and turned to us. “Sleep well, Vallon. And Murgha.” Then he stalked up the staircase and took a right at the landing.
The one named Pullo led us to the left at the landing. We followed in silence down a darkened corridor, lit only by wall sconces. There was activity at the end of the hallway where three wraith fae females bustled out of the room with buckets, one carrying linens.
The three paused beside us, dipping into a curtsy. They all had two horns, small and delicate compared to the males.
One of them said, “A bath is ready for the lady. And the linens are fresh for you.” She bobbed another curtsy, and then they continued on down the hall.
That’s when it hit me that only one chamber had been prepared for us. A wash of heat flushed over my skin. Vallon smiled down at me and then pulled me by the hand toward Pullo who stood at the door.
“If you should need anything in the middle of the night, don’t go wandering,” he warned. “One of the king’s Kel Klyss will be on guard.”
I frowned up at Vallon, having never heard the term. But he simply nodded. “Understood.”
Then he guided me through the door and closed it, bolting it locked behind him. That sound had my heart picking up speed, but I didn’t turn to him. Instead, I wandered into the room, taking in the opulence, deciding to avoid the obvious for a moment.
“What is Kel Klyss?” I asked, still observing the room.
The castle was old, but the furnishings were not. The four-poster bed was a monstrosity, carved with intricate ivy décor, the polish shining from the fire in the hearth. The bedding was thick and plush, a deep crimson reminding me of Vallon’s eyes.
“It is the king’s chosen warriors. Kel Klyss is demon tongue forthe Culled.”
I stepped toward the fireplace. It was made of the obsidian known to come from the quarries near Silvantis, the royal city of Northgall. The only reason I knew that was because a peddler had come through our village with smaller stones of this kind, bartering to those who might want to make a fancy bowl or cup. The peddler had not had much luck as we were a poor village, but I’d spent time admiring the stones.
Standing in front of the mantel, I grazed my fingers over the carved filigree, wondering how big the stone must’ve been to carve such a piece. But then my mind went back to our conversation. “So the Culled are guards?”
“More than that. I’d say they are more like the priests of the shadow fae. A brotherhood to the king.”
“But you are disobeying your king.” I turned, finding Vallon directly behind me. “That’s not very priestly or brotherly, is it?”
“You are correct.” He stood close but didn’t touch me. “My loyalty is to you now.”
“Above your king?” I asked, incredulous.
“Above everyone and everything.”
My heart tripped faster, that now familiar buzzing beneath my skin. Still, I asked, “Why?”
His mouth tipped slightly, those red eyes coasting over my face. “I think you should get a bath and eat, then we must talk.” He nodded toward a dressing screen in the back corner.
I hadn’t really noticed, but there was candlelight coming from behind it.
