Page 23 of Spring Guardians & Songbirds

“Oh, no, my asteri, don’t apologise,” Driada offered. “The townsfolk were lovely.” My stepmother turned surprised to me. “But why are the two of you here?”

“I could ask the same,” I bit out more harshly than I intended and Driada’s smile waned.

Confused, Driada’s glances bounced between the three of us. She’d always been too naive for her own good. Not seeing past Snow’s actions at all. “Snow sent that lovely girl to pick me this morning. We had breakfast in the city, but she was called to the castle.”

Nia. Her warning. Gears began clicking in place. She knew I wouldn’t give in. Knew to use one of the few people that would make me snap.

Snow reached for the door and Nia came into view. “Would you help Driada back to Amaris, she must be tired.”

Nia nodded and extended a hand for my stepmother and gave me a look of warning.

“Thank you, for inviting me,” Driada offered.

Snow gave her a small smile but full of intention. “You must come again, hopefully Alaric is here for you to meet.” Once Driada left with Nia, she turned to us, that feigned smile completely wiped off her face. “We are in a bit of a quandary here. Were this under the circumstances I’d already planned before, there wouldn't even be a discussion, but we are not. And as you said, I can’t afford to play cat and mouse with you while my father plays king of the realm with divine toys. Very fortunately for you, the skills and knowledge you possess are what I need.”

“Why the threats?”

She waved a hand. “No threats, only a warning. It was fun, wasn't it? Watching you break in a thousand little pieces of fear. Didn’t you already know, toying with catch is a favourite pastime of mine?”

My jaw was locked tight. “I’m very mad at you right now, Snowlin.”

She tilted her head to the side and grinned so maliciously it would have made grown men shiver. “You’ve got three days to think. Meet me in Myrdur in three days. Think of your terms and I will think of mine.”

Mal chased a step behind me. I could practically hear all of his questions spoken out loud. And it was almost grating.

“Say it.”

“You will do something stupid.”

“How very little faith you have in your king.”

“The king is a dick. My brother is a bigger dick.”

For the first time, I couldn't help but laugh. “How am I two different people?”

He stopped and I had to stop, too. “When your arse is on that shiny chair you can somewhat think rationally when it comes to her. And when you’re this,” he said, poking my chest with a finger. “Is like all the rules Kilian Castemont has obliged since before he knew how to suck on a tit have all disappeared.”

“I was bottle fed.”

“I’ve always known there was something wrong with you. All that powdered milk.” He sighed, rubbing an eye intensely. “Don’t…don’t hold on to her anymore.”

“Mal, last time I let go of her they told me she was dead. The next time I let go of her is when I am dead.”

“She will hate you. More than she already hates you.”

“At least she is feeling something for me, brother. I’d rather have that than nothing at all.” I was not going to lose her again. And what I had planned would probably enrage her, but I never claimed to be a good man.

Myrdur lingered with a mist of death. Restless spirits clung to every corner of the massive graveyard Old Olympia had become. I’d never felt this much heavy chaos and pain gathered in one place. From the corner of my eye, I could spot my brother shifting uncomfortably on his feet. Malik’s head hung low, twitching repeatedly with whatever it was sensing. The curse of being an Eldritch Empath—to feel not only the living but the dead, too.

Larg rested a comforting hand on its shoulder before meeting my gaze and offering me a nod of reassurance.

“What happens if no bargain is settled?” Larg asked.

“We will go to war,” Mal answered. “If the Olympian forces leave the Highwall we are going to war with Snow and Silas.” My brother turned to me. “Don’t be too much of a massive dick and get us all killed.”

“Don’t think I need to be anything but silent to get on Snow’s bad side at the moment.”

A red light flickered in the horizon before us and soon a round portal opened. Caiden, a winged male I’d seen in battle and an older man with a great build, scarred face and greyed hair came forward.