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Snowflakes dallied in the air and danced around us. Soft, at first, puffed by the breeze. But soon the wind picked up and the snow began to push us forward. I believed in magic I could see and touch, not in the supernatural. Yet when I glanced behind, driving snow had blurred the road and the tower, as though both had never existed.
We’d entered into Justice, and there was no going back.
CHAPTER28
Lark
Justice’s castlehad been constructed long ago of blue-tinted granite blocks, high atop a jagged peak. Its battlements jutted into snow-laden clouds, like the sharp fronds of a crown. A winding track led us around snow-dusted boulders and by the time we’d reached the portcullis, our horse puffed and wheezed.
Aides bundled us into a large, vaulted ceilinged entrance hall that stretched deep into the mountain. Great arches acted as doorways leading into further rooms. I glimpsed a library, a lounge, a dining hall. But in the center, a fanned staircase swept up to a split landing, serving the castle’s two main wings. Impressive was too small a word. War’s temple had been impressive. The size and grandeur of this space was extraordinary.
A woman in a blue cloak and hood glided out from one of those side arches and studied me from head to toe, and while she maintained a smile, it was a struggle. “Prince Zayan, you must be tired from your journey.”
I glanced down at myself and then at Danyal. We’d spent the last few weeks living in the woods. Slushy snow and grit caked our boots. Our clothes were unkempt, we both smelled like horse, and we looked as though we’d escaped one of Justice’s jails and should probably return there.
“Please excuse our attire,” I said, slipping into a more regal tone of voice, to match my title. “We had some misfortune on the road. Bandits stole everything. Terrible, truly. Even the clothes off our backs. We had to get by through the kindness of strangers, hence our borrowed attire.”
“I see.” Whether she bought the lie or not, it didn’t matter. We were their guests and so far, it appeared we’d be treated as such. “Well, let’s get you refreshed. My name is Justice Sonya.” She dipped her head.
“I know who you are. We met briefly at War. You refused to delay my brother’s incarceration.”
Her head twitched, just a little, and her smile tightened like the knot in a noose. “That’s right. Forgive me, you were dressed very differently then too.”
I swept a hand toward Danyal. “May I introduce my advisor, Danyal. He’ll be staying with me.”
Danyal grunted, then remembered some of his old administrator’s manners and dipped his chin. “Pleasure.”
“Of course, we’re pleased to host you both. Right this way.”
Pleased, indeed. How strange that I should be welcomed while I assumed Razak was behind bars somewhere inside this castle. I’d ask after my brother later, but for now, I needed to orientate myself so I’d be ready for when our hosts inevitably turned on us.
Danyal and I were given connecting rooms, so vast and luxurious they could have been for the highest of royals, with sumptuous furniture and ridiculously large beds. It had to be a trick. Seduce us with luxury, then rip it away later? Razak often played such games. Still, I’d enjoy the vast bed and private bathing rooms while I could.
My room came with a young man of early twenties with fluffy red hair that fell in curls against his cheeks. He stoked the fires, and later, when I returned from bathing, he presented an armful of fresh clothes, then poured tea from a silver teapot. I eyed him in the mirror, curious. Buttoned up in blue and grey, he spoke only when spoken to. What had he been told about me? What could he tell me about his home and its people?
Shirtless in front of the mirror, I raised my arm and examined the tender but healing knife wound in my side. Two weeks in the wilderness and Danyal’s fattening me up had healed it well.
“You can ask,” I told the aide, catching his reflection eyeing my back.
He straightened and made his way over with a tiny cup and saucer. “Tea?”
“You are the first to ever serve me tea.” I took the cup. “Thank you.” The drink was sweet and hot, with a lemony bite.
“What happened?” he asked, while trying not to gaze at my chest.
“I fell,” I said. “Onto a dagger. Terribly careless.”
“You fell onto a dagger?”
Leaving the mirror, and him, I examined the clothes he’d laid out on the bed. Purple and black, of course. I was here as Zayan, so I should look the part of Pain’s half prince.
“Did you really fall on a dagger?”
Bless this innocent man. He’d likely grown from a boy, closeted in this castle, stifled by Justice’s many rules. “What do you think?” I teased.
He considered my question, then lifted his head. “You know, we don’t tell lies in Justice.”
That was good to know. Honesty was a rare commodity elsewhere. I shrugged the purple shirt on and buttoned the pearls into their hooks. “Noted. Did Justice Sonya tell you not to talk to me?”
