The woman’s eyes were almost closed, and he could no longer hear her breathing. He pressed two fingers to the side of her neck to find that her pulse was thready and slowing with each beat.
“This was the gentlest way I could think to do this,” Rayne whispered, though he wasn’t sure if she could even hear him any longer. “Treason against your own prince warrants the death penalty, but you also threatened the life of my king. I couldn’t let you go another step farther with us. Yet, since you did fight with us, I promise to tell Shey that you died protecting Caelan rather than betraying him.”
Pushing to his feet on shaking knees, Rayne picked up the teacups and the teapot. He carried them to the bathroom, thoroughly rinsed them all out, and placed them on the serving tray. After lowering the barrier that protected the room, he put the tray into the hall for a servant to pick up later.
With the magic shield in place again, Rayne sat down in his chair and stared at Vale’s still form. His hands trembled slightly and his throat was tight, but he wouldn’t let himself look away. Killing in the heat of battle wasn’t something he gave much thought to. It was a matter of survival for both himself and his king.
But this had been slow and methodical. He’d worked out each step of his plan well before they reached Temit. The punishment fit the crime.
In all the years that he served Caelan, he’d had very few private interactions with Queen Amara, but one conversation he’d had with her stood out in his mind. She’d pressed him more than once that he would need to be ruthless in the protection of her son.
This was the first time he’d killed in secret to keep Caelan safe.
He doubted it would be the last time.
TWENTY-THREE
Eno Bevyn
The High Aspect’s carriage clattered up the narrow, winding path that slithered along the side of Mount Langbo. Given the cold wind that battered the side and the bounty of furs and blankets that covered them, they were better off in the cramped carriage than riding a horse or walking up the road. But the heavy silence in the carriage left Eno wishing he were on a horse rather than inside.
Maybe then he could forget the sight of Vale’s corpse on the sofa.
Drayce had been the one to find her and raise the alarm. They’d set a wake-up call for an hour before dawn so they would have enough time to pack and head to the gate where they would board the High Aspect’s carriage. Caelan confirmed that Rayne’s shield was untouched, so it couldn’t have been an assassin’s attack.
But suicide?
Yes, Rayne had found the dropped shot glass with a lingering white residue of something, but suicide?
Eno rubbed his tired, burning eyes, then dropped his hand to his lap. He hadn’t known her all that well, but he thought he knew her type—endlessly resilient, strong, fearless. She was still all that and more even if she’d committed suicide. He didn’t know what she’d suffered through while living in Zastrad.
When he lifted his eyes again, they immediately met Rayne’s concerned gaze. The advisor sat next to the king, his expression grave and face heavily lined with worry. He’d been the one to jump into action when they wanted to debate and mourn. The fact was, they could do nothing for Vale now. They had to keep moving forward if they wanted to protect the rest of Thia from a dark fate.
Rayne had made a series of quick phone calls to the hotel front desk and then spoke with the High Aspect, requesting that Vale’s ashes be sent directly to Prince Shey with a message that he’d personally penned that spoke of her courage in protecting King Caelan. There was no mention of the kidnapping that could have ended their lives. Eno appreciated that. It had to have been a simple lapse in judgment on her part. A mistake.
Bright light flooded the dreary interior of the carriage as Drayce pulled aside one of the thick curtains that covered the small window on the door to peer out. They’d climbed into the carriage just as the sun was peeking over the horizon and had been warned by the driver that the trip would take all day, assuming the weather remained clear. Due to the narrowness of the road, there were few opportunities for stopping and stretching their legs, and there would only be one short break for an afternoon meal.
“Whoa! The clouds finally broke,” Drayce exclaimed. “I can see the mountain peak. It’s covered in snow.”
Caelan leaned forward and gazed out the window with his friend. “Considering how high we are, I’m sure the snow is there all year round.”
“You think they have to worry about avalanches?”