*I didn't sign up for this...Bullshit* He thought.
Staring down at tax reports, patrol schedules and reconstruction requests.
His hands still ached. The burns beneath fresh bandages throbbed with each movement. But he forced himself to review and sign.
Earlier i told Lyra I'd attend council this afternoon. They claim it's about what happened at the capital.
He stared at the unsigned documents. His eyes dull and still tired.
Do I really need to sit through hours of political posturing? While my body's still broken? While I'm still planning how to root out the snakes in my house?
KNOCK KNOCK
A firm rap at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Enter."
A middle-aged guard rushed in. He looked nervous and immediately he entered, his knees were on the ground beside the desk.
"Your Highness. The council has gathered in the hall. They await your presence."
Auryn looked at him. Eyes that plunged pressure into the heart of the guard for no reason.
He thought about walking down there. Sitting through debates. Watching Marten and Godfrey. The corrupt advisor and steward—pretend loyalty while plotting with Vaedon.
No. The realization hit him like it was always waiting in there.
I don't have to go. They don't get to summon me. I summon THEM.
His hands left his desk and he turned fully. Facing the guard.
"Tell them no." He spoke coldly. His voice not missing a beat.
The guard blinked. "Your... Highness?"
"I'm not attending. The meeting is postponed." He retorted with no shred of care in his eyes.
"But they've already gathered—"
"Then they can leave." Auryn's voice was level, cold and absolute.
"Tell them I'll call council when I'm ready. Not before."
The guard's face paled. He saw the absolution in his eyes and his aura.
"Yes, Your Highness."
He bowed quickly and left.
Auryn faced the desk again.
I told Lyra I'd go. But I don't answer to her either. This is MY province. Aurelia answers to ME.
He focused his attention on the parchment again.
He knew the old Auryn would have gone and in reality that would've been the best direction for him. To prevent too many prying eyes.
Even though it was ideal he still decided against it. No matter how he looked at it, there was one truth. He wasn't just Auryn anymore.
I decide and choose what happens in my territory. They'll have to deal with it.
A slow smile crossed his face. This was the first time he'd outright rejected them and he didn't really know if it was Julien or Auryn's instincts that had this feeling.
It just felt good.
---
The council chamber fell silent when the guard returned. Six councilors sat around the table. Marten at the head. Godfrey to his right. Four others—the two advisors, the chief guard and a merchant that missed the previous meeting.
All waiting.
"Well?" Marten's voice was sharp and impatient. "Where is he?"
The guard swallowed. "His Highness... declines to attend."
Silence hugged the room. Their eyes switching between one another.
"Declines?" Lord Wren leaned forward. Disbelief in his voice. "What do you mean declines?"
"He said the meeting is postponed. He'll call council when he's ready." The guard spoke.
Marten's face darkened. "That's absurd. We've already gathered. We traveled here. He can't simply—"
"He said you can leave." The guard's voice was barely above a whisper. "If you wish."
The advisors blinked. Eyes widened in surprise. It seemed like their eyes were listening in place of their ears.
Godfrey shifted uncomfortably. Marten stood. Chair scraping loud against stone.
"This is unacceptable. The Third Prince has responsibilities. Territory matters demand—"
"His Highness was quite clear, Lord Marten." The guard finally found his spine. This was his chance to have one over these nobles.
"He will call council when he's ready."
Marten's jaw tightened. He was enraged because this was unexpected. He didn't think Auryn would do this again after waving them off at the capital previously.
He said nothing more. Because what could he say? The prince had refused. Postponed. Asserted his authority and they had no recourse.
"Fine." Marten's voice was cold. "We'll wait for his summons."
He gathered his papers. Stormed from the chamber but not before saying.
"Extend my greetings to his Highness."
Godfrey followed. Then the others. The guard watched them go. There was only one thought on his mind.
His Highness has changed.
---
The wooden door in Auryn's chambers creaked open. Borin entered without knocking.
A wide and approving grin on his face.
"Heard you told them to piss off."
"I told them to wait, till I'm ready." Auryn retorted rolling his eyes.
"Same thing." Borin sat heavily. The chair creaked. His voice turned playful.
"Marten looked ready to burst a vein when he left."
"Good."
Borin's grin widened. "You've indeed changed, lad. Whatever the poison did up there. I like it."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Auryn suddenly turned to him. Eyes sharp and demanding.
Borin chuckled.
"The old you would have been dragged down there. Let them push you around for hours."
Auryn met his eyes.
"Before the assassination, I let them."
"Not anymore."
"That's more like it." Borin leaned forward. His expression shifted. He was a lot more serious now.
"Been meaning to tell you something, lad."
"About?"
"The Rusty Colt. That tavern the guard mentioned."
Auryn's attention sharpened. The guard had confessed the tavern's name before dying. Right in front of him.
"You investigated?"
"Aye. While you were gone." Borin pulled out a worn brown ledger.
"Went there the day after you left for the ruins. Figured someone should."
He set it on the desk.
"Tavern owner fled. Heard about the guard's death and ran. Smart bastard knew someone would come asking questions."
Borin opened the ledger. "But he left this behind. Hidden under a loose floorboard in his office."
Auryn took it. Flipped through pages. There were transactions, dates, payments. Items listed in code.
Then one entry caught his eye:
"Three weeks prior - Payment received: 30 gold
Client: L.C.
Item: D.S.V. (3 vials)
Delivery: Castle guard - Auryn's household"
"D.S.V.," Auryn said quietly.
"Dark Sapphire Venom." Borin's voice was flat. "Dragon-killer poison. Same stuff the healers found in your system."
"L.C.?"
"Lord Castor."
The name reverberated across the room only stopping at the edge of silence.
Auryn stared at the entry. His hands tightened on the ledger.
Lord Castor. Vaedon's proxy. The same bastard who showed up at the capital council demanding I surrender my territory.
"So Castor paid for the poison," Auryn said slowly. "Arranged delivery to my guard."
"Aye."
"And Castor works for Vaedon."
"Everyone knows it." Borin's expression was grim. "Can't prove Vaedon ordered it directly. But Castor doesn't breathe without Vaedon's say-so."
Auryn set the ledger down carefully. Like it might explode.
*Vaedon tried to kill me.*
*When that failed, he moved to political pressure. Demanding my territory through council votes.*
*Everything connects.*
"There's more," Borin said. He pulled out another parchment. The ink looked more recent and fresh.
"Been watching the council. Like you asked before you left." Borin's voice hardened. "Marten's been sending ravens. Three yesterday alone."
"That's a lot. Where?"
"East. Toward Vaedon's holdings." Borin leaned forward. "Had one of my lads follow them discreetly. They landed at Lord Castor's estate."
Auryn's jaw tightened.
*Marten. My councilor. Reporting directly to the man who bought the poison that nearly killed me.*
He knew they were traitors but he didn't know it was this deep.
"So Marten's working for them," Auryn said. The answer was obvious but he asked perfunctorily.
"Looks that way." Borin paused. "Could be more. Can't say for certain yet."
Auryn thought of the council meeting. The auras he'd seen with Author's Eyes. Marten's was crimson. Hostile intent. Committed traitor.
Godfrey was pale silver with crimson veins. Conflicted. Recently turned.
At least two. Maybe more I haven't identified.
"What do you want to do?" Borin asked.
Auryn looked at the ledger. At the parchment tracking raven flights.
"Bring me more evidence. Threads that lead back to Vaedon."
"Can't just arrest Marten," Auryn said slowly. "One ledger and some ravens? He'll deny everything. Claim coincidence."
"Aye. Need more."
"So we give him rope." Auryn's voice was cold and measured. "Let him think he's safe. Set traps. Make him expose himself fully. When he does—"
He touched the ledger. His eyes gleamed.
"—we'll have everything we need."
Borin grinned. He was loving this.
"Now that's smart, lad."
"How long until you can track more of his communications?" Auryn asked.
"Give me three days. I'll know everyone he talks to and everything he sends."
"Do it. Quietly." His voice carried urgency.
"Aye." Borin stood. He walked towards the door before he paused.
"That council you refused today? They'll be angry."
"Good. Anger makes people careless."
Borin's grin widened even more.
"You've learned well."
He left. Whistling under his breath.
---
Auryn sat alone with the ledger. His fingers playing with the worn cover as his mind went through the variables.
*So that snake Vaedon used Castor to get poison and tested it with my life while implanting idiots in my court.*
He smirked.
*They'll know I'm nothing like my predecessor. Just you wait bastards... I'll weed you all out, one after the other.*
He stood from his desk. Walked to the window. Below, the training yard was empty in the afternoon light.
But first...
He looked at his palms. Then at the yard.
I need to understand this body's power.
The window reflected his face. Dual-colored eyes. Silver hair. A body built for magic he'd barely touched.
He turned from the window. The ledger and conspiracy could wait.
Power Couldn't. He flexed his fingers.
And he needed power.