underneath the semisentient coat, monstrous strength, and shadowy past, Nico was a girl as well as a demonseed. Her relationship with Josef might be a nebulous, nameless sort of thing, but hearing that the man she trusted more than anything in the world, the man she followed with unquestioning loyalty, was married, had been married for a year, and never even thought to mention it… well, that had to sting, and Nico didn’t exactly talk about her problems.
“I’m sure she’s fine,” Eli said, glancing at Josef and then pointedly flicking his eyes to the guards and the servant hovering behind him.
That, at least, Josef got. “Get out,” he growled.
“But, my lord,” said the guard at his left. “Your lady mother was very specific—”
“Where do you think I’m going to run?” Josef said. “This cell is the same as the one you just let me out of. I need to talk to my friend in private, so shove off. Now.”
The guards backed off as one, bowing their way out the door. The servant, however, stayed, heated towel ready. Josef stared at him a moment, and then grabbed the man’s shoulder. The servant made a sort of squeaking sound as Josef shoved him into the hall, closing the heavy door in his face.
“I can see why you had problems being a prince,” Eli said, leaning on the washstand. “Not exactly the genteel epitome of magnanimity and tact, are you?”
“Shut up,” Josef said, but there was no venom in it. He walked across the room and sat down on Eli’s bed, putting his head in his hands with a deep breath. “I can’t believe she’d leave without telling me.”
“She didn’t leave, Josef,” Eli said with a long sigh. “She probably just needs some time to work things through. It’s been a pretty dramatic week.”
“But she’s never done that before,” Josef said. “Vanished like that, in front of everyone.” He glanced up. “You’re the wizard. You would have heard if something happened to her, right? With the demon?”
Eli watched the swordsman with new interest. This wasn’t just bullheaded tactlessness. Josef was really worried. It was rather touching, actually.
“The whole castle would have heard if something had happened between Nico and her demon,” he said gently. “The fact that we were able to sleep last night is proof that she’s fine. She’s probably hiding somewhere, waiting for us to follow the plan and get out. My biggest worry is how we’re going to let her know the plan’s toast. Assuming, of course, you haven’t changed your mind since last night.”
“No,” Josef said, shaking his head. “I can’t leave. I told you that.”
“So you did,” Eli said, exasperated. “But you couldn’t have picked a worse place to have this fit of conscience. We’re wanted criminals, remember? The longer we stay, the more likely it is that someone’s going to put the pieces together and come after us, if they haven’t already. Staying doesn’t help anyone—not us, not Nico, and not your mother. You did your duty by showing up, so let’s cut our losses, find Nico, and get out of here before things get worse.”
Eli finished with a sinking feeling. Josef’s head was down, his hands clasped behind his neck. When he spoke at last, his voice was very calm and very, very serious.
“Eli,” he said. “I’m only going to say this once.” He looked up, and his eyes were the eyes of a swordsman who has bet his life on his next stroke. “I may be in disgrace, but Queen Theresa is still my queen, and she’s still my mother. I let her down before, and if staying here long enough to give her an heir is all she wants from me to make things right, then that’s what I’m going to do. End of discussion.”
Eli loomed over him, his mouth pressed in a tight, flat line. Josef glared right back, hands on his swords. Finally, Eli’s shoulders slumped, and he flopped back against the washstand with an enormous huff.
“All right, all right,” he said. “You win. When are you going to tell the queen your decision?”
“Right now,” Josef said, standing up. “And you’re coming with me.”
“Wait,” Eli said, holding up his hands. “Wait, wait, wait. Unless you’re planning to steal that lovely set of antique tapestries she has above her fireplace, I don’t have anything to do with this. For the next few weeks at least, you’re the crown prince of Osera. I’m still the most wanted criminal in the Council. I don’t care how forgiving your dear mother is, it’s not exactly a winning match. Actually, it would probably be better for all involved if I lit out for a while. Go steal something and get my mind off things until you’re done being a good husband.”
Josef shook his head. “You have to be here.”
“Why?” Eli said, truly mystified.
Josef looked away. Eli pursed his lips thoughtfully. If he didn’t know better, he’d have said the swordsman looked sheepish.
“Being prince means I have to go to court,” Josef said at last. “Court means politics and a lot of talking to people who can’t be insulted. I’m not really—” He stopped and took a deep breath. “You’re the one who’s good with that kind of thing, all right? You have to stay.”
“Josef,” Eli said with a growing smile. “Could it be? Are you asking me for help?”
Josef glowered at him. “Not if you’re going to say it like that.”
“No, no, no,” Eli said, placing his hands on his chest. “I’m flattered. I would be delighted to be your adviser.”
“Good,” Josef said, nodding. “That’s settled, then.”
“Of course,” Eli added, raising one long finger. “You’d have to say what I told you to say, exactly as I told you to say it.”
Josef grimaced, and Eli shook his head. “That’s the only way it works. You can tell me to stay all you want, but if you’re not going to listen to my advice, I’m not going to waste my breath giving it.”
“Fine,” Josef grumbled. “Just don’t get carried away.”
Eli flipped the edges of his golden wig. “When have I ever gotten carried away?”
Josef rolled his eyes and didn’t answer.
“Now,” Eli said. “Let’s get started. Normally, I’d say we should put off seeing the queen. Let her sweat a bit. However, seeing as she’s your mother, sweating would probably only make her more stubborn, so we’re going to go see her immediately. When we arrive, you’re going to tell her that you’re staying and doing your part as a dutiful prince, but only if you get to keep your friends with you, and as soon as a pregnancy is confirmed, you’re leaving. Also, you want full freedom of movement and all royal privileges for you and your entourage, meaning myself and Nico.” He shot Josef a smile. “No reason we can’t have a little fun while we’re stuck here. Does that sound fair?”
Josef rubbed his chin. “I guess it does.”
“Excellent,” Eli said. “I’ll need a full rundown on Osera’s political situation before we do any more politicking than that, but hopefully we won’t have to. If war’s truly coming, Osera has bigger problems than us. All we need to do is keep our noses down, keep you in bed with your wife, and we’ll be out of here in two months. Tops.”
Josef winced. “I’m not a stud bull, you know.”
“You are now,” Eli said cheerfully, walking to the door. He opened it to find Josef’s guards, his overzealous manservant, and Eli’s own Stefan (now with a breakfast trolley instead of the shaving tray) standing in the hallway, whispering together. They all jumped when they saw Eli, but came when he beckoned, tiptoeing into the room as meekly as they could.
“So sorry about earlier,” Eli said, clapping Josef’s servant on the shoulders. “The prince had a bit of a bad night, but food will set everything to rights. Now,” he said, pushing the man toward Josef, “if you would be so kind as to make your prince presentable, we’ll see the queen as soon as she’s ready.”
Both servants cheered up immensely once they were free to do their jobs. Eli stepped aside to let Josef sit down at the washstand as both servants moved in and began cleaning him up. The swordsman sat glumly, letting them lather his chin and comb his hair. Meanwhile, Eli helped himself to a cup of tea, a plate of ham, and several scones from the breakfast tray before flopping down on the bed to watch the show. When Stefan asked if he would like a shave as well, Eli politely declined.
“It took me weeks to grow what I have,” he said, rubbing his fingers over the sparse beard on his chin. “I’m not quite ready to sacrifice it yet. Besides,” he nodded at Josef, who was gripping his swords as the manservant deftly ran the razor over his taut neck. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Josef shot Eli a murderous look. Eli answered with a wide smile as he shoved another slice of ham into his mouth.
When he was shaved and clean, Josef sent the servants running with a growl before joining Eli at the breakfast tray. He ate five slabs of ham in rapid succession and then stepped away.
