Without a pause the barkeep made his way over, wiping out a glass. “Zyacus,” the man mused and nodded toward the end of the bar, away from eavesdroppers. We followed him there. “What brings you into my establishment at this late hour?” His eyes flicked around the room. “And with no guards.”
“I’m not wearing anything that would give away my identity. I came to visit someone.” Zyacus slid over a gold coin. “Visteal, this is Sedrik. Owner of the Pirate and family friend.”
“Visteal,” he drew out my name as if trying to figure out a puzzle. “I’m guessing since rumor has it you’re courting the Delhoon Princess this is the very same. I don’t want to be implicated in anything or lose favor with your father so no trouble, eh?”
“Certainly no trouble,” Zyacus said and slid over another coin. “Will you bring some food to our table?”
“Of course.” He set his glass down and went through a back door.
I led Zyacus over to the table with Taz, who’d somehow gotten another drink. He stood upon seeing us. “You know Zy,” he said with an audible slur, putting a hand on the Prince’s shoulder. “I’m very protective of Vis so you better treat her good, better than good. Splendiferous.” His glossy eyes slid to me and in what he likely thought was a whisper, but was far from it, asked, “Is that a word?”
“It’s a word,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Though it does sound made up, doesn’t it?” Zyacus said, squeezing Taz’s shoulder. “I promise I will treat her splendiferously.”
“Another round!” Taz shouted, then chortled like an idiot. Several patrons in the place raised their glasses with a cheer.
I ground my teeth and sat at the table. Good pixie, the last thing he needs is another round.
Zyacus sat beside me and leaned close. “How long have you two been drinking… ale? I can smell it on your breath.”
I brushed stray hair behind my ear. “Honey mead,” I said, glaring at him. “Taz switched to ale. And we’ve been here—a while. As you may have noticed. It must be nearly midnight.”
“It’s past midnight,” Zyacus murmured but his eyes glittered with amusement. “Do your parents know you’re here?”
I scoffed but then giggled for some odd reason. “Certainly not. Dragon’s fire my father would die if he knew. You have no idea how protective he’s been of me lately.” If he knew he wouldn’t allow me to go back to the Allied Academy.
“The King be training Visteal himself now.” Taz tipped his head back and drained his mug. “She’s got to have improved tenfold. Bet she could crush you like an itty bitty bug.” Taz stared at his thumb and forefinger pressed together as if he were indeed crushing an insect.
Since when does Taz talk like that? The booze? Or… I smiled to myself. He must have been listening to Erwin and the other old man.
Zyacus burst out laughing. “Is that so?”
I smacked him on the chest with the back of my hand. “Don’t laugh like it isn’t possible. Perhaps I’ll see you in the tournament and we’ll find out.”
The Pirate owner, Sedrik brought over a tray of food and a barmaid carried three mugs and set them on the table. “Enjoy your meals.” He looked pointedly at Taz. “Perhaps this is your last drink, eh?”
“Probably a good idea.” Then he loud-whispered. “I gotta have my wits about me to protect my friend.”
Sedrik smiled and walked away shaking his head.
I took a bite of bread. “Zy, you will never guess what happened when I left your castle. But first what did your fath—” I dropped my piece of bread and clutched Zyacus’s shirt. “Your father.” I nodded toward the door. He wasn’t dressed in royal attire but King Enden had arrived.
So much for my presence here being a secret.
Chapter 7
With only two guards in tow King Enden made his way to the bartop.
“Oh horseshit,” Taz hissed nearly spilling his drink. “The king is here.”
Zyacus didn’t appear worried; he was fuming. A long slow breath parted his lips and he stood from the table. “Well, one of those damn guards is a rat.”
King Enden spun around when Sedrik pointed our direction and Enden quickly made his way over. “Outside, the three of you,” he ordered.
I was pretty sure everyone inside the Pirate was too drunk to notice their king had entered. On the way out, my stomach turned and I wasn’t sure if it were the mead or the fact that we’d been caught.
When we stood under the stars, Enden led us to a discreet alleyway. His dark eyes flicked from me to Taz ,then to his son. “I’m not angry,” he said, although he sounded like he might rip someone’s head off. “Visteal, if you’re going to be here I don’t want you at the Thirsty Pirate. As secure as I’d like my kingdom to be, it is not safe for you or my son to be out here unguarded. If anything happened to you, your parents would never forgive me.”
“Father, we’re not in danger.”
Neither of them has seen the Fae prince, I take it. There’s definitely danger.
Enden pinned his son with a hard gaze. “Do you understand how much a group of ruffians could ransom the two of you for? Just think of what could happen if someone captured Visteal. Think of what happened to your mother.”
Zyacus’s mother, a princess of Collweya was captured and sold into slavery as a prostitute. It was lucky for her the first bed she landed in was Enden’s and further still that he married her. “With all respect, King,” I said. “I am a well-trained warrior. Queen Saveena was not.”
“I understand you are quite capable. I’ve met your mother and father, you know. But please come back to the castle.”
“I—I need to get back home. My parents don’t know where I am.”
Enden cursed under his breath. “Now you’re certainly coming back
