Caspian rights himself, smoothing his jacket. “Let me lay out the facts, Farron. Your realm is on the brink of war, and Keldarion is to blame. Despite my delight in seeing Kel in as much misery as possible, I can’t stand to see the four of you knocking your heads together and nary being able to come up with a thought.”
“Hey, I’m here too,” Rosie snaps, crossing her arms.
“Apologies.” Caspian smiles. “Trust me, I used to be the little mascot to this group of empty-headed princelings, just as you are now. The stupidity is, unfortunately, contagious.”
Rosalina blinks, unsure if she’s been insulted or not. But before she can retort, Caspian strides up to me and straightens my collar. “You say there’s no way to help your realm as you are now. Let me show you, Farron, that sometimes monsters are the best heroes.”
He leans in close, pulling hard on my jacket, until his lips are right by my ear. His breath is hot on my skin, causing a rush of warmth up my neck and to my cheeks. “Because we already know that heroes are the best monsters, aren’t they? The other princes have shown us that. You’re not like them. You can still be saved. And maybe then,” his dark eyes flick to Rosalina, “the coward could finally deserve a queen.”
He pulls back and grins so beautifully and so wickedly, it’s like a crack of lightning.
“I don’t like this,” Dayton grumbles. “He shouldn’t be here.”
“What are the terms of your bargain?” I ask.
Everyone shouts out cries of protest, but I say louder, harsher: “What are the terms of your bargain?”
Perhaps it’s my imagination, but the room seems to darken, the candles flickering on the table. My vision tunnels until all I can see is Caspian, silhouetted by his thorns. “The bargain is so, Farron, High Prince of Autumn.” His voice is a hypnotic melody, wrapping around me in echoes and whispers. “I will conjure a spell on you, one of thorn and shackles, that will confine your beast. Though you will still turn each night, this spell will ensure you remain… under control.”
“I’ll continue to shift?” I ask.
“Yes, but you will not have to worry about running through the halls as a mad beast or accidentally hurting someone you love.” Caspian gives a pointed look down at Rosalina’s leg, then up to Dayton’s face. “Until the bargain is broken, of course.”
“I really don’t like this,” Dayton says. “Come on, Ez, let’s kick him out of here—”
“Farron is High Prince of Autumn,” Ezryn says, voice a low timbre. “It is his decision alone to do what is best for his realm.”
“What?” Dayton laces his hands through his hair. “Someone back me up. Kel?”
But Keldarion stands dazed, staring at Caspian with a mix of disgust and reverence.
If this bargain works, I think, I could return to Autumn without fear of hurting my family or my people. I could remain hidden at night and not worry about breaking out or losing control of myself during the day. I might be able to be the High Prince for once.
“If this is a bargain,” Rosalina says, “what do you want in return?”
Caspian throws a casual arm around her shoulders. “In exchange, I would like you all to attend my birthday party.”
Now it’s my turn to join the collective gasp.
Dayton slams his foot down. “Is this some sick joke? Why the fuck would you want us there?”
“To trap us in the Below.” Ezryn prowls toward him. “We are not fools, Caspian.”
“No, but you’re certainly paranoid,” Caspian says without missing a beat. “You know I love a good festivity. I’m hosting a grand celebration for my Revelry Day in two full moons time down in the pleasureyard of Cryptgarden. I simply want the satisfaction of forcing you there.” He touches his chest. “Trust me.”
Keldarion walks over and yanks Caspian’s hand off Rosalina. “Your birthday isn’t on the full moon.”
A flush seems to appear on Caspian’s cheeks. “Well, that’s when I’m hosting my party.”
“We can’t go to the Below,” I say. “Our magic has no connection there.”
Caspian clicks his tongue and pulls a tiny seed out of his front pocket. He flicks it to me, and I fumble, barely catching it. The small, purple oval is smooth to the touch.
“Plant this and a portal shall sprout for you and remain open for twelve hours. I recommend somewhere where no poor souls will accidentally come across it. It grows best in soil touched by tragedy.” Caspian raises a brow. “Perhaps your old library would do.”
Shame and anger flow through me, and I hold the seed between my fingers, ready to crush it.
I can’t make a deal with Caspian. He betrayed Kel. He’s sapping the magic from Castletree. He’s a villain.
And he’s the only way I’ll ever be able to save my home and make sure what happened to the old library never happens again.
“This bargain includes everyone.” I take turns staring each of my family members in the eye. “Will you come to Cryptgarden with me?”
Ezryn grinds his fists together. “It doesn’t make sense. Why would the traitor want us there?”
Caspian opens his mouth to respond, but Rosalina interrupts him, giving him a dead-pan stare. “I think it’s because he doesn’t have any real friends.” She takes my hand. “Trust your heart, Farron. If this is what you need to do for your people, I’ll stand beside you.” Then she flings a nasty look over her shoulder. “Even if it means attending a boring birthday party.”
“Oh, trust me, Flower,” Caspian purrs. “My parties are anything but boring.”
Dayton looks up at the ceiling and gives an audible exhale. “Same as Rosie. I’m with you, Fare.” He storms over to Caspian and pokes his chest. “But if anything seems fishy, I’ll use that seed to go straight to the Below and cut off your pretty head.”
Caspian rubs his chest. “Dayton, dear, I could teach you a thing or two about pretty head.”
Now, it’s Dayton’s turn to blush.
Rosalina turns to Kel and Ezryn. “What about you two?” I ask.
Kel’s gaze is a hailstorm driving into me. “Are you sure about this, Farron?”
I’m not sure about anything except that I can’t do this alone. “Yes. I’m sure.”
Kel’s eyes close and his face softens in an expression akin to grief. He flicks one eye open and looks toward Ezryn. “I’m not going without you.” His voice lowers a pitch. “I made that mistake last time.”
Moment after moment passes as Ezryn stands eerily still. And then he says, “If this is the will of the High Prince of Autumn, then I will stand with you.”
The air feels thick with anticipation, and I stumble as Caspian drags me away from the others. Rosalina reaches for me, and Dayton entwines his fingers in hers.
Caspian holds out his hand and I stare at it, knowing the fate of my realm lies in a deal with darkness incarnate. “Do we have a bargain?” he asks.
I pocket the seed, then take his hand. A cold wind rushes up from our connection, blowing my hair back as the bargain’s magic springs into existence. “We have a bargain,” I say.
Caspian throws his head back and laughs, the dark sound coming from every corner of the room. “I always knew I’d get my hands on you sometime,” he drawls. In a flash, he grabs my throat.
Dayton steps forward but I wave him back, holding steady. Caspian plucks two thin thorns from one of the brambles on the floor. They wriggle out, one lacing around my neck like a choker, the other doing the same around his.
When he pulls away, I claw at the binding. The sharp barbs poke just light enough not to break through my skin, but tight enough I can’t rip it off.
“I thought all bargains were tattoos,” Rosalina says softly from the side.
“Sometimes,” Kel responds. “Bargains are bindings, so it can be anything circular. Tattoos are often used for long-term agreements.”
“But with you five geniuses, I don’t think it will take you too long to figure out this little frost debacle,” Caspian says mockingly. “I’m sure our bargain will be over before you know it.”
26
Rosalina
Dayton holds my hand so tight, I’m surprised my fingers aren’t broken. He clenches his jaw, and a bead of sweat runs down his brow. He hates this.
But there’s one person who hates it more. Keldarion looks in control on the outside, unfazed. But I can feel the caged beast of his rage blooming in my veins.