Before her two grand-apprentices could come to blows, Amara cut in, “This is not the time for us to fight among ourselves. With the increased scrutiny on the Order, we cannot afford it. We must present a united front.”
The tension around Castien dissipated as he turned to her. “I agree, Master Amara,” he said, dismissing Zaid with a derisive glance.
Zaid’s jaw tightened.
Amara looked away from him, making a note to herself to monitor that situation. Castien and Zaid had always butted heads when they were boys, like two brothers that were too different to get along, and that hadn’t changed much as they grew up.
“We have a traitor among us,” Castien said, looking every Master in the eye, one by one. “Likely an unclaimed initiate or a member of the servicing department who resents that they have not been chosen by a Master. Though, it could also be a way to divert attention from their identity. That ‘source’ of the article, whoever they are, must be identified as quickly as possible. If they were willing to gossip about me and Eridan for financial gain, there is no stopping them from betraying all secrets of the Order next time.”
Unease filled the room.
“Look for people who were not in Hronthar after the wedding reception,” Castien said. “Weed out those who had a valid reason to be out and have little reason to resent Eridan. Get me the names. I will handle the rest.”
Amara shivered. She had little doubt how Castien was going to handle it. Castien had always been less than merciful to those he perceived as traitors.
“How can you be sure Eridan was the target, and not you?” Amara said.
Castien’s gaze traveled over the Chapter members, sharp and penetrating. “My enemies are not stupid enough to think an article like that would do anything to me. Eridan is the one the article was aimed to hurt, and the one whose social standing will be affected. When you look for potential suspects, pay closer attention to the initiates who have had conflicts with Eridan in the past.” He glanced at his watch and stood up. “You are dismissed. I’m almost late for my appointment.” And he strode out of the chamber as the Masters bowed.
Amara frowned, troubled.
There was something… off about Castien.
Chapter Twenty-Seven: An Act of Kindness
“He’s late,” Warrehn gritted out, pacing the room.
Eridan looked down at his hands. “He probably had to deal with the fallout of that article.”
His words only made Warrehn scowl. “I’ll sue them for libel.”
“No,” Eridan said. “That would be fruitless, because that gossip blog always phrases things like it isn’t their own opinion and they’re just the messengers. Besides, suing them would only give them more publicity. We should ignore them.”
“But we have to make it known what they wrote about you is bullshit.”
Eridan felt a surge of affection for his brother. Not even once had Warrehn doubted that the article was lying.
“People are going to talk anyway. Let them.”
Warrehn frowned at him. “How are you so calm about it?”
Eridan shrugged with a crooked smile. “Years in the Order made me grow a pretty thick skin. When you’re an apprentice of the Grandmaster, you’re always target of gossip. It isn’t the first time I’ve heard someone insinuate that my Master chose me because I sucked his cock.”
Warrehn flushed, looking deeply uncomfortable. “Eridan…” he said, sounding uncharacteristically hesitant for him. “He didn’t… He didn’t force you to—”
“No. Sucking his cock wasn’t the requirement for making me his apprentice, War,” Eridan said calmly, dropping his gaze. “He preliminarily claimed me when I was still a child.”
Look at him, lying without lying.
Eridan suppressed a twinge of guilt, telling himself that such a little lie of omission didn’t matter. Whatever he and Castien had been to each other, it happened years later. And it was over, anyway. It was over.
“The High Adept is here, Your Majesty,” their AI announced.
Eridan tried not to tense up, aware that Warrehn was watching him carefully.
He took a deep breath. “Could you leave us alone, War?”
“Why?”
“There are things he will not talk about with you in the room. The High Hronthar stuff.”
Warrehn pressed his lips together. “I don’t trust him alone with you.”
Eridan chortled a laugh. “Warrehn, I’ve been alone with him for years. I can handle him. I can handle him far better than you can.”
Warrehn scowled but gave a clipped nod and left the room. Eridan could hear him exchange a few terse words with Castien in the hall. Eridan swallowed, his stomach squirming.
Calm. He could be calm. He could calm and collected. He was a prince. He was—
Castien entered the room.
His heavy black robes and boots were the first thing Eridan saw. He couldn’t help but feel a rush of fondness. It seemed Castien still didn’t like wearing the Grandmaster’s white robes.
Slowly, he dragged his gaze upwards, reinforcing his mental shields as his telepathic mark surged forward hungrily.