Page 73 of The Prince's Sacrifice

Tor had a way of making things casual, but the High King was the High King.

“As you probably saw when we arrived, there are plenty of taverns,” Tor told them. “If it looks shady, it probably is.” He eyed Beluna. “But I have the feeling you could probably fleece someone at cards.”

She grinned wide and winked.

“I think they’ll be fine,” Pel said with amusement.

It was a nice way to leave, though the light mood didn’t last. Pel tried to concentrate on the city. His family had ridden to both the naming ceremony and the coronation of High King Varex. (Pel had been the one to stay home while the others went to High King Varex’s wedding.)

Pel hadn’t spent time near the wharf, nor had he just walked through the city with no guards. They’d gone straight to the castle and stayed there. This felt so very different. He reminded himself that he’d regularly visited his people in Baless and the surrounding villages in Tond. That didn’t seem to help. He couldn’t decide if it was simply because Nexa was so much bigger than Baless or because these weren’t his people. Maybe it was just that he was unfamiliar with it, and that would come with time. (Would therebetime? Was Pel really going to get to stay here with Tor? His stomach swooped like the butterflies were practicing advanced flying maneuvers.)

People were everywhere, even more than last night, still bustling about on their own business. Or maybe they weren’t bothering the two of them because Tor was striding along like he was a man with a mission. Pel had to scurry along at his side.

When Tor realized Pel was having trouble keeping up, he slowed his pace.

“Sorry,” he said, trying to smile and failing miserably.

“It’s fine,” Pel told him. “Clearly, I was hoping for the hurried, silent tour of your city.”

Tor’s lips tipped up in a genuine smile now, his face relaxing. “Oh, I’m sorry, were you hoping that I’d actually behelpfulthe first time we were heading to my castle? Is that how you think this relationship works?”

Pel could do nothing but grin at the other man, hopelessly, helplessly charmed, because Tor had just turned the worst meeting ever into a shared joke.

“Do you think we’d make a good impression on your brother if I arrived several hours after you because you wouldn’t give me directions to the castle?”

“I doubt he’d be surprised,” Tor admitted with almost the right note of humor, “but it might not be the behavior I’m trying to emphasize.”

“Oh, we’re trying to show your brother how you’renotan ass? I’m not sure I can help with that.”

Tor pouted.

Pel winked. “I happen to like your ass rather a lot.”

Tor chortled. “Oh, make sure to tell my brother that. I would pay to see it.”

“Does your brother have a sense of humor?” Pel asked curiously.

Tor was silent a little too long. “He used to. I’m not altogether certain if it’s gone entirely or if it’s just been buried under miles of… of royalty and marriage and a belief that he has to beproperto be King. I guess he was always a bit more serious than me, but we used to get up to such fun together.” Tor’s gaze softened. “We laughed about everything back then.” His eyes refocused and his face went hard. “And now, nothing is funny and everything I do is wrong.”

With a lurch to his stomach, Pel remembered that moment when he was sixteen and his father had named him Pelun,identifying his weak magic with such a look of disgust that Pel had known the man didn’t love Pel anymore. He prayed the connection between Tor and his brother was stronger than that, that it was just a bit tarnished, not warped beyond repair.

And then they rounded a corner, and Pel pointed.

“Oh, I see the castle now. You can’t lead me astray.”

“My evil plan, foiled,” Tor said with theatrical sadness. “Actually, I have a secret to show you instead.”

“Oh?” Pel perked up. “Does it involve making me cover my eyes and count to twenty? Because I’m not going to fall for that.”

Tor grinned. “Good to know. If you’re ever trying to sneak into the castle, this is the best way to do it.”

Pel couldn’t imagine a scenario where he’d need to know that—but he was totally curious. He hadnotbeen invited to sneak anywhere on any of his previous visits.

Alossa’s royal castle was walled, with a tall tower at each corner. There were guards at the entrance, but the huge double doors were currently open, and no one was being subjected to too much scrutiny. People were allowed in to make deliveries, speak to the guards, or request an audience with the High King.

Inside the wall, the barracks and training grounds were to the left. The stable was to the right. Straight ahead was the heavily guarded entrance to the castle itself.

“Staff door on the left side,” Tor pointed out. “The entrance to the garden is also over there. Guarded, of course.”