The Assassin and the Prince. Heir of Fire AU

2

Chapter 2
Aedion POV

When he entered the dinning hall last night a familiar scent hit him. Jasmine. and Lemon verbena. But he couldn't place it. However it sent his teeth on edge because he gave him a pang of home. There was no reason for him to feel that way. Especially in the strong hold of his biggest enemies.

The meeting with the king was uneventful. He expected more wit from the king. But the conversation with Dorian and Chaol delighted him.

Aedion had heard about Ardalan's assassin. But when reports came through of when she got captured and it turned out she was an 16 year old girl. He had immediately wanted to meet her. Now he would get the chance. Maybe he could even get her to spare with him. Hopefully she'd be a worthy opponent

He's dwell more on it later.  Now off to bother the young Crown Prince before their meetings today.

Dorian POV
He found his father watching him, the morning sun through the curved wall of glass making every scar and nick on the king's face even more gruesome. "You're to entertain Aedion Ashryver today."

Dorian kept his composure as best he could. "Dare I ask why?"

"Since General Ashryver failed to bring his men here, it appears he has some spare time while awaiting the Bane's arrival. It would be beneficial to you both to become better acquainted—especially when your choice of friends of late has been so ... common."

The cold fury of his magic clawed its way up his spine. "With all due respect, Father, I have two meetings to prepare for, and—"

"It's not open for debate." His father kept eating. "General Ashryver has been notified, and you will meet him outside your chambers at noon. Then you both will attend this afternoons meeting."

Dorian knew he should keep quiet, but he found himself asking, "Why do you tolerate Aedion? Why keep him alive—why make him a general?"

He'd been unable to stop wondering about it since the man's arrival.

His father gave a small, knowing smile. "Because Aedion's rage is a useful blade, and he is capable of keeping his people in line. He will not risk their slaughter, not when he has lost so much. He has quelled many a would-be rebellion in the North from that fear, for he is well aware that it would be his own people—the civilians—who suffered first."

He shared blood with a man this cruel. But Dorian said, "It's still surprising that you'd keep a general almost as a captive—as little more than a slave. Controlling him through fear alone seems potentially dangerous."

Indeed, he wondered if his father had told Aedion about Celaena's almost mission to Wendlyn—homeland of Aedion's royal bloodline, where Aedion's cousins the Ashryvers still ruled. Though Aedion trumpeted about his various victories over rebels and acted like he practically owned half the empire himself ... How much did Aedion remember of his kin across the sea?

His father said, "I have my ways of leashing Aedion should I need to. For now, his brazen irreverence amuses me"His father jerked his chin toward the door. "I will not be amused, however, if you miss your appointment with him today."
And just like that, his father fed him to the Wolf."

Aedion had shoved him into a thorn bush. On their walk through the gardens. But they spoke only when Aedion paused by a fountain and braced his scarred hands on his hips, assessing the garden beyond as though it were a battlefield. Aedion smirked at the six guards lurking behind, his eyes bright—so bright, Dorian thought, and so strangely familiar as the general said, "A prince needs an escort in his own palace? I'm insulted they didn't send more guards to protect you from me."

"You think you could take six men?"

The Wolf had let out a low chuckle and shrugged, the scarred hilt of the Sword of Orynth catching the near-blinding sunlight. "I don't think I should tell you, in case your father ever decides my usefulness is not worth my temperament."

Some of the guards behind them murmured, but Dorian said, "Probably not."

And that was it—that was all Aedion said to him for the rest of the cold, miserable walk. Until the general gave him an edged smile and said, "Better get that looked at." That was when Dorian realized his right hand was still bleeding. Aedion just turned away. "Thanks for the walk, Prince," the general said over his shoulder, and it felt more like a threat than anything. "Meet you in a few at the meeting."

Aedion didn't act without a reason. Perhaps the general had convinced his father to force this excursion. But for what purpose, Dorian couldn't grasp. Unless Aedion merely wanted to get a feel for what sort of man Dorian had become and how well Dorian could play the game. He wouldn't put it past the warrior to have done it just to assess a potential ally or threat—Aedion, for all his arrogance, had a cunning mind. He probably viewed court life as another sort of battlefield.

Something about Aedion was too familiar..

Dorian headed to the healers compound before going to the meeting.

Chaol POV

He'd been called into the Kings chambers only for the king to inform him that the Kings Champion had to be at the afternoon's meeting.

Which led him to Celaenas chambers... He hadn't been here since that night she killed Archer. He knocked on the door before he heard a muffled "come in." Before he would have just walked in. But he breached that trust. Chaol wouldn't put it past her to throw knives or any weapon at him.

"You're needed at the meeting today."

She nodded without looking up at him. She was pouring over books. Researching. What. Chaol didn't know. Didn't think he should know. But he asked anyway.

"What are you researching?" Taking a step toward the table. When Celaena didn't shout at him to leave he took a chance to sit down. They were closer last night but the room was filled with people. He could almost smell the tonic she used in her hair. This being the closest to her since Archer was killed.

Looking up at him finally. She asked." Do you know what this meeting will be about?"

"No. But you should prepare yourself. Aedion Ashryver will be there. Do not loose your temper with him." He could help but scold her to remind her of her place.

"Trust me. Loosing my temper with Aedion is the last thing you'll have to worry about. Now leave. I'm busy." She waved him away but the ring he'd given her was still on her finger.

He hated how much hope it gave him.

Authors note.
I posted the first chapter of my high school au!! I hope you guys go over there and read it!

Excerpt From
Heir of Fire
Sarah J. Maas
https://books.apple.com/us/book/heir-of-fire/id1488792272
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