House of Blood and Beasts

37. Sharing Theories

The artwork above is not mine.

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    Ruhn crossed his arms with an impatient sigh, waiting for his father to acknowledge him. The Autumn King was studying his model planets once more, occasionally turning to a desk and writing down a few notes. He'd permitted Ruhn entrance, but hadn't spoken to him since. Why should he? His work was more important. It always had been.

    "There have been rumors that you're still in contact with that Wolf," the Autumn King said at last. "I've summoned you to make sure we both know where your loyalties lie."

    "My loyalties?" Ruhn bit out, barely suppressing a growl.

    "I've turned a blind eye to your numerous dalliances in the past, but I'm told there might be something more going on this time. That this is not just a dalliance. You are Crown Prince of the Valbaran Fae and Heir to the Starborn Fae. Whatever you think you and that Wolf have, know that it will not last. She can never be your wife, nor would I permit her to be."

    "I thought you wanted me to have an heir. Surely you don't care who that happens with, so long as it happens," Ruhn spat.

    "Any child you have with that bitch will be a bastard. Any child you have out of wedlock will be a bastard. Any child you have without my permission will be a bastard. They will be worthless and forgotten before they're even a day old."

    Ruhn bristled at the insults. He was going to tear his father's tongue out and shove it down his throat. That would teach him to insult Sarai. But...no. That was exactly what the Autumn King wanted. He wanted Ruhn to slip up. To prove that the rumors were true and he and Sarai were together. He couldn't jeopardize Sarai, no matter how much it grated on his instincts to keep his mouth shut.

    "That's not what you said about Bryce. Not at first, anyway," Ruhn growled.

    "And then I was told that she was powerless and would never amount to anything." Einar Danaan's gaze shifted to him. "Sometimes I wish I'd been told the same about you." Ruhn swallowed hard, struggling to keep himself in check. "Break off all ties to that Wolf, Boy. If you don't..." He picked up something off his desk.

    Ruhn's mouth ran dry as the Autumn King rotated the bullet between his thumb and forefinger. He recognized it within seconds. It was a gorsian bullet, capable of nullifying magic, and deadly to all Vanir. "You can't kill a Wolf based on mere rumors," Ruhn said. "Sabine would never let you get away with it."

    "Sabine Fendyr won't bat an eyelash. Not for Sarai Ilerion."

    "She won't forgive you for killing a single Wolf, no matter who they are."

    There was a ghost of a smile upon the Autumn King's lips. "Then it's a good thing I won't be the one who pulls the trigger." He turned back to his planets. "I've played this game for a long time. Longer than even Sabine Fendyr. I know how to remove a problem without incriminating myself. You would be wise to remember that."

    Ruhn stiffened, picking up the hint of a threat in his father's voice. He spun on his heel and left without replying. If his father thought he would give up Sarai because of a few threats, he was sorely mistaken. But, I will be careful, Ruhn thought. The last thing either of us needs is for the other to wind up dead.

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    "Ow, ow, fuck!" Sarai squealed as Nathalie yanked on her hair.

    "Hold still. You've got so many knots in here that you're lucky I don't just shave it off," Nathalie grunted. She stuck her tongue out the corner of her mouth as she worked another tangled knot out of Sarai's hair. "How did you even manage this?"