“Reward,” Aputi whispered.
His daze broke as the full realization of what Pukak could mean broke through. Dropping the bags of food, Aputi shoved passed Pukak and barreled down the street to his house. Bursting through the front door, Aputi shouted for his mother and Siku, panic twisting in his gut.
His mother appeared at the end of the hall. “He’s gone Aputi.”
Aputi’s knees wavered, forcing him to catch the wall before he fell. “No.”
His mother’s steps quickened, reaching out to hold Aputi up as best she could. Her eyes swam with tears as she clung to him.
“They came for him,” Aputi whispered.
“They showed up while you were gone. Gave me some sekham, said you were the one who told them where to find him. Then they led him away.”
Shock brought Aputi upright. “They what?”
“They told me it was for you, for the man who lived here with me, for the information of Siku’s whereabouts. There was nothing I could do. Oh, Aputi.”
Aputi shook his head, finally giving in to the weakness in his knees and sinking down to the floor. He didn’t need her to tell him it had all been said in front of Siku. How heartbroken he must have been, hearing the guards tell him that Aputi had sold him out for a bag of money. And now he was gone, before Aputi could tell him it wasn’t him, he would never, and that he loved him.
His voice broke. “Siku.”
Aputi was barely aware of the passing of the days as he lay in his bed, refusing to leave. He was hardly aware of the passing of the moon and sun through the skylight overhead, and he couldn’t care. A few times, his mother had called for him from the bottom of the stairs, but he had remained silent. So long as he remained upstairs, where her frail body wouldn’t let her walk, he could hide himself away from everything.
Never had he felt as helpless and heartbroken, not since he’d been forced to watch his father wither away to nothing from a disease no one could stop. Just as he had then, Aputi backed away from it all, sinking down into the misery of his thoughts.
Siku was gone, just as he’d known would happen, but not in the way he’d ever dreamt was possible. Pukak had finally found his revenge, a thought that failed to stir any anger in Aputi. The attempt at revenge had backfired, for the reward for Siku’s location was possibly still sitting on the kitchen table. That too, brought Aputi no emotion, no joy whatsoever.
There’d been so much he wanted to show Siku before their time was up. Aputi had hoped for another night or two, to curl around Siku and hold him close. All his hopes were gone now, whisked away to the castle. He supposed if he wanted, he could climb up to the skylight, sit on the roof, and gaze at the distant castle walls. And despite having laid in his bed for so long, staring up at the ceiling, even that idea sounded depressing.
Soft footfalls came from his doorway, and Aputi looked up, pulled from the black cloud of his thoughts. His mother stood in the doorway. He’d forgotten how tall she really was, especially when she stood tall and strong. It should have warmed his heart to see her standing straight, having climbed the stairs with little trouble.
“You’re not supposed to exert yourself too hard,” he told her softly.
His mother snorted. “And how long are you planning on sitting up here, feeling sorry for yourself?”
Aputi’s lip curled. “I think I have a right to feel sorry for myself, don’t you?”
Ainu made her way to the desk beside his bed, grabbing up a couple of the books and tossing them at him. The first few landed on the bed, but the next couple landed on his chest and stomach. Aputi winced as the first tome hit, and then tried to roll away from the next one.
“What are you doing? Are you nuts?” he protested.
“You’re telling me, in all these books you stole, you can’t find a single solution?”
Aputi shoved the books away in a huff. “These books aren’t going to solve this problem…wait, stole them?”
“You really think I don’t know what you’ve been up to for the past couple of years Aputi? I’ve kept an eye on you your entire life, I know when you’re up to something. But I trust you to do what’s right, and to use your good heart to make decisions.”
“I wouldn’t say I’ve done all that well,” Aputi said, feeling more resigned than relieved that his mother had known the whole time.
Ainu stalked forward, nudging a tome closer to him. “There are laws that can very much be of use to you Aputi. Laws you can use in your favor, old ones that only apply to royalty.”
“How do you even know what’s in these books?”
His mother snorted. “This isn’t my first trip up these stairs to see if you were here Aputi. A woman gets bored cleaning and cooking all day, so I’ve dipped into the books you have. Not the most exciting reading, but if it helps me knock some sense into you, then I’ll take it.”
Aputi looked down at the book she’d pushed toward him with a frown. It was a book that covered the history of various laws, those that had changed with the times, and those that had stayed around. The most longstanding ones were ones attached to the royal family and nobility. It wasn’t something he would have needed to become a judge, but it was always handy to know.
A strangled gasp came from him as he grabbed up the book and gaped at the cover.
His mother sighed. “There you go.”
Aputi looked up. “But Siku…”
“Is going to accept you, no matter what. He had stars in his eyes when he talked about you, which as your mother, I think is utterly understandable. And yes Aputi, he looked heartbroken when he saw that money slapped on the table, but…I don’t think he believed it.”
“I suppose I could always just tell him it was Pukak who did it. After all, the guy did trick him once.”
Ainu crouched before him, holding his face between her warm hands. “Do whatever it takes Aputi. You’ve done so much for me, for anyone but you, but do this for yourself. If you want him in your life forever, go and do this. Fight for it.”
Aputi nodded, standing up. “You’re right.”
She kissed his cheek. “Damn right I am, now go.”
Aputi made for the door, stopping. “And you?”
“I think I’m going to clean this mess you call a room, and then take a nice nap. I’ll be here when you’re done.”
Flying down the stairs, Aputi hooked his hand around the banister and swung over it. Bending to dig for his shoes, he stopped as he spotted the bag of sekham sitting on the table where his mother had left it. No doubt, Pukak was lurking about somewhere outside, waiting for the moment Aputi left so he could have it. Aputi wouldn’t accept the money and knew his mother wouldn’t either.
Grinning, he snatched up the bag and jogged out of the house. After a few blocks, he came to a stop when he spotted Pukak leaning against one side of the bridge. The smirk on his face didn’t reach the venomous glint of his eyes as Pukak looked Aputi up and down, before finally falling on the bag clutched in Aputi’s hand.
“Finally decide to wise up and hand over what’s mine?” Pukak asked.
From the far side of the bridge, Aputi spotted the hulking shape of one of the men he’d hired to watch over his house, or more specifically, his mother. Dinad wasn’t the most intelligent of men, but when he took a job, he stuck to it. It also didn’t hurt that Dinad was one of the biggest shifters Aputi had ever met, and his size alone could strike fear in the hearts of those who crossed him.
Pukak glanced over his shoulder, shrugging. “You’ve got men, I’ve got men.”
Aputi glanced over his shoulder, seeing a trio of shifters behind him. They weren’t quite as impressive as Dinad, but the three of them were certainly deadly looking. Aputi had no doubt the three would be able to hold their own, and probably dole out some serious damage if they were allowed to.
Aputi snorted. “Since when did you start forking over money for hired help?”
Pukak sneered. “Changing times demand a change in method. If you won’t listen to
reason, then I have to use force.”
“So let me get this straight, you hired mercenaries to beat me up in the street to take the sekham you ‘earned’ by selling out the location of the love of my life?” Aputi asked.
Pukak snorted. “Love of your life? Wow, you fell for a prince, what kind of tragic play that would make. Really, I could almost puke from the sweetness.”
Aputi took the bag of sekham and dangled it over the edge of the bridge. “And what if I just happened to, oh I don’t know, let go?”
Pukak went rigid. “You do that, and you won’t get off this bridge alive.”
“Shouldn’t you be threatening my mother as well?”
“She’ll be next. Better yet, I’ll make sure they beat you, and then you can watch what happens to your mother. Give me the sekham Aputi, or this ends badly for you.”
Aputi had no doubt that between he and Dinad, they could take on Pukak and his three hired goons. However, Aputi didn’t want to have a full-on brawl in the streets. Not only would it attract the guards and put a hitch in his plan, but he hated getting involved in violence. Pukak and his three mercenaries would have no such qualms, but that thought only made Aputi smile wider.
“You’re right, there’s no need to get myself in a fight with you,” Aputi admitted, drawing his hand back.
Pukak gave him an ugly smile. “At least with some things, you can see reason.”
Aputi turned to the trio of men who had advanced on him while he was busy talking to Pukak. The leader, a tall man who was probably more dangerous than his lithe form hinted at, was watching him carefully. Aputi took note of him, but particularly the disinterested look in his eye.
“Is he paying you well?” Aputi asked.
The man shrugged. “Well enough to deal with this, it’s nothing personal.”
As if Aputi hadn’t dealt with mercenaries before and somehow needed to be told that.
Aputi held up the heavy bag of sekham. “Is he paying you this much?”
The man eyed the bag, his bored expression flickering with a hint of greed. “No, not by a long shot.”
“What the hell are you doing?” Pukak growled though Aputi could hear the wariness in his voice.
Aputi dangled the bag. “And if I were to give you this money to say, deal with Pukak for me, in whatever way you saw fit, what would you say?”
The man’s smile was ugly. “I would say money up front.”
Without hesitation, Aputi tossed the bag to the mercenary. “Good, he’s threatening your new employer. Make sure he’s in no state to be a threat to anyone.”
“Easily done.”
Aputi turned around and walked past Pukak. He didn’t flinch as Pukak spun to catch him, only to give a frightened yelp as he was yanked away from Aputi. Not looking over his shoulder, Aputi approached Dinad.
“You know they’ll probably kill him,” Dinad rumbled, sounding unconcerned.
Aputi winced. “Try to make sure they don’t, I’m really not the assassin hiring sort.”
“He deserves it.”
“Maybe, but if I manage to convince Siku that I wasn’t the one who sold him out, Pukak will probably suffer even more because the law will come for him.”
Dinad raised a thick brow. “That the prince you’re in love with?”
Aputi grinned. “Yep, and the very same I have to go and try to win.”
“Then what are you doing standing here? Go get your prince, I’ll take care of this mess,” Dinad said with a nod.
Aputi didn’t need to be told twice and with a salute to Dinad, sped off down the straight road toward the castle.
Siku
“My dear, you have hardly spoken a word for days. Are you truly so angry with me?”
His mother’s voice brought him out of the haze of his thoughts. Wide-eyed, he turned to her, blinking slowly as he tried to parse what she’d said. Ever since returning to the castle, Siku had found himself becoming lost in his thoughts more easily than ever. Often he would miss whole parts of the conversation and have no idea what was happening.
“I’m sorry Mother, what did you say?” Siku asked politely.
His mother’s frown was fraught with concern as she strolled toward him. She placed warm hands on each side of his face, making him look at her. Dark eyes peered at him, her usually smooth forehead creased with deep concern.
“You have been so distant since your return to the castle,” she said.
Siku gave her a smile he didn’t feel. “I suppose I have been daydreaming of my life with Duke Qinu. It’s not often one is wed to someone so honorable as he.”
Queen Nilak eyed him suspiciously. “The same man you ran away from the castle to avoid being wed to?”
“I ran away to have a moment of freedom, Mother,” Siku said tiredly.
“And ended up in the slums, so I hear.”
Siku’s head snapped up. “I met our people for the first time in my life. I truly saw them for who they were, both good and ill. It’s something you never allowed me to have, and I took it for myself. I’m agreeing to go along with the wedding proposal you accepted for me, but I won’t apologize for leaving.”
The Queen leaned back, startled by his sudden vehemence. She tilted her head, before finally turning to the servants in the room and motioning them out. Bowing, they dropped what they had in hand, and slipped out of the room.
“If you begrudge my rules so much, why stay so close to the castle after running away? You were so near the sea, all you needed was to board a ship and leave.”
Siku laughed. “You think I wanted to run away forever? I’m the crown prince, I know what my responsibilities are, and they are to my people. Perhaps I did run away for my own selfish reasons, but the things I learned are infinitely more valuable than many lessons I learned here. While my tutors were busy teaching me which fork to use, there were children starving in our streets, and trusted members of high society abusing their power to rule over the poor.”
Queen Nilak’s face softened. “Siku, the world has always had those that suffer, and those that cause suffering. You cannot take every ill the world contains upon your shoulders.”
“It seems you’ve been content to make me unaware of any ills whatsoever, let alone allow me to choose which to shoulder. There was a plague years ago, did you know?”
“I had heard, but the matter was dealt with.”
“No Mother, the matter dealt with itself. The plague disappeared after it wiped out so many people, and some of the survivors are barely getting by. Meanwhile, we have bankers abusing the contracts of their servants to keep them on indefinitely, and high society ladies grossly underpaying and abusing their workers.”
Nilak raised a thin brow. “And what will you do about that, once you wear the crown?”
Siku hesitated, his shoulders drooping as he was asked the very same thing he’d been wondering about himself. All he knew was that there were problems, but he had no ideas for solutions. Everything he thought of would inevitably create further issues, complicating the entire mess.
Siku shook his head. “I won’t give you the satisfaction of an impulsive answer, because I quite frankly do not know. Sadly, I was not equipped to even think of solutions to these problems, but I will be changing that.”
“And how will you do that?”
“By steering my own education. What good is history if I don’t learn the tools necessary to apply past lessons to the present? Why must I learn only art and music, when economics and law would serve me so much better? I will sit on the throne one day Mother, and I refuse to ignore these problems.”
The Queen drew herself up straighter. “You think to be a better ruler than I?”
Siku smiled sadly. “I seek to be the ruler I want to be, not the one you shaped me into.”
Once he was married, he would no longer be considered a ward under his mother’s care. She would no longer be able to dictate so much of his life, save for her role as Queen. Siku could choose his own tutors, seek out hi
s own information, and even leave the castle if he so chose. Marriage to the duke was not the method he would have preferred to find his freedom, but if there was anything he’d learned from Aputi, it was to use whatever resources you were given to their fullest.
A pang shot through him, piercing the barely contained frustration at his mother. Aputi’s face swam up in his mind and his gut clenched. He truly didn’t blame Aputi for his final decision, but it still hurt all the same. It might have only been a matter of days before the royal guards inevitably found him, but Siku would have liked to have that extra time.
His mother frowned, reaching out. “And there is that frown again. Have I really caused you so much pain?”
Siku looked up, his heartache deepening as he saw the despair on his mother’s face. She had bound him so close to her, letting him have such little exposure to the wider world. Siku hated that she’d even gone so far as to arrange a marriage for him, rather than let him have any say. Yet it was what her father had done for her, and she herself almost never left the castle for the outside world.
“Don’t you ever wonder what it’s like out there?” Siku asked.
She hesitated before slowly easing onto the chaise behind her. Her small hands knotted around themselves, settling in her lap. Siku had never seen her look so unsure of herself, so afraid. When she looked up, he was taken aback by the earnest plea in her face.
“Do you remember hearing of the attempted coup?”
Siku had, but it had been when he was far too young to remember it. Barely out of his training clothes, Siku could remember only a great deal of noise and a lot of running around. It wasn’t until he was older that he learned a radical group, hating all things noble and royal, had launched a surprise attack from inside the castle. As he had been told, he and his mother had been safe from all harm, and the traitors had been cut down easily.
“The castle was attacked, and we were safe,” Siku recited.
His mother gave him a weak smile. “Only after you were nearly dragged from this castle. A few of them managed to work their way to you while you were in your playroom. They cut down the guards and the wet nurse who had been a second mother to you. They nearly made it from this castle and would have succeeded in taking you away if it were not for the previous Duke Qinu.”
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