Faust’s stomach coiled in knots. Emoris’s aura blared a vivid green as if he would attack. The ground beneath Faust could skewer him under Emoris’s command, and Faust was the only one here who knew. No one but he and Konrad could see the auras, as far as he knew.
Emoris lifted Faust’s chin and smudged dirt off Faust’s cheek. “Showing up with such filth on your person will only make our deals with the people worse. Bathe and prepare for your daily court session.”
“I apologize,” Faust said. “It will not happen again, Your Excellency.”
“No, it will not.” The deity let Faust go, and walked back the way he came, the heels of Emoris’s boots echoing along the stone pathways until he was out of sight.
Rene dropped a hand on Faust’s shoulder. “I will report this to the king. Get ready for the day.”
Faust jogged over to the far wall, tossing the training swords in the bin with haste. The faint clicks of boots followed him. “I do not think His Excellency will approve of you following me today, Captain Martel.”
Daren shook his head. “I take my orders from King Konrad, Prince Faust.”
Faust waved his hand in annoyance but didn’t protest the matter. He rubbed the dirt from his face and walked the long, dark corridor. The castle looked more like a dungeon this time of day. One day, he wanted to leave the castle walls and travel year-round. He missed being able to visit other cities. If only his family didn’t have to listen to Emoris and Lathil, that would change.
Faust turned another corner, the lanterns flickering to life with green flames, the very flames of magic Emoris controlled. He ascended a set of stairs in a rush, the sense of dread growing in the pit of his stomach. Konrad could be punished for keeping Faust’s magic a secret.
“Your Highness.”
Faust halted at Daren’s prompting. He looked forward and stared at his late parents’ servant standing at his door. Joel served Emoris after Faust’s parents died, there was no reason for him to be here. Faust regained his composure as he walked up. “Good morning, Joel.”
“Your Highness.” Joel bowed. “His Excellency sent me to attend you. He does not wish for any more delays.”
Faust forced a smile. “What about Alton? He attends me just fine.”
Joel shook his head. “Alton had a family emergency. His Excellency was gracious enough to give him leave,” he explained. “Now, please, Your Highness, you must get ready.”
Faust didn’t like this. Alton attended him before morning practice, and last he’d heard, Alton didn’t have any family left. Emoris was up to something. Faust glanced at Daren.
“Captain Martel must remain outside,” Joel said. “It is improper for someone of his status to see you bathe, Your Highness.”
Joel was right, but Faust didn’t want to be around the servant either. Joel was at Emoris’s beck and call and would report everything, no matter how insignificant the detail. Joel’s aura was also an obnoxious green—the same green as Emoris. Faust’d learned that color meant a person was loyal to Emoris.
“I will guard the door, Your Highness.” Daren smiled. “That is my sworn duty, after all.”
Joel’s eyes narrowed, but he addressed Faust instead. “Please, Your Highness.”
Faust shared one last glance with Daren and unhooked his room key from his belt. He pushed the heavy key into the lock and turned it, but the opening click never came, the door was already unlocked.
“I took the liberty of preparing your clothes and the bath, Your Highness,” Joel stated.
Faust gripped the cast-iron handle and shoved harder than he’d intended. He caught the door before it banged against the stone wall and surveyed his room. A dark green tunic and various over layers, black pants, and sturdy riding boots rested on his bed. Faust grimaced. He hated wearing Emoris’s colors. The deity wanted to control all aspects of his family’s lives.
Joel moved to the bath, and Faust heard him strip down to his bathing attire. Faust sighed. Best to get this over with and face the day. The longer he made Emoris wait, the more trouble it would cause. One of these days, he’d remove the pompous deity off his throne and let Konrad rule Alios the way he wanted. He just needed to figure out how, since his secret didn’t allow him to use magic in the open.
Faust shook his head and walked into the baths with Joel, unstrapping his chest armor. Joel wasn’t small like Alton, and it was obvious he trained. The servant wore a short white tunic that did little to hide his physique.
“Let me help you, Your Highness.”
“I can do it myself.” He was twenty-one and a grown man. Alton didn’t even help him undress. Faust tossed the armor in a basket and began on his gauntlets, but resigned himself to Joel’s help when he invaded Faust’s space. With the last of his armor removed, Faust pulled his tunic off.
Joel took Faust’s long hair in his hands and smoothed it out. “You have dirt in your hair.”
Faust walked forward and undressed the rest of the way. He had planned on a short bath, but it seemed Joel wouldn’t let that happen. The sunken bath was filled to the brim with water, distorting the colorful tiles beneath the surface. He waded down into the water with his back to Joel.
Joel kneeled by the edge. “May I wash your back, Your Highness?”
“You may.” His muscles hurt today. Perhaps it had been a bad idea to go the extra round with Daren.
Joel washed Faust with gentle grace, massaging Faust’s shoulders. “You are tense from your training,” he commented.
Faust relaxed. “I do have to train sometime.” It was his duty as a prince to protect his people.
“May I move on to your hair?” Joel asked and moved for the pitcher of water off to Faust’s left.
Faust nodded. He hated to admit it, but Joel excelled at massages. If he weren’t careful, he would fall asleep. Faust closed his eyes as the water poured over his head. He swept his bangs back, allowing Joel to massage scented oils into his hair. A sweet aroma wafted through the bathing area. It smelled nice, and nothing like the usual incense placed in his room. Faust blinked hard, his focus on the far wall, near the servant entrance.
Joel’s movements paused. “Is something the matter, Your Highness?”
“Where did that incense come from?” Faust asked. It was a new bottle decorated in green and gold. He hadn’t seen anything like it arrive in the castle stocks he’d logged recently.
Joel hesitated. “I am uncertain, Your Highness. No one else has been in here except me since Alton left.”
Faust stared at the elegant glass bottle. The longer he looked at it, the more his mind raced. There was something familiar about it.
“It’s a nice smell,” Joel said, running the scented oils through Faust’s long hair again. “Quite relaxing, actually. Perhaps His Excellency put it in here for you?”
Faust didn’t think that was possible. Emoris didn’t give anyone gifts unless he wanted something in return.
He’d ask Konrad about it later. Faust sank more into the water as Joel finished washing his hair and found his eyes refused to stay open. This wasn’t good.
Joel’s hands wandered to Faust’s neck, and a chill shot down Faust’s spine.