"Oh this?" he holds up his mask. "Just a bit of fun. A chance to see Stonehill as a common man. I do the same in my realm you know. Walk the streets and inspect the stalls under the guise of a traveler. You learn so much about the people this way, of what they truly think of their rulers." He grabs an apple from a platter and takes a big loud bite. I notice everyone is staring at us, anticipating what we will do next. Niam points at me. "They like you, the people. Even though you are a prince, even though you are a Druid, somehow, they relate to you. They praise you for driving away Levi. Some even admire your strict feeding regulations. They call for change, they do. And that is what they see you as. A symbol of change." He puts his feet up on one of the banquet tables. "We could use this to our advantage."
"We?" I chuckle at his delusion.
"We," he says, smiling, his teeth bright and perfect. "Why not? With Levi out of the picture, as it were, I need a new ally."
"You turn so easily?"
He looks surprised. "Don't we all? I recall a time not so long ago when we were allies, just before Arianna arrived to this bloody world. Perhaps we can put aside our differences once again. Not allow a woman to get in between brothers."
"What do you propose?" I do not truly seek an alliance, but I do need peace while I search for Arianna.
"Your realm is in disarray," he says plainly. "Between the raid from the Outlanders, the Fae battle, and Levi's occupation, your people have suffered and your goods have withered. You need wood and stone to repair your very castle. You need food to feed your people through the winter. I can provide all. In exchange for a small service."
Right. Niam doesn't know the meaning of the word small. "What service?"
"Your help. And your army." He takes another bite of his apple. "With Levi missing, I seek to… secure… his realm."
I snicker at the audacity. "You mean conquer it?"
"I mean save. For without a proper ruler it will fall into chaos soon enough. Levi's men however, do not wish to give away their power. His generals squabble over Crimson Castle even as we speak."
"You have an army," I say, waving the dagger in my hand. "Take the castle yourself."
Niam rubs his chin. "I could, but many would fall in the battle. With your forces aligned with mine, perhaps even Dean's and Asher's as well, we could force them to surrender. No bloodshed."
Damn him. He knows I don't want to see innocent men fall. And he knows we need resources to recover from recent events. Niam is self-serving, but he's not stupid and he knows the value of things. Yet it is he who plans the battle. "What of Ace and Zeb? They turn on you already?"
He smacks his lips. "No. But Ace is staying neutral, as he calls it. And Zeb, well, Zeb does not wish to take Crimson Castle in case Levi returns. He thinks it would reflect poorly on him."
"But you just don't care what people think, don't you?"
His voice is cold when he speaks. "What people think is often irrational and changes on a whim. So no. I do not care. I would much rather spend my time getting results. Thoughts can easily be influenced later." He takes another bite of the apple. "So, what do you say? Should we discuss the details?"
I think over his offer. It would mean warm bellies and shelter for my people. It would mean faster repairs for my castle. It would mean less bloodshed in the south. But in the end, it would mean a deal with the devil.
I face my brother. And then I leap into the air and land on the table. Plates shatter under my heel and the table shakes and groans beneath my boots. I walk forward, kicking dishes and meals away, until I stand over Niam, glaring down at his small form below.
"I will not help you," I say, my voice stern, a voice you do not interrupt. "But you will help me. You will send your goods north, to Stonehill. You will send your supplies. And you will do so promptly."
Niam chuckles, but the humor doesn't touch his eyes. "And why would I do such a thing?"
"Because if you do not, I will throw you to the floor of this hall. I will punch those pretty teeth until they fall out red and bloody. And I will drag you to my dungeon. Where you will stay for all eternity."
He stands from his chair, his face filled with rage. "You wouldn't dare. I am your brother. I am your guest."
I kneel down, meeting him at eye level. "And perhaps that would count for something, if you hadn't tried to have your brother killed. If you hadn't attacked his guest in his very own hall. Perhaps then, it would count. But who knows? I never really liked you anyway."
"You… You…" Spittle flies from his mouth as he searches for the words. "You will not threaten me."
I grip the dagger in my hand. His dagger. And I put it against his throat. "I think you misunderstand. I don't make threats, brother. I am the Prince of War, or have you forgotten? I only make promises."
"I…" His eyes race around the room, surely searching for a way out. A way to safety. He seeks his guards, dressed in masks, planted throughout the room. But I spotted them early on and had their drinks spiked in anticipation of his arrival. They are sleeping off their drugged state in guarded rooms. He will find no ally, no help. He underestimates my capacity to anticipate danger and plan for it. I may not relish my title as Prince of War, but I have earned it and I do not wear it lightly. The cocky bastard should have thought ahead. But that is the way with Niam. People always like him, even when he stabs them in the back. Why should he worry? He just forgot, I'm no person. Not truly. I gave a part of myself away, a part of my humanity, when I took the throne. When I became half person, half prince. Half human, half duty. When I became the Prince of War. The Prince of Death.