Startled, Ren closed a hand around the king's wrist and tried to pull away, but the man's grip was like iron. “Y-yes. I didn't mean to disturb your prisoner, Your Majesty,” Ren assured him.

King Halvard suddenly let go and Ren took a few steps back. The look the king sent his advisor was one full of outrage. Despite that, Lord Nathair smiled, although it looked more like the expression a fox would have right before entering a hen house.

Ren swallowed. Thais owed him more than silence for this.

“You're free to disturb him all you wish, Lord Ren. He's for you,” Nathair said.

Ren blinked. “For me?” he asked, bemused. He glanced at the king, but the man's expression was unreadable. How could the prisoner be for him if he wasn't even supposed to be here? It had to be a mistake. “I think you might be-” Ren started, but Nathair cut him off.

“He's all yours. For your enjoyment.”

Ren shook his head. His plan to sneak into the party was already at risk. Accepting a gift from the king of Skarlan would definitely get him exposed.

“I'm sorry, I don't want…he's not-”

“No matter,” Nathair interrupted, shining Ren another fox-like smile. “He's yours now, so you can do with him as you please. Or are you going to refuse the gift of a king? He was not cheap, nor easy to tame.”

Ren looked from Nathair to King Halvard, who still hadn't spoken. At Nathair's words, the king seemed to shake himself out and gave a firm nod.

“It's a fine gift. You'd do well not to refuse, boy,” King Halvard said.

Ren bowed deeply. “Very well. Thank you, Your Majesty,” Ren said slowly. As he watched, Lord Nathair placed a hand against the king's chest and physically pushed him aside so Ren could pass. When Ren did, he dared one last glance at the king. He was pale, body stiff.

Ren left the dungeons as fast as he could, relieved to breathe in the fresh air above ground.

However he had imagined King Halvard, this certainly hadn't been it.

* * *

“So?” Thais asked, ambushing Ren as soon as he left the courtyard.

“You were right,” Ren said, glancing around. “It's a Lowlander. His name is Anik and he got one of his tattoos from killing a stag when he was a kid or something. Good enough?”

“That's it?” Thais asked, upper lip curling in disdain. “That's all you found out?”

“Are you going to be quiet or not?”

“Fine.” Thais sighed and brushed his brown locks back from his eyes. “Father and Hellic still haven't arrived. I don't know what's taking them so long. I think the guests are starting to get impatient.”