When Alex e William arrived at the duchess's palace, Flori welcomed them with a broad smile.
"Where have you been all morning?"
"We had a few things to take care of," Alex replied.
"Are you hungry? We can have lunch together."
"That would be perfect, especially since we need to talk to you about a serious matter."
His cousin frowned. "Politics?"
"No, it has to do with your city."
Flori merely nodded and led the way to the dining room. They sat down at the table and ate in silence for a while.
"So," Flori said, "what was this important thing you wanted to talk to me about?"
Alex glanced at William, who was picking at the meat pie, and sighed. "We're trying to have someone arrested. A rapist."
"What? In Lenz?"
"Yes."
"I knew nothing about it."
The prince took a sip of water. "It was never reported. His father intimidated the victims."
"How many are there?"
"At least two: one girl who committed suicide, and a ten-year-old child."
Flori went pale. "By the spirits…"
Alex put a piece of meat in his mouth, but he tasted nothing. That conversation disgusted him more than he could stand. "The father is Dornwald, the bookseller."
"I know him. He's standoffish, but we've bought several books from him."
"We have reason to believe he's protecting him, threatening the entire neighborhood."
"If they had come to us…"
"I know, but they didn't."
"But they came to tyou, didn't they?"
Alex lowered his gaze. "No. Not even that. They don't trust me enough to come forward. So we have to act on our own."
"Do you have any proof?"
"Unfortunately, no. Apart from what people in the neighborhood say and what William's brother told us."
Flori looked toward the mage, who was chewing on a piece of broccoli. "Is he reliable?"
"Enough, Lord Florian." William's voice was as cold as a blade. "Everyone in the neighborhood knows it, but they don't want to talk. Besides, my brother was beaten a few days ago by the rapist."
"Ah."
"He's eighteen, Flori," Alex cut in. "Will's brother is only nine."
His cousin scowled. "What a fucking bastard. Do you have any idea how to catch him? Without proof I can't have him arrested. I mean, I could, but he'd be out again shortly, and that would be worse."
"No ideas yet. We've only identified him."
"That's already something."
Alex sighed and pushed his plate away; he had lost his appetite.
"I told the father I was interested in buying some books. He'll come tomorrow to show them to me. I could use the opportunity to question him."
"That's risky. Once he gets back home, he might make his son flee the city."
"I know, but it's all I could come up with. I can order him to cooperate."
"I have an idea," William said.
Alex looked at him, surprised. "You do?"
"We can use a decoy. If we lure him to commit another rape, we can arrest him in the act. In that case, whether or not he committed similar crimes in the past won't really matter."
"You want to… let him hurt someone?"
"Not someone. Me."
"No!" Alex jumped to his feet. "Absolutely not, I forbid it!"
William sighed. "Your Highness…"
"No! Will, by the spirits, you can't put yourself in danger like this!"
"I won't let him… go that far."
"I don't care! You're not doing it!"
"He has an interest in me. We can exploit it."
Alex shook his head. William must have gone mad to act as a decoy for a rapist bastard after everything he had been through. After what had happened in Narea with the merchant, of all things.
William set his cutlery down on the plate. "Your Highness."
"No. Absolutely not."
"It's the most logical thing we can do."
"Do you ever think about yourself? About your feelings? You're asking me to put you in danger for—"
"To catch him and save other people."
Alex planted his hands on the table, pain and fear twisting together in his stomach. "If something were to happen to you…"
"Nothing will happen. I bait him into making a wrong move, and you intervene before the situation can get out of hand."
"I don't like it."
"I know."
Alex pressed his lips together. "Will, if something happens to you, if I don't manage to get there in time and he… hurts you, I…"
William rested a hand on his shoulder. "I know. But I trust you, and I know you won't let him hurt me."
"In Narea everything went to shit."
"Your Highness, language."
"I don't want it to happen again." He took a deep breath and ran a hand over his face. "Will, right now you're making me want to punch you."
"That's not new."
"And I'd like to be the bait."
"He might recognize you."
"I doubt he's ever seen me."
"Your face is an open book, Your Highness. He'd never believe you. Not to mention you've got a soldier's build—he wouldn't even try to overpower you."
Alex frowned, and William looked away.
"Rapists look for victims they believe to be weaker than themselves: women and children, mainly. A trained man isn't an appealing target. A thin man with a delicate appearance, on the other hand, is perceived as weak and defenseless."
"You're not weak."
"But he doesn't know that. He has no idea what I might be capable of."
"And if he manages to take your grimoire away?"
"You'll intervene in time."
Flori cleared his throat. "Are you sure about this? It's a very… risky idea."
"No," Alex said. "But it's the only idea we have. And if we plan everything down to the smallest detail, William will be safe."
Or at least that was what he hoped.
William sighed. "As I said, I'm not defenseless, Lord Florian. I'm a powerful mage—His Highness can confirm that."
"And will that be enough?" Flori asked.
"Yes. And if he lays a hand on me, I'll kill him. His Highness can confirm that I'm perfectly capable of doing so."
Alex sighed and rubbed his forehead. There were too many variables, and he wasn't sure he could guarantee his safety.
But William had chosen to bring it up in front of Flori, well aware that Alex wouldn't be able to contradict him the way he wanted to. He clearly didn't want to argue about it, but the prince had no intention of letting it slide.
"If you want to do this, I want you to be armed."
William shot him a sharp look. "I don't know how to use weapons."
"I'll teach you the basics." Alex clenched his fists. "Also, your safety comes before the mission. If I decide you're in danger, I'll intervene."
"You'd do that even if I disagreed, wouldn't you?"
Alex ignored the remark. "And lastly, I want a way to track you, in case they manage to take you away. Something that lets me reach you."
William frowned. "It'll be complicated, but maybe I can do something."
"If you can't provide it, then it's off."
"You worry too much, Your Highness."
"And you worry far too little."
William's gaze turned sharp, and Alex felt a mix of desire, anger, and fear. He wanted to keep him safe—but he also wanted to save that city.
Flori let out a low, awkward chuckle. "I sense a bit of friction between the two of you."
"Get used to it, cousin. It's how we solve our problems."
"Let's hope it's an efficient method."
Alex pretended not to hear him. "I might need the support of the city guard."
"You can use all the soldiers you need, cousin. You're the soldier among us."
"Thank you, Flori." The prince looked at William. "We'll settle this later. And we'll spend the afternoon training with weapons."
"If you insist…"
Alex slumped back into his chair. "Now let's finish eating."
The rest of the meal passed with little conversation. Then William excused himself to retrieve the grimoire.
Flori and Alex headed toward the garden, where the prince and the mage could train with daggers without being interrupted.
"You have no idea how much I envy you," Flori said. "He has a certain charm."
"Who?"
"William. He's graceful, intelligent, and very determined."
Alex grimaced. "He's an idiot who puts himself in danger for no good reason."
Flori laughed. "True—but you have to admit he's brave."
"I'd say he has very little regard for his own life." He sighed. "It's not the first time. He always does this: comes up with some brilliant, dangerous idea and doesn't listen when I try to talk sense into him."
"Sounds like a man worthy of serving the crown."
"Because he puts the kingdom before himself?"
Flori nodded. "I know it's cruel, but at least you can be sure he'll never betray you. Even if they offered him money and power, he would always choose you."
"He could die. I might not be able to protect him. He's my mage—do you really think I could bear to lose him?"
"No, Alex. A man like William doesn't come along every day."
They left the building and stepped into the garden's maze of flowerbeds.
"How are things at court?"
Alex pressed his lips together. "Not promising. I've officially accepted the role of Crown Prince, but it seems no one has changed their opinion of me."
"And are you surprised?"
"I shouldn't be, but I hoped I might manage to impress them."
"You'll have to work hard. If you manage to have the rapist arrested, the people of Lenz will be grateful to you. I'll send a letter to the king with formal thanks, so the advisors will know what happened."
"And they'll see me as a good ruler?"
"Maybe not, but they'll think you're a just man."
Alex stopped. "Maybe that's exactly what they can't stand. According to William, they want me to be weak so they can manipulate me. And they want Will gone because his presence has made me aware of my role and my abilities."
Flori lowered his head and fell silent for a moment.
"He needs backing and a title, doesn't he?"
Alex shot him a glare. "What are you plotting?"
"Just a courtship." Flori gave him a sly smile. "You don't have anything against it, do you?"
"You don't need my permission."
"But it seems the idea bothers you."
"That's just your impression."
A very accurate impression.
Flori laughed. "All right, all right. I'll pretend I didn't notice your jealousy." Then he grew serious. "But if I were to court him, the Council couldn't send him away, especially after I inherit my grandmother's title. It would be the best thing for him. And for you."
"Really? Or are you just using it as an excuse because you've taken a liking to him?"
"Maybe." His cousin remained serious. "He's a handsome man, Alex, and he's caught my interest. But I also want to help you, and right now this is all I can do for you."
"It's not necessary. We can manage on our own."
"Are you jealous, by any chance?"
"No." Alex forced a smile. "Besides, I'm quite certain William will never return your feelings."
That was one of the few certainties he had, and the only one he would bet his own life on.
Flori shrugged. "We'll see about that. Ah, there he is!"
Alex turned: William was approaching them, the grimoire clutched to his chest.
"I have an idea," the mage said as soon as he reached them. "But His Highness might not like it."
"As if I liked your last idea…"
"You can track me with Caedos."
Alex stiffened. "With the snake?"
"He's a spirit. And yes, he can sense my presence and, if necessary, lead you to me."
"But if he's with me, you're defenseless."
"That's why I said you wouldn't like it."
"You're trying to make me angry today, aren't you?"
"I'm trying to be useful, Your Highness."
Alex sighed and ran a hand over his face. "No, you're trying to piss me off. Admit it."
"If it pleases you…"
"Flori, could you leave us alone, please?"
His cousin raised an eyebrow. "As you wish. If you need anything, send someone to fetch me."
"If you could take care of the city guard, I'd appreciate it."
"Do you want me to send you the captain?"
"Yes. Have him come right after dinner, so I can brief him on the plan."
Flori nodded and left them alone.
Alex took a deep breath and turned toward William.
"You and I need to talk. Now."