Chapter 73: The Serpent and the Snow Cat

Note: Hello everyone! Okay so I’m clearing this up because I feel it might lead to some confusion. The night Cassian fought Dorian was the same night Leonidas fought him. Then he passed out for five days. Leonidas used three days to rush to the Imperial Palace. Zarek used just two days to get to Shadow’s Edge. I hope this makes sense!

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Cassian did not make it to the courtyard with any dignity.

He made it to the top of the stairs, one hand braced against the cold stone wall, the other slung over Ferrin’s shoulders, and every step down felt like someone was dragging a hot knife along his ribs.

"You are being an idiot," Ferrin muttered.

"You have said that four times."

"Because it is still true."

Cassian didn’t have the strength to argue. So he settled for a weak smirk and kept walking.

The courtyard doors swung open, and the cold slapped him in the face.

Fifty imperial soldiers stood in ragged rows across the stones, the Empress’s crimson banners snapping in the wind above them. Their horses were lathered and steaming. Half the men looked like they might fall asleep standing up.

And in the middle of it all, one man stood perfectly still.

Zarek.

He looked terrible. His cloak was crusted with road dust, his green hair had come loose from its tie, and the shadows under his eyes were dark as bruises. But his back was straight and his hands were clasped behind him.

He was staring at a guard, who was staring back in visible panic.

"Your stone," Zarek was saying, in a tone of mild inquiry. "It holds no heat. I find that unsettling."

"M-my lord?"

Cassian stared.

This was the man the Empress had sent?

"King Zarek," he called, arranging his face. "I was not aware the Snake Clan had taken up sightseeing."

Zarek turned. His eyes moved over the bandages beneath Cassian’s open collar, the way he was keeping his weight off one side, the sheen of sweat on his forehead.

"You are injured."

"You are observant."

"You should be resting."

"You should be guarding your family." Cassian’s smile sharpened. "Yet here we are."

An emotion flickered across Zarek’s face. Irritation or confusion, Cassian couldn’t tell. With this man, they looked the same.

"Corvin is watching them. And General Aldric."

"How reassuring. And how long have you been on the road?"

"Two days."

"Without stopping."

"We stopped for the horses."

"But not for yourselves." Cassian glanced at the swaying soldiers. "You have run fifty men into the ground."

Zarek turned, examined his troops as though noticing them for the first time, and turned back. "They seem fine."

One of the soldiers swayed and caught himself on his horse.

Cassian pinched the bridge of his nose. Gods above. It was like trying to have a conversation with a very polite wall.

"Ferrin," he said, without looking away. "Please see that these men are fed, warmed, and given beds. Immediately."

Ferrin hesitated, his grey eyes darting between Cassian and the Snake King. "Cassian, are you certain—"

"I am certain." Cassian’s voice was hard despite the weariness dragging at his bones. "They have ridden hard for two days. They deserve rest."

Ferrin let out a sigh, slowly released Cassian, and began issuing orders to the soldiers.

Once the sounds of boots and armor faded, Cassian folded his arms and immediately regretted it. He winced before he could stop himself.

Zarek said nothing.

"Now," Cassian said, forcing his voice level. "What possessed you to ride two days all the way here without rest?"

"Leonidas is fine."

Cassian blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

"You were about to ask." Zarek’s expression didn’t change. "It was written all over your face. You were going to ask about him next."

Cassian opened his mouth. "I—that’s not—"

"He survived. He’s alright."

Cassian felt relief flood through him. He hated how much he felt it. He hated that some part of him, some stupid, sentimental part, actually cared whether his arrogant, brooding cousin lived or died.

"Good," he said. "That fool."

"Yes." Zarek tilted his head. "That was my assessment as well."

Cassian frowned. "What do you mean?"

"He ran to the Empress without securing his palace." Zarek continued. "He left a madman loose in his own kingdom. He abandoned his people, his guards, his responsibilities. It was stupid."

The relief in Cassian’s chest transformed into something else. A defensive feeling.

"He ran to her," Cassian said slowly, "because he cared."

"He ran and left everything else exposed."

"Because she was in danger. Dorian threatened her specifically, threatened to come after her and the prince. Leonidas had every reason to—"

"You underestimate the Empress." Zarek’s pupils narrowed. "She is always surrounded by an army. She has General Aldric, who would die for her without hesitation. She has guards, walls, soldiers. She was not in immediate danger."

Cassian opened his mouth to speak once more, but was shut by Zarek wagging his finger.

"I don’t really care. Leonidas has always been reckless. It’s a wonder how he is even king. But... let’s move on. Tell me about this Dorian. Leonidas said little. He sounds unwell."

"Unwell." Cassian let out a breath, partially grateful for the change in subject. "He is a monster who has been planning this for years. He was my uncle’s general. Everyone thought he was dead. Now he is stronger than any beastman has a right to be, and he wants our entire family in the ground."

"Including the Empress."

"Including the Empress."

"Where is he?"

"I do not know." The words tasted bitter. "He escaped. Fled into the mountains while I was unconscious. My soldiers are searching, but he knows this terrain better than we do."

"Hm."

Cassian waited. Nothing else came. "That is your entire response?"

"You are alive. That is good." Zarek seemed to consider it sufficient. "I am here to make sure you stay that way. Karina was very worried about you."

Cassian went still.

"From what I could tell of her reaction," Zarek went on. "she would have been very upset if you died."

His stomach flipped.

She had said that? She had sent a husband across the lands, on no rest, because she was...

Heat crept up the back of his neck. He looked away, studying the stones.

"Oh," Cassian said.

It came out much too soft.

"Hm."

Something in Zarek’s voice changed. It was subtle, the smallest tightening at the edge of a word. Cassian glanced up.

Zarek’s hands, once clasped loosely behind his back, were now fisted at his sides.

"You are blushing."

"I am not."

"Your ears are red."

"It is cold."

"It is much colder than a moment ago, and your ears are still red." A pause. Then, in the flattest tone imaginable: "Is there something between you and the Empress?"

Cassian’s eyebrows shot up.

Oh.

Oh, this was interesting.

Slowly, he let a smirk curl across his lips. It felt good to have the upper hand again, even with his side screaming. "Why would you care?"

Zarek said nothing.

"You are leaving the marriage soon. Are you not?" Cassian took a careful step closer. "What she does, or with whom, should hardly concern you."

A muscle jumped in Zarek’s jaw.

He was clenching his teeth.

Then, to Cassian’s surprise, Zarek chuckled.

"Do you have feelings for her Imperial Majesty?"

"No." The lie slid out. Cassian even raised a brow. "I do not."

Zarek studied him for a long, silent moment.

"Hm."

The wind gusted between them.

At last, Zarek turned toward the palace doors, his cloak swirling around his boots.

"Then you are fine," he said. "That is all I needed to know. We are not leaving until that bastard is dead."

He walked away without looking back.