as he was told.
He didn’t know how long he stood there, gazing at the gardens below, before he felt Castien open the bond between them. “Observe,” Castien told him before intertwining their telepathic presences together so that he could see what Castien was seeing in Prince Jamil’s mind.
It was the strangest feeling. It was quite disorienting, so Eridan closed his eyes, but the strangeness of the experience didn’t completely fade. This technique was used rarely for a reason: it was only possible between highly compatible minds.
He watched his Master examine Prince Jamil’s mind, studying the withered remnants of the prince’s marriage bond. He could sense a spark of interest from his Master, as if Castien had encountered something he hadn’t expected. Castien delved deeper, searching. Eridan could also sense Prince Jamil’s growing unease. It seemed he didn’t want Castien to see something in his mind.
Eridan felt a pang of sympathy for the prince. The poor man had recently lost his husband; his mind and his marriage bond were all messed up. Surely he deserved some privacy?
Frowning, Eridan pulled out of the connection and sighed. His Master was going to be angry with him for being too “soft,” but that would be nothing new.
He left the terrace, opened the door to the office, and stuck his head in. “Master, are you done? Can we go already?”
Castien’s gaze snapped to him. His lips pursed slightly, his eyes flashing with irritation. “I told you to wait for me outside, Eridan.”
Eridan pouted exaggeratedly.
A muscle pulsed in Castien’s jaw. “My apologies for my apprentice, Your Highness,” he said. “Where are your manners, Eridan?”
“Oh!” Eridan gave Prince Jamil a sheepish smile, flushing. He bowed. “Health and tranquility, Your Highness.”
“You’re Master Idhron’s apprentice?” Prince Jamil said, shooting him a surprised look.
Eridan flashed him a crooked grin. “I am, and I’m the bane of his existence. You are even more stunning in person, Your Highness.”
The prince truly was stunning, with his shiny brown locks, beautiful green eyes, and the kind of bone structure that most people could only dream of.
“Eridan,” Castien snapped. “Wait for me outside.”
Eridan rolled his eyes. “Yes, Master,” he said. “But hurry up, would you? I’m bored. You know that me and boredom are never a good combination.”
He closed the door again and smiled to himself. Mission accomplished. Though he was going to be in a world of trouble for this.
Trying to delay the inevitable, Eridan wandered away.
He walked for a while, looking around curiously.
A female voice stopped him. “Are you lost, my dear?”
Eridan turned around and hastily bowed. “Your Majesty.” He had seen Queen Janesh only on the news, but it would be impossible not to recognize her. She was still a stunning beauty, despite having grown children.
He lifted his gaze, and to his surprise, found the Queen frowning, her face pale.
Eridan cocked his head, confused. “Your Majesty? Is something wrong?”
Queen Janesh shook her head, still frowning a little. “No. For a moment, I thought I was seeing a dear friend of mine who died a long time ago.” She smiled sadly. “The resemblance is quite uncanny. What is your name, child?” She glanced at his robes and raised her eyebrows. “You are a mind adept?”
Before Eridan could say anything, Castien caught up to him.
“Your Majesty,” he said with a small bow.
The Queen returned it. “Your Grace. Health and tranquility. You had an appointment with my son?”
Castien just nodded, laying a hand on Eridan’s shoulder. There was a strange wariness about him. Eridan looked at him sharply.
“How is he?” the Queen said. “Better?”
“His bond barely hurts him anymore,” Castien said. “But you understand that I cannot say more than that, Your Majesty. Patient-healer confidentiality.”
The Queen nodded. “Of course.” She glanced at Eridan curiously. “Is this young man your apprentice?”
Castien gave a clipped nod, his hand on Eridan’s shoulder tightening. “If you’ll excuse us, we have to go, Your Majesty.” He bowed and steered Eridan away.
“What was that?” Eridan hissed. “You were so rude, Master!”
Castien didn’t reply, his face like stone.
He seemed to relax only once they were back in the monastery. “Go to High Hronthar,” he said, without looking at Eridan. “I still have work here.”
Eridan nodded, looking at his Master’s retreating back, beyond bewildered.
Castien hadn’t even reprimanded him for interrupting him and Prince Jamil.
Had he just forgotten?
Chapter Thirteen: The Truth
Eridan returned to the castle, still feeling rattled and confused. Something was niggling at the back of his mind and he couldn’t place it.
So he went to his room, sat down on his meditation