Page 16 of Unseen Lord

"Your Highness, there's someone here requesting a personal and private audience with you," one of the servants of High Castle says, standing in the doorway of my quarters.

I've been up for hours, but the sun is still a distant glimmer on the horizon. A fire blazes before me. My bed is a tangled mess of blankets, and I'm wearing nothing but a pair of tie-up leggings. Duke is curled up by the fire sleeping—his favorite place to be.

I sigh. "Who is it?"

The servant, a young Fae who looks to be in her 20s and is unfamiliar to me, curtsies. "She would not give me her name. She is… strange. She says to tell you she helped with your problem in the Black Lotus dungeons and has news for your ears alone."

Callie? It has to be, but how? She disappeared after our escape and no one has heard from her since.

"Send her up," I say, standing to find at least a tunic to throw on. The servant looks nervously at the bed and the clothes on my floor but I wave her away. "My room is fine. Send her up."

A few minutes later, the servant escorts a beautiful woman dressed in a forest green cloak, her head and body covered, and only her face showing. The servant can't stop staring at Callie.

"That will be all. Thank you."

The servant blinks, surprised by my voice, then nervously curtseys and leaves us alone.

Callie takes the chair next to me by the fire and pulls down her hood, revealing small horns and shiny auburn hair. I know underneath her cloak she will also have the furry legs of a succubus.

Callie has been Iris's best friend their whole lives. They were raised together by Sly. Still, I'm surprised to see her here.

Duke wakes from his nap and shuffles over to Callie, laying his head on her lap for a pet, which she naturally obliges.

"You've come a long way," I say.

"You have no idea, Prince. My journeys have taken me far and wide to many of the Nine Worlds."

"And what have you been seeking?"

She looks at me pointedly with piercing chocolate eyes. "Truth."

"That is a hard thing to find," I say. "I've found truth wears many disguises."

She smiles and helps herself to my goblet of wine. "It does indeed. Like a Most Wanted criminal, perhaps."

I learned long ago that succubi have no sway on my desires. It's rare, but not unheard of for someone to be born immune to their charms. And yet I still find Callie an enjoyable companion, even under these circumstances. "I'm not the truth you're seeking," I say.

"No, you're not. But you are a true thing in a world filled with lies. That's something. And that's what my best friend needs right now."

And so we come to it. "Do you know where she is?"

"I do. And I will tell you, if you promise me something, Prince."

"Anything," I say without hesitation.

She smiles, but there is a sadness to her eyes. "Do not give your promises away so rashly before knowing what I ask."

My jaw hardens. "It doesn't matter what you ask. I will do anything to save Iris."

The fire crackles before us, sending embers sparking into the air, as Callie places a hand on mine. "You two are perfect for each other, if you survive one another that is."

"So tell me. Where is she?"

"First, the promise. When you find her, you must seek the truth, not the easy lie. It won't be easy, but if you are led astray by falsehoods, much will be lost."

"That's fairly ominous," I say with a sigh. Succubi were known to speak in riddles. "Can't you just tell me what to look for."

"I cannot. I would if I could, truly. But I cannot. This is something you must discern for yourself. Keep your eyes open. Trust your heart. You will follow the right path."