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“We are in Nazar.” His low tone held not question, but statement.
    Tanyan nodded wearily, but before he could speak, footsteps sounded outside the heavy
    door, and they both tensed as it swung open. Guards entered first, then the envoy who had
    captured them, and then an older man who wore authority as naturally as a cloak about him.
    There was silence as the older man ran his eyes over the Melanians, his gaze assessing,
    eyes cold and calculating.
    The look settled on Tanyan.
    “Greetings, Commander Tanyan. I regret the manner of your visit here, but I doubt you
    would have consented otherwise. We will get to know each other very well during your exile. I
    am Veslan.”

    26
    J. C. Owens

    Anyar caught his breath and took in Tanyan's narrowed eyes.
    No title, no further introduction than name, yet this was Nazar's king.
    Tanyan met the king stare for stare. “What do you hope to achieve by this atrocity?” The
    tone was calm enough but laced with iron.
    Veslan raised a brow. “You are the heir to Melan. Did you think we would not find out?
    Your king has never announced it, but he would no more give his kingdom into the hands of his
    idiot son than give it to me.”
    Anyar, taken aback by this news, shot a look at Tanyan. Certainly such a thing had never
    filtered down to the wilds of Cewa, but then many things did not. But surely gossip would have
    hinted…
    Tanyan did not reply, but his lips thinned, neither confirming nor denying his enemy's
    claim.
    Veslan folded his arms over his chest. “Holding you gives us power over your country.
    They will not move against us, knowing that they will lose you, the last chance of a good king
    they have available.”
    “You cannot conquer our country by such tactics. We will never surrender to you for the
    sake of one man.” Tanyan's tone was pure ice.
    Veslan smiled then, a frightening sight, sharp teeth gleaming. “Who said anything about
    conquering?”
    There was silence then, Tanyan frowning in confusion. “Why, then?”
    “We tire of your country's predations on our borders and constant warfare we have no
    interest in. All we desire is that you leave us alone.”
    The disbelief that flashed across both Melanian faces was clear enough.
    Veslan shrugged, unconcerned with their attitudes. “You will see; your people will see. I
    care not for how this is done, only that it is. You will stay here with us for as long as need be. As
    long as they stay on their side of the border, you will be safe. If they refuse to see sense, then
    there will be a full-scale war. It is entirely their choice.”

    Wings
    27

    He turned away from Tanyan then, his eyes falling on Anyar with a far-different attitude.
    The young guard felt himself trying to shrink back against the wall as the king loomed over him,
    long fingers coming out to touch the black wings with fascination.
    “You were right, my son. He is exquisite.” Callused warrior's fingers cupped Anyar's chin,
    forced his face up so that the king could see deep into the golden eyes. “You are a lucky man,
    Vanyae, and if you tire of him, I will gladly take him from you. He will be worth a small fortune
    should you decide to sell him. It is a shame, though, to take his wings.”
    The envoy, obviously the prince Vanyae, frowned and stepped forward, unobtrusively
    setting himself between his father and Anyar. Laying his hand gently on the young Melanian's
    head and ignoring Anyar's glare of hatred and his attempt to twist away from the touch of both
    men, he answered, “I do not think I will tire of this one anytime soon.”
    Tanyan rose to his feet with a clank of chain, his fists clenched. “He is my guard. My
    responsibility. He is not to be harmed.”
    Veslan released Anyar's chin and turned to face the enraged commander. “He is whatever
    we say he is. Do not presume to test our patience with demands.” He gestured to one of the
    guards by the door, and moments later a thin figure stumbled in the door to quickly kneel