– When my father died, my mother and I had to leave the palace. By that time, my father's consort had died of a rare disease, and a couple months after we were banished from the palace, my mother died of the same disease. The throne went to the rightful heir, and the first thing he did was banish me. My brother always saw me as a threat. He only gave me a few hours to leave the kingdom, or I would be publicly executed. But I loved Emmerlend too much to leave, and hid in the mountains for as long as I could. But my presence there became known to Jakub, and I was forced to flee to preserve my life.
– Does Derek know who you really are? – I asked the question that had been plaguing me.
– Derek Merkswerd is a man of honor, but he's on good terms with my brother, and if he knew who I was, he'd turn me over to him.
– You're so sure of that?
– I'm sure.
– Then the other question is, does anyone in Kaldwind know that you are the brother of the King of Emmerlend?
– Only one soul knows, but she would never betray me," Evans smiled broadly. – It was she who arranged my escape and, without your husband's consent, gave me a place as court physician.
– Andrada? – I said in surprise, not believing my ears.
– I see you're surprised," Evans said cheerfully and laughed softly. – Besides, it was Andrada who asked me to accompany you on this quest. I mean, you're not the first person to tell me about King Derek's illness.
– And I'm incredibly grateful to her for doing it," I smiled softly. All my grudges against Evans were forgotten. But how many interesting Ц were revealed to me! – But you and Andrada have a close relationship, don't you think? I thought your only friend was Astrid.
– Andrada is not my friend. She's more of a mentor, a teacher. In the brief time I've spent in Sturfjell, she's taught me a lot.
– But you said Alviss was your mentor.
– Yes, of course, while I lived in the mountains. I escaped there when I was thirteen, and I went to town almost every day to learn wisdom from that old mage… It's a shame he's so adamantly opposed to our journey. The way we treated him, after all he'd done for me…" Evans didn't finish, but he grimaced and squeezed my palm harder.
– Okay. But what about Astrid? – I asked.
– Astrid… There's more to her than gratitude and magic," the healer said, resting his head on the bed. – We met when we were both eighteen. She was hiding in the darkest streets of the city, but I found her and took her into my home. We loved each other. We were lovers…
"I knew it!" – I smiled understandingly.
– … but after two years of relationship I lost romantic feelings for her and she became more like a sister to me than a lover. But she didn't accept my decision and got terribly angry… She destroyed half the artifacts I had in my house…" Evans sighed heavily. – And then she ran away, and I didn't see her until the moment she suddenly appeared before our eyes....
– You're full of surprises, Evans Vallas," I smiled involuntarily. – Now I could see why she'd been so rude to me. She's jealous of you.
– And for nothing. You are madly beautiful and sweet, Sylvia, but I have no romantic feelings for you.
– That's good to hear," I said, relieved. – I think if it were otherwise, this quest would have become unbearable for both of us....
– Hey you, in the cell! – suddenly interrupted us by a loud stern shout, and, turning our heads, we saw a burly jailer jumping up to our glass prison. Beside him, to our great surprise, stood a huge golden-horned lion. – The king has ordered me to bring you to him. No jokes! I'll beat you without warning!
