The Kingmaker's Crown

The Wolf takes Regulus to a market square. They climb up the outside walls of a tavern, the Wolf climbing through a window in the thatched roof. Regulus was glad for his lessons in the moment, as he realised how quietly he now moved. Not as silent as the Wolf managed to be, but Regulus recalled his own clumsy movements. How in these past weeks, his body had learned more than just brutish swordplay. There was elegance now, weightlessness.  

The Wolf leads Regulus across the attic space, not so much as a creak from the old beams as they emerge on the other side, now with an open view of the market below. Regulus watches as the Wolf pulls himself up onto the thatching, climbing up and disappearing behind the chimney. Regulus is very glad for his muscled arms, thankful his regular routine includes pull ups and planks. Thankful, for the first time ever, as he uses that strength not just to force back an opponent in a duel, but to hoist his own body weight up and over. 

He settles next to the Wolf, resting against the chimney. Dizzy, from the adrenalin rush. 

“You haven’t lost any strength, I see,” the Wolf drawls. His fae heritage lent supernatural strength to the Wolf, meaning his arms remain lithe and thin while Regulus’ bulge slightly. 

“I have actually,” Regulus mumbles, all too aware of the burning in his arms. The Wolf is standing, the chimney tower stops at his waist, leaving him with ample viewing space. “What are we doing up here?”

“We received information that a messenger is coming from Prince Lucius. We need to intercept it.” As he speaks, the Wolf pulls the crossbow off his back, leveling it into his hands. Regulus realises what he means by intercept. He takes a deep breath and rises to his full height again. The chimney comes up to Regulus’ elbows and he easily rests them on the brick. 

“What are we looking for?” Regulus asks, scanning the busy space below them. 

“I know,” the Wolf tells him. Regulus looks at him in question, and the Wolf offers him the crossbow. 

“Here. I want to see if you can figure it out.” Regulus hesitates just a second before taking it. He positions himself and the bow, where he feels confident that he has a target zone. 

“Bolts?” Regulus asks and the Wolf hands him one, carefully. 

“It’s poisoned, so don’t touch it,” he warns and Regulus scoffs, slipping the shaft into place. 

“That feels a bit extra, doesn't it? A crossbow bolt is already pretty lethal.” He feels rather than watches the Wolf shift, to lean lazily against the wall next to him. 

“The aconite means it doesn't have to be a lethal shot. As long as you pierce the skin you can kill them. It causes a heart attack in the bloodstream.” Regulus knows this, his heart is sore from his microdoses. “You think it’s bad for you, the folk are hyper reactive to it. The smallest drop inside the blood will cause death within hours. If it even touches their skin… Well.” 

The Wolf pulls back his sleeve and Regulus takes in the extensive scarring along his arms. 

“I’m half human, I had an allergic reaction to it. I broke out in what my mother assumed were hives where it touched me.” The Wolf taps the edge of his hand, where the scar tissue is darkest.  “Until it grew across my skin like vines. She ripped the blistered skin off me. Thought it was some magical parasite or what have you. It was not. Now I have scars.” 

Regulus can see the way the scarring streams up the Wolf’s skin, how it mirrors that on his face. It takes alot for one of the folk to scar. Regulus feels sick. 

“How old were you?” he mutters. The Wolf shrugs. 

“I can’t remember. But I know it was about 1926, because she begged the pharmacist for morphine and he told her he couldn't. I didn't understand, but I remember it because he looked at me with such pity. I checked later, it was the year they made it illegal to sell over the counter.” 

The Wolf shrugs lazily, grinning at Regulus as though it's just an old story. 

“How did you…” Regulus doesn't even know how to end the question, that much skin, ripped clean off. In the 1920’s. How he hadn't bleed out or died from infection. The Wolf’s face falters for a second. 

“My father. My mother left me on the shores of our waters and my father fetched me. Healed me. Kept me.” 

“I’m sorry,” Regulus whispers and the Wolf scoffs. 

“Sure, Reggie.” He jerks his head over the ledge. “Focus.” 

It doesn't take the messenger long to appear. Regulus isn't sure what about the girl draws his eye, she's in a servant's uniform. But she's moving a bit too fluidly. That's what he sees first, he thinks. 

But then he notices her gloves. 

Regulus doesn’t know a single servant who wears gloves. They impede the work and it isn't cold enough yet to need any. She’s cutting through the crowd too quickly for him to second guess himself. 

“That one,” he breathes and he can hear the pride in the Wolf’s voice when he replies. 

“Shoot.” 

Regulus hadn't even realised that he’d focused the crossbow on her already. He’d realised his finger was on the trigger but suddenly he’s staggering under the recoil. The Wolf’s hand on his arm, both securing him and yanking him down. They both slide flat onto the roof. They can hear the people below calling out but they stay low. The sun has long since set and they blend into the shadows well. 

“That was good,” The Wolf tells him in the darkness. Regulus’ heart is pounding in his chest and he feels dizzy again. 

“Thank you,” he replies, unsure what else to say. 

“Have you ever killed anyone before?” The Wolf asks. Regulus hesitates. Part of him wants to admit, part of him wants to boast. Most of him wants to sleep. Even with his nap it’s been a long day. 

“No,” he replies. The Wolf takes even longer to respond and Regulus knows he suspects him of lying.

“Most people throw up the first time.” Check, Regulus thinks. “Or cry.” Not yet. 

Regulus’ heart begins to return to its normal rhythm and Regulus realises, for the first time, how far he will go with this. In the space of hours he has taken two lives. 

“I'm impressed, you're skilled and sturdy. I didn't think you had it in you.” The Wolf teases, but Regulus remembers his Father’s dismissal too vividly and bites back.

“You don't know me.”

The Wolf chuckles, “Most of the gentry don't. Your brother wouldn't.”

Regulus thinks of his brother. Who had spent half an hour scrubbing mud from under his nails just hours ago because Regulus asked for help. “You don't know my brother then.”

A heavy silence stretches between them again before the Wolf speaks. “Why are you poisoning yourself?” 

The question surprises Regulus, but he’s not ashamed of the answer. “I’m human. I have to do more just to meet your base line. Yes, I can lie where you can’t, but at what cost? A strength you’re born with, I have to dedicate myself to replicate. I’m nothing.” 

Regulus feels the Wolf turn his head to look at him, but he keeps his eyes on the stars. He’s watching Sirius twinkle, comfort above wherever he finds himself. 

“I bet I know who made you think that,” The Wolf mutters darkly. “If humans were not valuable to the folk, then they wouldn't be stolen away like they are. Humans can be just as good as the folk at a lot of things, you’re good at this.” 

There is sincerity in his voice that Regulus hasn't heard before. “Although.. You'll never be as good as me, but that isn't because you're human.” 

Regulus chuckles softly before he replies. “I just need to be strong enough to defeat my enemies.”

“How many enemies does a 17 year old have?” 

“What they lack in numbers they make up in power,” Regulus grumbles, Prince James’ wicked grin flashing through his mind. 

“So dramatic.”

After a few minutes, the Wolf stirs and Regulus copies. They both rise to their feet, peering back over the chimney in their darkness. The square below is illuminated well; they can see the guards clearing the space, keeping people back. The guards are spreading out, looking for a culprit. Someone collects the body onto a stretcher and hurries it inside the building below them. 

“That’s handy,” Regulus mutters and the Wolf grins. 

“That’s preparation, Reggie.” 

The Wolf leads the way back into the attic space and they slip down the internal stairs of the building, into an empty side room. The body is resting on a table and the Wolf moves to it easily. 

“Do you think that Prince Tom will make a good king?” Regulus asks as he watches the Wolf frisk the corpse. As he studies the messenger, Regulus realises he knows her. He has seen her coming and going from his father’s estate several times. Why is Prince Lucius using his father’s spies? 

“No,” the Wolf says. Regulus blinks, having already forgotten what he said. “He could be great though - Fuck.” 

Regulus moves closer, the Wolf has ripped open Prince Lucius seal but the paper inside is blank. 

“What does that mean?” Regulus asks. 

“It means we’re being set up,” the Wolf tells him. 

Regulus hears it then, the footsteps in the corridor. He moves quickly, he runs across the room, throwing his crossbow into a chest of drawers before throwing himself back into the Wolf’s arms. Regulus yanks his own jacket off his chest and rips at the Wolf’s shirt, yanking his friend’s lips to his as he moans as loud as he can. The Wolf is frozen under him but as the door rips open behind them, he slips his hand - and the stolen, blank note - into Regulus' trousers, fingers resting on his arse cheek. Regulus turns to look behind him, letting his eyes droop drunkenly as he clumsily rolls his hips into the Wolf.

“This room is busy!” he pouts. 

“Disgusting,” the guard by the door spits. The two of them are dressed in Prince Lucius’ house uniform, but their weapons have drooped. They don’t see spies. They see two drunken lovers that snuck into the back. The Wolf’s fingers tighten on Regulus' waist. 

“Take your mortal whore elsewhere, we have official business here.” 

“Official business?” Regulus askes with a throaty purr. “I’ll be your official business.” 

He trips out of the Wolf’s grip and towards the guards. The one closest to him reaches out and shoves Regulus into the corridor. The Wolf appears behind him, scooping Regulus into his arms. 

“Bye!” Regulus waves, giggling. The guards remain outside the door, believing their trap to still be in play. He lets his body take a liquid form in the Wolf’s arms as they pass through the main tavern hall. Drunks and toddlers, same thing. 

As soon as they step into the shadows on the edge of the trees, the Wolf drops Regulus. 

“You’re heavy,” he tells him. 

Regulus grins, raising his arms to make guns with his biceps. “Muscle mass, baby.” 

“Disgusting.” 

Regulus laughs, so deeply and genuinely that it makes his chest hurt. The Wolf shakes his head. They're walking the path back now and Regulus hesitates, without letting himself question it, he darts off the path to retrieve his packed bag from its place behind the tree. He returns to the Wolf's side and begins to walk the route to the palace. Regulus doesn’t want to sleep in his bed tonight. 

“Did you speak to your brother?” the Wolf asks and Regulus frowns.

“About what?” 

The Wolf studies his bag for a second before shrugging. “That was impressive.” 

Regulus smiles. “Thank you.” 

“I thought we would have to fight our way out.” 

“The folk often don’t really see humans as… People. I know you know that. They either look at me like I'm nothing, like I'm disgusting or like I'm… Well. I look very human.” He gestures at his body and the way his hips curve. The muscles he loathes to cultivate. “It’s become easy as I get older to direct the look a certain way.” 

“Do you do that a lot?” the Wolf asks, there’s something hollow in his voice and Regulus can feel it echoed in his own gut. 

“Not… My father, Alphard.” Regulus clears his throat. “He has a lot of men. They see how he favours me, how he teaches me. They see me as… I don't think they see me as a threat, exactly. More like they think I'm stealing something they deserve, I guess. They resent me for it. I catch them staring with anger one too many times and I… Make myself seem less to them. I drop things and look vacant and doe eyed and stuff. My brother is really good at that, I think it’s because he is beautiful, he doesn't have to try, they just see him like that. They don't want to hurt him. They see my rotten heart when they look at me, they want to stamp it out. So I hide it I guess. I pretend to be beautiful too.” 

“Have they hurt you?” the Wolf asks. Regulus smiles maniacally. 

“Wanna know how I got these scars?”

The Wolf scoffs. 

“Who do you make these jokes to when I'm not here?” he asks, shaking his head.

“Myself, “ Regulus gins. 

The sun is creeping up on the horizon as they return to base. Regulus takes the bunk below the Wolf. He can hear the Wolf’s breathing in the darkness and Regulus asks softly. 

“Did you cry the first time?” 

After long enough that Regulus thinks he won't bother to, the Wolf responds. “No. He had it coming.”

Oh. 

“Reggie.” A hesitation. “She was a spy. She would have given it exactly the same amount of hesitation as you did if the roles had been reversed.” 

Regulus does not cry for the Duke. He does not cry for the spy. 

Because Regulus had not hesitated. This was the game. 

Regulus wakes several hours later to The Bandit perched on the foot of his bed fiddling with something, his butterfly wings twitching frantically. Regulus can feel the anxiety radiating off him. 

“You’re like an insane cat,” Regulus grumbles and B smiles. 

“Good afternoon. Will you come duel with me?” 

“Where’s the others?” Regulus mumbles, trying to stretch out on the bed, kicking up at B until he gets off the bunk with a huff. 

“Coronation prep. They don’t trust me with more information than that. I just do what I'm told.” There’s a tone to B’s voice that sounds alot like resentment. 

“Me too,” Regulus tells him. The coronation is the following evening and Regulus has no instructions. Attend with his family and be on hand if they need him. 

Regulus spends the day in the clearing with B, working through hand to hand. He goes to sleep in the same bunk. B slips into the bunk next to his. Neither Horti or the Wolf comes back to base all day. 

The morning of the coronation Regulus rises well before dawn, well rested and ready. He works through a quick practice with B, before heading back to Alphard’s. 

He doesn’t manage to enter unnoticed and winces as Alphard calls to him. 

“Regulus! I’ve been waiting for you, come here.”

Regulus does not want to enter his father’s office after the last time, especially not like this. He’s wearing a loose workout shirt that hangs to his thighs and off his shoulder with his leggings again, both from Andy’s trip to Lululemon. He’s covered in sweat from his drills and the jog home, but he can’t argue with his father today. 

Inside the room, Regulus finds his father leaning against the desk. Sirius is curled up in the arm chair in his bunny slippers and a deep red Juicy Couture track suit, clutching a mug of coffee with the words ‘Can’t today, I’m swamped’ stamped next to an image of Shrek wearing sunglasses. His hair is in heatless curls. He glares at Regulus who frowns at him. Is he still mad about the body? 

“You were out early,” Alphard states as Regulus halts in the doorway. 

“I was working out,” Regulus shrugs. Alphard studies him for a long moment before looking away.

“I know I have been distant lately. I know you are still displeased about the tournament.” Alphard moves, striding behind his desk and inspecting the items on it. Regulus can’t help the small step forward he takes, as he too takes them in. They’re both swapped but Regulus can guess that he’s looking at a longsword and a dagger. He exchanges a look with Sirius, who seems just as baffled. Regulus shifts until he’s leaning against the arm of his brother’s chair. Angled slightly between Alphard and Sirius. 

“I know you have both been spending more time away from home. I should not be surprised that this day has come and once tonight has passed, and the transition of power is complete.. I will be happy to meet your suitors.” 

Regulus wants to laugh. 

“Father,” Sirius begins and Regulus looks down, he had forgotten about his brother's pending marriage proposal. “My… Suitor already plans to ask your permission after the party.”  

The words make Regulus go cold all over. He watches the way Sirius seems to puff up as he gives their father the news. 

“Have you chosen someone advantageous, Sirius?” Regulus bites his lip to stop from scoffing. This, this will always be the line between them. Sirius will have fallen in love. Alphard will expect better. 

Sirius laughs nervously. 

“I… have chosen for love, father.” There’s hesitation as Regulus watches Alphard’s face purse. 

“But, I think you’ll be pleased.” Sirius adds, deflated. 

Funny, Regulus thinks, how they both know what Alphard wants from them and in spite of that, still hope to please him by being themselves. He will always be disappointed in them. That isn’t going to stop them hoping. Sirius’ addendum makes Regulus worried however. Who has his brother chosen to marry that will secure something of value for their father, and how did Sirius find them?

“And you, Regulus?” Alphard asks, turning his attention to Regulus, who blinks. 

Sirius laughs, “Regulus isn't seeing anyone.”

Regulus kicks him. 

“Shut up, I am seeing someone but…” He grimaces and turns back to Alphard, “I wouldn’t call him a suitor yet, father.”

“What!?” Sirius demands, sitting up. Regulus looks at him with a frown but Alphard continues. 

“You seem to be spending your nights with him, I would like to meet him.

Regulus bites the inside of his cheek. He wants to argue, but someone knocks heavily on the door. 

“One moment!” Alphard calls, he takes a deep breath and addresses them again,  “Tonight marks the end of an era for Elfhame, and for our family. Before that happens I wanted to give you both your inheritance.” 

“Our inheritance?” Sirius asks, but Alphard smiles. 

“From your… Orion.” From their dad. Regulus and Sirius both stand up, approaching the desk with urgency now. Sirius puts his mug down onto the wood. Regulus can’t help the way his eyes drop to the splash of liquid, seeping into the wood, just like his blood had. 

“As you know, Orion was a master smith, brought to Elfhame for a skill that few possessed. His work is more sought after than even the folk’s most talented smiths.” Alphard carefully unwraps the shorter blade and Regulus leans forward. An ornate dagger in a ruby red sheath glitters in the sunlight streaming through the window. Golden lions are notched into the ruby encrusted hilt.

“I have kept these pieces for you, for when the time was right.” Alphard raises the dagger and holds it out. “For Sirius, who’s skills lie in the subtle arts.” 

Regulus bites the inside of his cheek and catches the, almost guilty, look from Sirius as his brother takes the dagger reverently. 

“And for Regulus, who is a force to be reckoned with.” 

It’s a compliment, but there's a tone on the undercurrent that sounds like condescension. A force to be reckoned with. His father had no idea. The wrapping falls away and Regulus’ breath catches. It's stunning, with an emerald green leather scabbard and a matching grip. The loop guard is shaped into iron ivy leaves, twisting up to the pommel. 

Regulus’ hands tremble as he lifts the sword from Alphard’s hands. With a deep breath he pulls the weapon free, weighting it in his hands. The grip rests into his hand with ease, it’s the perfect length for him. 

“It’s perfectly weighted,” he whispers, delight and awe crashing over him as he tosses the blade into his nearly healed hand.  

“Of course it is,” Sirius bites from next to him. Regulus spares him a confused look before Alphard speaks again. 

“I must send you on your way now, there is much to finalise before the party.” Alphard strides around the desk, ushering the twins out of his office. Regulus struggles to sheath the sword while being shooed out. He and Sirius stumble into the hallway and Alphard steps back to allow the uniformed males outside in. Regulus notices that they’re not all Alphard’s house guards, but another.

The door shuts firmly in their faces and Regulus blinks, bewildered again. Sirius turns to him. 

“What do you mean you're seeing someone?” he demands and Regulus reaches out to take the coffee mug, snatching it from Sirius’ hand as Regulus begins to head upstairs. 

“Hey!” Sirius yells, jogging after him.

“What do you care?” Regulus asks around a glug of lukewarm coffee. 

“I care because.. You didn't tell me!” Sirius stammers, hot on Regulus’ heels on the way to their rooms. 

“Jeez, Sirius. Stop yelling.” They're on the landing now and Andy’s door creaks open, their sister peering out at them. 

“Hello stranger!” Regulus calls. 

Andy comes and goes from Elfhame as she chooses, now of age, Alphard cannot control her. Regulus has been out a lot recently and with Andy’s sojourn everywhere the wind took her, the siblings have been like ships in the night lately. She smiles warmly at him and opens her door more fully, leaning against the frame to watch them. Her hair is the same dark shade as theirs, cut into a mullet with a rainbow of colour stained into it. With her vibrant cat’s eyes and pointed fae ears, she looks like some teenage boy's manic pixie wet dream, a true icon. 

“No, no hey stranger. Who have you been staying with, Regulus? What have you been doing?” Unwilling to have his brother start yelling about how many blowjobs Regulus has received, he glares at Sirius and steps closer to him. 

“Sirius -” 

“You owe me for last night!” Sirius demands and Regulus groans. 

“Yes, alright, it’s not a big deal, okay! I’ve just been hanging out with the Duke, you know,” Regulus assures him. Sirius goes pale. 

“What?”

Regulus frowns, “Sirius, you know he’s been flirting with me?” 

“The Duke?” Andy asks, “Sirius’ Hottie McDuke?” 

“Andy, shut up, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” Sirius glares at her and she throws her hands up. Sirius takes a step closer to Regulus. “No, he’s just playing with you. I heard him tell you it was just a game.” 

Sirius sounds so earnest and Regulus takes a step back  

“Sure, he says that about a lot of stuff, but he keeps pursuing me so he must mean it a bit,” Regulus shrugs. 

“No,” Sirius says and Regulus shakes his head slightly. Andy takes a step closer. 

“Sirius, I know you’re disappointed but-” 

“SHUT UP, ANDY!” Sirius yells. 

“Did you fuck him?” he asks, looking at Regulus again, searching his eyes for something. 

“I mean… I guess that depends on what you mean by-” 

Sirius slaps him across the face. 

“Sirius!” Andy rushes forward, grabbing at Regulus who staggers back, but Sirius’ footsteps disappear into his bedroom and Regulus is left reeling. 

“Are you okay?” Andy asks him and Regulus huffs. 

“Confused,” he admits. Andy hums, peeling his hand off his face to inspect the mark. 

She winces. “That’s left a mark. Did you want to get ready together? I can help you cover it before the party?”

“Are you going?” he asks, surprised. She looks well. There’s a twinkle in her eye and a bruise on her shoulder that he suspects might be salacious. 

She nods. “Of course, I need to support Pandora before I... Let’s talk in your room.” 

Regulus shrugs. “I need to bathe and change but then I’m off. I have a friend to see.” 

“Mysterious,” Andy laughs. 

She helps him draw the bath and then washes his hair for him, like she did when they first came to Elfhame, before they taught Kreacher how to handle their hair. Andy tells Regulus tales of where she’s been. Tells him of the boy she met in the cafe. The human boy.

When his hair is washed and he’s scrubbed away at his body, he pulls on his joggers and a t-shirt. Andy sits on his bed and combs out his hair. She tells Regulus how funny the guy is, with his job as a football coach. She talks about his house plants and his one-eyed cat called Moody. She tells him about the way he stopped a mugger when he walked her home one day and how she had never seen anything so brave, a fact Regulus knows to be false. Andy wraps his hand for him, applying the paste without questioning him. She ties the wrapping together and takes his hand in hers with a deep breath.

“I love him, Reggie,” she whispers into the humid air, steam still curling in from the bathroom.  Regulus squeezes her hand in his. 

“Are you leaving us?” he whispers. He isn't surprised. Andromeda has always hated Fairy. She who fits so effortlessly wants nothing more than to leave. He hates her for it. But his eyes are burning with the realisation that she’s leaving him. That he’s going to have to go through what’s coming without his sister. A bit of relief too, that she’ll be free of this. 

“I - Reggie. You didn't become a knight.” It seems like such a jump to him that he recoils slightly. 

“No, I didn't?” he replies, dumbfounded.

“So… I’m sorry but, you didn’t get your dream.” Regulus frowns, okay bitch? 

Andy raises her brows at him. “So come with me!” 

Oh.

Regulus inhales sharply. Andromeda thinks he’s given up. She doesn't know. 

“When are you going?” he asks. 

“At the end of the week. The coronation should last a few days. I want to be there for Pandora, she won't be crowned but still it's a big day. One last hurrah.” 

“Can I… Think about it? I have a feeling I can't shake about the next few days. Something is coming. I want to see what happens.” 

He wishes he was lying. But as Regulus takes the now familiar route to the palace in his hoodie, a garment bag and a refilled backpack in hand, the twisting feeling in his gut is hard to ignore. 

When he enters the base, he finds it completely deserted apart from the Bandit. The spy is sat at the table scowling, using his blade to carve something into the wood. He looks up as Regulus enters and grins.

“Hey! You have a mission or something?” he asks and Regulus wrinkles his nose. 

“No, just go to the party. Can you help me with this?” Regulus makes a vague gesture at himself and B laughs gleefully. 

“You mean the slap mark or the whole thing?”

“Can you make me feel hot?” Regulus asks.

“I thought you’d never ask.”