“No, thanks.” The only people in my life were Ro and my brothers, and none of them currently had a mailing address. “I won’t be able to find them with a letter.”
Melody awkwardly retracted her outstretched hand. “I’m sure you’ll find them.”
Sweet sentiments only served to warm a worried heart, but the cold reality was I didn’t know if my brothers had evaded capture. The convoy sent south would have reached Basemount days ago on horseback. For all I knew, I might be too late. Or Basemount could still be polluted with members scouring the town, knocking down every door.
Rumors of magic caught like kindling in this kingdom, and I doubted The Order members would be willing to leave empty-handed. But this time, I was fully prepared to slaughter every single one of them in pursuit of my brothers.
Too long I’d spent infiltrating, gathering intel in secret. Now was the time for action. After all, just as Ro had experienced, I could lose those which I loved within a heartbeat. I became determined that neither Ro nor I would feel that loss again.
I stood at the docks, monitoring from afar. Melody and Tio had snuck onto a cargo ship headed down the Splits. Stress melted from me when the crew unfastened the ropes and began to depart. If they were discovered, they were likely the only magic wielders on the ship and could handle themselves. By morning, the ship would restock at Highcrest’s harbor, and they would be in their kingdom again.
The king and queen would have received their correspondence by then. Fate finally aligned herself with us, and I glanced toward the heavens with an approving stare.
Then I made my way to Basemount.
67
Ro
Ihated this castle.
Hated what it stood for.
The man inside.
Hated that my final moments would be this cold, unforgiving tomb. What I didn’t hate, however, was that I would die protecting those I loved and cared for most, let alone the entire continent. If ever there was a purpose worth dying for, it was this.
My arms already bruised from where the soldiers gripped their fingers with unrelenting force. We marched along the polished stone floors, as hard and immovable as the man that sat upon his gilded throne. As grand as the castle was, and spacious, I found myself hating that it wasn’t bigger. That I couldn’t have just a few more steps before meeting my fate.
Pangs of armor clanking against armor screeched loudly in my ears with every jostled step until finally we reached the dais. My escorting guards knelt, forcing me down with them. The silence was all-consuming.
“Ah, my little spy. I have to be honest, Ro, I didn’t think you’d make it back.”
Unlike you, I honor my bargains,I thought.
When I remained quiet, one of the guards shook me violently in warning. Seconds continued ticking by, stretching just the way I needed them to, until I finally said, “I’ve come to share what I’ve discovered. The Order in the north is preparing for war. With the dark magic they wield, Windguard will stand no chance when they decide to strike.”
He huffed in disbelief, casting the idea away with a frivolous wave of his hand. “My army is the largest on the continent. Several continents, actually. We’ve conquered magic wielders before, I harbor no doubts that we will succeed again. Besides, I know how to handle those with magic.” He had the nerve to chuckle, his guards joining in. “Once those Order members venture down this way, the iron-laced food will dampen their power. The only reason it doesn’t now is because I supply them with burdock root. But you see, I am in control of when that runs out.”
My lips peeled from my teeth. “You’re poisoning your own people?” That was why the locals had been getting sick, like Kasia's husband. How The Order targeted and snatched those showing the signs. Why Braxius and the horses had been quiet on my journey north, because I’d been dosed with iron, and it’d quieted my ability. Iron dampens magic when worn or held, I could only imagine the havoc it wreaksinsidemagical blood after prolonged exposure. The king and those around him seemed to draw joy from seeing my horrified realization.
“Your arrogance will be the fall of your kingdom.” I spat at the floor and my nose wrinkled with hate.
The laughter stifled.
“Anything else other than your pitiful little warning?” the king asked, boredom striking his slim, angled features.
My nerves built by the second. “Yes.” I paused, tossing in every effort to prolong this interaction.
The king shared glances between his staff, some of them feeding him grapes. “Well, would you like to share with the class, or do you need a formal invitation?”
Snickers from ostentatiously dressed members of his court echoed in the great room.
“I didn’t just come to warn you about the power that I’ve seen, about the threat that is coming to your towns.”
Another grape was placed in his mouth by someone who looked at him as if he was a god. “Yes, yes. We’ve been over that,” the king tutted.
“I came to offer counsel,” I said, raising my chin.
