Kit contemplated the king. “That’s not in any book.”
Caius knew she was right, but he refused to give up hope. “You’ve been a great help, Miss Cooper,” he replied, ignoring her question. “If you remember anything else, please let us know.”
She nodded and followed Sam to the door, hesitating before turning back. “If you have someone who can cross into Erdikoa with their memories.” Her eyes slipped to Sam. “Then ask my parents. They’re two of the best historians in the realm.”
Caius smiled tightly. “Thank you, Miss Cooper.”
She gave a curt nod and stepped around Sam to see herself out, and Caius held back a laugh when Sam glared after her.
Shortly after, Caius left through the side door to his office, breathing in deep. With his eyes closed, he called on the shadows in the dark room, imploring them to give him the answers he desperately needed.
They snaked around him, their cool caress encasing him fully ashe focused on the power filling his body. He would break the magic holding him here, and then he would kill Gedeon.
Failure wasn’t an option.
7
Kit grabbeda table at the bar, waiting for Bellina and Cat to arrive. She couldn’t get the conversation with the king out of her head. She also couldn’t help but notice that he didn’t leave Vincula with Rory, despite not letting her out of his sight ever since Nina tried to have her killed.
The information he sought must be important, and tomorrow, she would comb through the library’s catalog for anything promising.
A woman’s voice startled her, and she glanced over her shoulder. “Hello, dear.”
Rory’s mother, Lenora, appeared next to the table. They’d been introduced briefly by the legion commander, but she’d not seen her since. “Hi, Ms. Raven.”
Lenora waved her hand. “Please, call me Lenora. May I join you?”
“Of course.” Kit waved toward another chair, telling her, “Bellina and Cat should be here soon.”
Lenora perked up. “That little curly-headed one is something else, isn’t she?”
A snort escaped Kit before she could stop it. “You could saythat.” When they were introduced to Lenora, Cat asked her how it felt to go crazy and come back.
“Would you like another drink, dear?” Lenora indicated Kit’s almost empty glass.
“I can get both of ours,” Kit offered as she stood.
Lenora pushed her chair back and motioned for Kit to sit. “The king gave me unlimited credits.”
She accepted the gift better than Rory had, Kit thought with a chuckle. “Thank you. I’ll have a brandy and lemon-lime soda, please.”
Lenora grabbed Kit’s glass and walked off, returning shortly with a server holding a tray of shots.
“What’s this?” Kit asked, eyeing the tiny glasses of liquor.
Lenora set their drinks down and began unloading the tray. When she was done, the server smiled and left. “They’re shots.” She held up her beer, motioning for Kit to clink her glass with the bottle. “Cheers!”
There were four shots, and when Lenora saw Bellina and Cat weaving through the crowd, she lifted her hand to flag them down.
“Hey, Lenora,” Cat said, going in for a hug.
Lenora smiled and handed Cat a shot. “It’s nice to see you girls again.”
She passed a shot to Bellina, and the seamstress stared at it before smiling. “I knew I liked you.”
The women sat, and Kit reached for her shooter as Lenora held hers up and said, “To the king being a dumbass.” She threw it back as the other three stared with wide eyes.
Cat shrugged. “Hear! Hear!” She threw hers back and scrunched up her face.
