“What?”
Holding on to Tallis so I didn’t fall over from the rocking, I looked out the window. Sure enough, the alarm had been raised. The golems, which were a magical defense system, had been activated. Once the king triggered the system, the golems would raise the keep high, making it impossible for anyone to enter or leave on foot. A
horn blew, deep and bellowing. It continued to blow as the castle moved higher into the clouds. I felt dizzy and leaned forward.
My breaths coming too quickly.
Everything hurt.
My thoughts were swimming.
Removing myself from Tallis, I gripped the windowsill, breathing in and out. The night air brushed against my hot cheeks.
Tingling started in my hands and crept up my arms. A strange sensation whirled through my head.
“Moira,” Tallis whispered, and pulled me onto his lap.
When did we go to the floor?
“Moira, look at me.”
We were so close, our noses almost touching. Cold hands held my face. Sweet breath washed over me.
Bright white lights blinked in and out of my vision like tiny will-o-wisps.
“Moira,” he said, louder this time, his voice fuzzy in my ears as if we were underwater.
Gazing into his light eyes, I tried to focus on his face. Blinking back the distortion, I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
Nausea filled my belly.
With frantic eyes, he spoke, holding me close.
Then everything faded into darkness, and I couldn’t hear him anymore.
Chapter Ten
Tallis
I carried Moira to the bedand laid her down. Touching her cheek, her skin warmed and she breathed heavily. This was all too much for her. Pulling back the covers, I tucked my queen in.
This was a disaster.
Standing back, I ran my hands down my face, thinking of a way out of this situation. Though I didn’t voice the truth, I knew when the death priest inspected the stab wound, he would see the unique shape, only able to be made with a crescent-shaped weapon. The queen’s moon blades were well known throughout the palace.
I need the king to believe the story. It’s the only way to get Moira out of this.
My queen lay on her bed, asleep, and though it pained me to leave her, I needed to get ahead of this story. Meet with the king before any accusations were made and discover what the witches told him. If we were lucky, they would not mention the queen. Moira was well loved by the court and convincing them she was a murderer would not be a simple task.
This would work out. It had to.
Her guards had yet to return. I whistled, knowing that one would at least be close by. “Where are those damn pixies when I need them?”
“Are you talking about us again, Tallis?” I swung around to see Anna, Olivia, and Ella fluttering down the hall.
I opened the door and waved them inside.
“What happened?” Anna asked.
