“What were you doing with him?” Tallis asked.
“I woke up and he was in my bed. He hasn’t been in my bed in months, not since those witches came. What were you doing in his room?”
“His guards said he was making strange noises and they heard Stephani scream. I went to check, but by the time I had gotten there, he was gone.” Tallis took my hands in his hand, gripping them tight. “I found something out.”
His voice dropped even lower, and I didn’t like the anger in his eyes.
“What is it?”
“The princess was poisoned.”
My legs shook and Tallis moved a hand to my waist, keeping me steady. “There’s more.”
Keeping my breaths even, I nodded for him to continue.
“The king admitted to me he was with Laoise that afternoon and the candy that was poisoned . . . he had given it to her.”
Trembling, I leaned against the wall. “He poisoned her then admitted it?”
Tallis placed both hands on my waist, holding me up. “He believes she choked. I went to his room to give him a chance to explain.”
“He could’ve killed you! No, he’s utterly mad. We have to go now. I can’t trust him. He’s a murderer and I’m afraid that soon he will demand me to bring Kane home. I will die before I bring my son to him.”
“Give me time to find out where he got the candy from.”
“And then what? The Magi Council won’t help us. No, I have all the evidence I need. It’s my responsibility to save our kingdom.” I raced over to my desk and pulled out a little bell, then rang it outside the window. A few minutes later three droopy-eyed pixies flew into the room.
“It’s late,” Anna said with a yawn as she and her sisters landed on the bed.
“I have to glamor Olivia.”
“What do you mean,glamorOlivia?” Tallis hissed behind me.
“I mean exactly what I say. Now make yourself useful and get me traveling clothes.” I moved to Olivia, who stretched out on the blanket, eyes blinking open. “Olivia, I’m going to need you to do something for me. I’m going to glamor you to look like me. Tallis and I have to go somewhere.”
“How soon will you return?” Olivia sat up, rubbing her eyes.
“Soon,” I said.
Tallis came back over holding out a dress and cloak. “I don’t understand. How will this work?”
“We’ve done it before. My magic will hold, but no more than a fortnight.” Turning to Tallis, who frowned at me. “Olivia will stay in my quarters. No one will question it. But we have to go now. You can fly us out of here. And as soon as we’re far enough away, I can take us to where we need to go.”
“Your majesty, I don’t agree with this,” Tallis grumbled. “We should stay here and continue—”
“Of course you don’t, but you’ll come along anyway.” I snatched the clothes out of his hand and ran into the washroom to quickly change into the cotton dress and hooded cloak.
I then found my boots and I laced them.
Olivia sat on the bed, twirling her dark hair around her finger.
“Are you ready?” I asked.
She nodded and sat straight on the bed. With a snap of her fingers, her body shifted until her and I were the same height. I touched her hand and closed my eyes, grabbing my magic and feeling the tingles through my body. I visualized Olivia as me. The sharp silver eyes, long hair, even the tiny scar on the bottom of my cheek.
When I finished and opened my eyes, I stared back at myself.
“I don’t believe it,” Tallis said behind me. “How many times have you done this?”
