Why am I even thinking these forbidden thoughts? We need to get moving.
“So, what’s the plan, your majesty?” I said, changing the tone a little bit and creating some much-needed distance between us.
“Right,” she said, clearing her throat and tearing away from me. “This transporter rod will take us directly to a haven. It’s an old, abandoned crone tower where we can wait and then someone will retrieve us and bring us to the Lich King.”
“How long?”
“Soon, I hope. The tower is accessible through a door that can only be ported into, but the message was that when we arrived the burst of magic would trigger a notification to the Lich King and they would know we were there.”
“Are you sure about this? There are other ways to go about killing a dragon.”
“I know, but we don’t have time and I will never rest unless I know Kane is protected. If something happens to me . . .”
“Nothing is going to happen to you.”
“I killed Bianca in a rage. The witches will retaliate, and Kyros is unstable. If Kane is immortal, nothing can hurt him.”
“What about what Kane wants?”
She didn’t answer the question. Instead, she held up the transporter rod. “Are you ready?”
Chapter Thirteen
Moira
“No but lead on, your majesty.”
I eyed him, warming at the way he said my name in that soft tone, and then swirled the portal open. A dusty stony chamber awaited us, barely a flicker of moonlight coming in through an open window.
Holding out my hand, Tallis took it, and we stepped through.
I coughed as dust flew up my nose. The musty air made me question my decision to come here. The portal winked out behind us.
Tallis left my side, gripping the hilt of his sword. He opened the door to our right and we exited, leaving the empty musty room and entering an old lab. Cobwebs hung from the ceiling and covered the beakers. Broken glass coated the floor near a long dusty table. Cloudy jars filled with tiny, disfigured creatures, eyes, and body parts I pretended not to see, packed the shelves. A wooden chair with a cushion, the only seat in the entire room, sat next to an old desk covered in dust. Tallis took the cushion off the seat and slapped it in the air, removing the dirt before putting it back on the chair.
“Sit,” he said, and I did. “What now? We just wait?”
“I guess,” I replied.
“For how long?”
“Hopefully, not too long.”
“I’m going to check the rest of the tower and make sure there are no other visitors in here.”
“I’m coming with you.” I stood and he eyed me.
“It’s better if you sit and stay here, your majesty.”
“Yourmajesty,”I said, eyeing him. “Prefers not to be alone in a dark tower and would like to stay by her very capable bodyguard.”
With that, his mouth curved up to the side. “Very well. Let’s go through here.”
With him taking the lead, I stepped behind him, grabbing his hand.
The hall had no lanterns or windows to let in the moonlight. Nothing but blackness descended the stone stairs.
“We should probably stay here.” I gripped Tallis’ warm hand within both of mine.
