“This thing has extra lives?” Zara asked, her tone incredulous.
“Essentially, yes. Every day it grows stronger, and then it will take an entire army to stop it.”
We had to stop it now. It was our only chance. Zara caught my eye and nodded once, so I knew she had come to the same conclusion.
“Your king threatened the emperor with war if he didn’t break his alliance with Ozul,” Talon said, “but would he be willing to aid us in destroying the creature?” Maybe with this king’s army, Zara wouldn’t have to risk herself.
“It would take my king and his army at least a month to arrive,” Caelen said. “By then, Ozul will be far too powerful, and the battle against him will claim countless lives.”
Not to mention, we would have run out of time before the looming wedding date. I gritted my teeth in frustration, but Zara’s face looked resigned.
“Then tell your king we are seeking a solution to the problem,” Zara said.
“Yes, Future Empress,” Caelen said with a bow.
“We will leave you now,” I told him, my mind already racing to the monumental problem ahead.
Caelen hesitated. “You aren’t going to throw me in the west wing?”
“Not when you’ve done so much to help us.” I stared him down for a moment. “I expect to be informed when you hear from your king.”
“Yes, sir,” Caelen said, and he seemed relieved. Probablybecause I wasn’t going to sacrifice him to the Devourer like the other servants.
Zara and I walked to the door.
“I must speak with Shazeera before we do anything else,” Zara said, her expression determined. “She needs to know what we plan to do.”
“Of course,” I said. “I’ll go there with you now.”
We made our way through the quiet hallways. Zara stayed close to me, and I could feel the warmth of her body while every breath brought the sweet scent of cinnamon. Now, more than ever, I wished I could take her away from here. But instead, soon I would take her to the pits of hell. A cold weight settled in my chest, pressing down harder with every breath.
In that moment, I hated my cousin for putting us in this position. For Zara having to risk her life. And for my having to let her.
31
Zara
Shazeera, as it turned out, had been desperate to see me since last night. She had sensed the attack through our bond and was terrified for me. But anytime she asked Zamir to seek me out through the communication system her guards had created for her, Zamir wouldn’t leave her post.
The moment I stepped out of the palace and into the pasture, she galloped toward me, blowing hard, her sides lathered with sweat. Zamir immediately went over to Talon and saluted him, and then they began to talk in hushed tones. Talon was no doubt briefing her on everything that had happened and what was still to come, but I could only focus on Shazeera.
Thank the Earth Mother,Shazeera said, closing her eyes and lowering her head over my shoulder in a hug.I could feel that you were in terrible danger and being hurt, but I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t even talk to you!
The guilt that crashed down over me was like being crushed under an avalanche.I’m so sorry,I told her, hugging her around the neck tightly.I didn’t realize you would be able to sense the attackat such a distance. I would have come here immediately afterward to tell you I was okay if I’d known.
Yes, you should have,Shazeera said, bumping me angrily with her nose.When I feared you were unconscious and bleeding on the floor. What happened?
I told her about Raven’s attack in the night and how she was no longer the girl I knew, but a walking corpse. Shazeera’s eyes rolled in terror, revealing the whites around the normally dark brown irises.
Earth Mother, save us,Shazeera said, her entire body quivering with her instincts telling her to run.
I told her of the Mistral king’s letter and finding the spy, and then I took a deep breath and launched into our plan to destroy the Devourer while it was still weak.
And when were you going to tell me this plan?she demanded, eyes flashing and ears pinned back as she stomped her hoof.
I’m telling you now,I said sheepishly and then winced when she let out an angry squeal of rage.
So I’m just supposed to wait here, safe in the pasture, while you take on this threat without me? Wondering if you made it out alive?
