Farron sneers but stays quiet.
“The second team,” my father continues, “will be waiting to get Anya when the chain reaction breaks her cage.”
“Oh yes, traversing the deadly labyrinth in the pits of the Below,” Caspian says. “I’m sure you’ll have lots of volunteers for that.”
“I’ll go,” Keldarion says. “The Queen cursed me because I dishonored my role as the Protector of the Realms. I will defend her husband at all costs.”
Warmth swirls within me at the protectiveness in Kel’s voice.
“I’ll go with them,” I say.
Caspian levels me a glare, then slowly uncrosses his boots and stands, looking down on me. “Too bad for you, Princess. You haven’t heard my one condition for offering my help.”
“What is that?”
“If there is to be a foolhardy rescue, you are not going.”
“That’s bullshit.” I wave my arms in the air, looking at the rest of the princes for support. “If my mother is in the Below, I have to go find her.”
Caspian just sits back down, crossing his legs and looking bored. “Then find someone else to help.”
Anger bubbles within me.
“Rose,” Keldarion says, “it will be dangerous. I know you could handle it, but the Queen’s magic lives in you. You’re the Vale’s final hope.”
“I have barely a fraction of the Queen’s magic,” I say, even though I understand his reasoning. “My bow was the most powerful thing I had, and Kairyn stole that.”
Dayton perks up for the first time all evening. “Then take it back.”
“How would I do that?”
His smile is dazzling. “By winning Kairyn’s games. Enter with me in disguise, and we’ll win your bow. Once it’s in your hands, you can use it to take down Kairyn and the Nightingale.”
“Ezryn is in Summer,” Keldarion says. “He’s searching for you. Return to Summer with Dayton and find Ez. The three of you can work on liberating Summer while we rescue the Queen.”
Despite the sense of this plan, I can’t help casting a glare at Caspian simply because I don’t like being told what to do.
Keldarion looks down at Dayton, tone serious. “Take Wrenley with you as well. You know what you need to do to reclaim your realm.”
Dayton’s only answer is a tight nod.
“Good,” Caspian says. “Glad we’ve got that all figured out.”
“If Ezryn were here, he’d tell me this was all a ploy to lure the High Princes to the Below,” Keldarion says softly.
Caspian’s smile darkens. “If Ezryn were here, he’d try and remove my head from my shoulders.”
The thought of Ezryn hating Caspian so much makes my stomach twist into knots. Though to be fair, I’d felt my own fair share of rage against Caspian earlier.
“I can take Farron down with me by thorns,” Caspian says, “but the only way through the labyrinth is to walk. You’ll find your magic will dwindle the closer you get to her enclosure. You can find your way there from a path at the very bottom of the Great Chasm.”
“Good thing I’ve never needed magic on my adventures,” my father says with a twinkle in his eye.
“Let us say the plan works. How do you suggest we escape once we’ve freed the Queen?” Keldarion asks.
“With this.” Caspian pulls a small seed from his breast pocket. “Plant this and it’ll return you to Castletree.”
Keldarion takes the seed carefully, tucking it away. “We’re counting on you.”
