Tears formed in her eyes, shimmering like pearls in the dim light. “Exactly that. They’ve all been officially charged. It was announced today in the Jaggedston Herald. It said they have irrefutable proof, and the whole city now knows.” A tear fell onto her cheek. “The prince, my husband, and all of our friends will be going to trial in the coming weeks before a King or Queen Justice.”
The ground swayed beneath me, and I reached a hand to the alley’s wall to steady myself. Just as fast, I pulled myself up straight. No, I wouldn’t allow that to happen. I would save them.
I swallowed the dryness in my throat and gripped Saramel’s hands in an iron-tight hold. All day I’d been able to think of what I needed to do, and now the time was finally upon me.
“Saramel, this is very important. Do you know what scholar Jax consulted about lorafins? He always knew so much about my kind, yet I never asked him how he’d acquired his knowledge.”
Her eyes turned to saucers, and she nodded vigorously. “Yes, of course. Nellip accompanied him on that journey. The prince went to the Isle of Song to ask what the great scholars there knew of how to locate someone who couldn’t be found.”
The Isle of Song.Of course.The island off the east coast of our continent held the most prestigious university and library of our land. Our continent’s greatest scholars lived there.
“That makes sense.” Hands trembling, I released her and grabbed some food and drink from the pack. I quickly ate a few bites and took a few drinks. “And what about Bastian? Did you know he’s staying in the enchanted chambers? Has anyone?—”
“He’s fine.” She laid a hand on my arm, and some of my trembling stopped. “Nellip told me you brought him back, before the kingsfae came and took him.” She looked down, and her aura fluttered with grief. “I checked on Bastian this morning, and he asked for a looking glass, so I brought him one. Obviously, he’s as worried as us, but at least he has Anna now to talk to, even if he can’t reveal any details about the prince to her.”
“Thank the stars.” I sagged in relief. “I was concerned he’d be trapped and alone in the palace forever.”
“No, he won’t be, but Nellip said it’s not safe for him to return home yet. Do you know when it will be?”
“No, I don’t, but Nellip’s right. It’s not safe for him right now. He needs to stay in the chambers for the time being.” I took another bite of the cold ham she’d brought as I mulled over the other looming problem that had been in the back of my mind—King Paevin. He was still capturing half-breeds and planning to build an army. He needed to be stopped, but for the life of me, I didn’t know how I could stop a king while also trying to free my mate, unless I...
I nearly dropped the ham I was chewing.
“Of course! I can doboth!” I quickly chewed another bite of food. “Oh stars, Saramel. I just had the biggest revelation.” I quickly stuffed the rest of the ham into my mouth and chewed vigorously. “But I have to go. I have so much to do. But are you able to look after Bastian? I know you’re already dealing with so much, and I hate to ask that but?—”
“Yes.” She squeezed me. “It’s all right, Elowen. I’ll take care of him. Please don’t worry about the prince’s brother.”
I nodded curtly and finished consuming the food and drink, then fished a portal key from the pack. “I have to go.”
Saramel canted her head. “Where are you going?”
I slung the bag over my shoulder, then grabbed the rolled-up carpet. “I’m going to the Isle of Song so I can learn how to fully use my magic, and then I’m going to save our mates and friends and stop the king.”
“The king?”
“King Paevin.”
When her confused expression grew, I realized Nellip hadn’t told her everything we’d discovered before the kingsfae had apprehended him. But at least Nellip had told her of Bastian, and Saramel had looked after Jax’s brother since their arrest.
I finished securing my pack. “I’m sorry. It’s a long story, so I don’t have time to fully explain, but the Faewood king was behind Bastian’s abduction. And he’s doing many atrocious things. He’s trying to build a half-breed army, and he wants to march on the kingdoms and start a war, and?—”
“What?” Her shocked whisper rang through the alleyway.
I nodded vigorously. “It’s true. The semelees revealed it to me, so I need to stop himandsave our mates and our friends. And I just realized that I can doallof that by twisting fate. It’s the only way to stop everything.”
Her jaw dropped. “You mean...you’re going to...” Her hands flew to her mouth. “But if the courts find out that you?—”
“I know, and if that happens, I’ll deal with it. But right now, too much is at stake. I have to do it. It’s the only way.”
She dropped her hands, and for the briefest moment, a flare of hope shone upon her face. “Okay, but please be careful, and don’t worry about anything here. I’ll take care of Bastian, Cassim, and myself. We’ll all be fine.”
A breath of relief left me, and Saramel’s lips lifted in a quivering smile. And in that moment, I realized Iwasn’talone. I might not have much, but I had Saramel. I did have a friend in this realm.
I sighed in relief. “Deal. You look after the three of you, and I’ll save our mates.”
She pulled me into a fierce hug. “May the stars, moons, galaxy, and all the gods and goddesses bless you, Elowen.”
“And you.”
