I know. I will be.I took another sip of tea, then asked hesitantly,How’s Timith?
A little worse, actually, but not by much.
I gripped my mug tighter, my fingers digging into it.What does that mean?
She sighed, and her tone dipped.He’s hardly drinking now. We really had to work to get enough fluids into him today. Thank goodness Verin is here.
My heart began to thump.Has anything else changed?
Not enough that I think you should come home. You know if that were the case, I would tell you. And if you think you stand a true chance at finding the Stone, then keep going.
I nodded internally.Has anything else been going on?
Not really, other than Abel returning. Vissy told me he spent the week detained by the kingsfae. I can only imagine what he did, but thankfully, the kingsfae forbade him from hunting the Stone again, and unless he wants to be arrested a second time, he won’t be leaving Whiteolf. Oh, and Opalin and Roosep have been asking after you daily, but I’ve kept them up to date. They’re as worried about you as I’ve been.
Thank you for keeping them informed, and I’m not surprised Abel got arrested.I didn’t say more. I hadn’t told her how Abel had harassed me on that first day since I’d seen no point in needlessly worrying her, but I was glad he’d been forbidden from hunting the Stone again. One less thing to worry about. Although, I doubted he would be able to find me all the way up here. Still, I was thankful I wouldn’t have tostress over that.How are Opalin and Roosep doing anyway?I added.
They’re both well, but worried about you too. I don’t think I could keep your updates from them if I tried. You know how relentless Opalin can be when she wants to know something.
I laughed softly. She was right. Opalin had a one-track mind if something intrigued her.
My aunt and I spoke for a few more minutes, then said our goodbyes.
Once I’d closed down our connection completely, I peered around at the other fae. Most of the patrons had stopped looking at me, the novelty of a newcomer obviously having worn off, and nobody was openly scowling at me anymore either.
Perhaps the fact that I’d kept to myself and had sat near the wall helped. As much as I enjoyed being friendly with others, I also knew that not everyone shared in my enthusiasm of meeting new fae.
I took a few more bites of food, my plate nearly empty, then I turned inward again to check in with Ree.
Ree answered immediately, her energy just as relieved and happy to hear from me as my aunt’s had been. We spoke for a few minutes, each of us catching the other up on our day. But when I told her that Kole had shown up in this town just after I did, her shock barreled toward me.
Seriously? After your other strange meetings, he’s now arrived in some tiny Stonewild village at the exact same time asyou?She huffed.Prim, this is getting to be too big of a coincidence. Is he following you?
Lively music continued around me, and I took another sip of tea.Honestly, now that you’ve mentioned it, it does seem like he’s following me, but I doubt that’s true. That makes no sense. I’m not a criminal nor causing any political issues. It’s more likely that he’s after the Stone than following me.
An Imperial Warrior is Stone hunting?
I could just picture her flaming red eyebrows shooting clearly to her hairline. I shrugged.Maybe the Council told him to.
I could tell she was mulling that over. A moment later, she replied,I suppose it makes more sense that he’s after the Stone than following you. Maybe he has a seekerill too, or some version of it, and that’s why you’re both on the same path.
I canted my head. I hadn’t thought of that possibility.I suppose that could be the case. Timith isn’t the only inventor in the realm after all.
And if he has the Imperial Council behind him, it’s definitely possible he’s got that kind of resource.
I nibbled on my lip.So if heisafter the Stone, do you think a king or queen, or evenourking and queen, instructed the Council to get the Stone for them? Maybe one of the royals wants to claim its wish, but they don’t want to be seen hunting the Stone directly?
I felt her nod.It’s definitely possible, but that’s not what the Council is supposed to do.
No, you’re right.
But if he’s not Stone hunting, then he’s following you,she teased.
I snorted and took another sip of tea and hoped she wouldn’t detect how that comment made my stomach dip.But why would he be following me? I’m nobody special.
Not true at all. You’re totally special, but you’re correct that you’re not someone the Imperial Council would be interested in.
I considered everything more.You could be on to something, though. His time here could be related to the Stone, but maybe not in the way we’re thinking. Perhaps he’s doing kingsfae duties at the moment, which would be highly unusual given his skillset, but he did take care of Abel and those two males who attacked the wildling mother. And I’ve seen enough altercations that I know fae are acting badly. Remember those two creeps who were following me?I shivered.Bottom line, the Stone is making fae act horribly. Maybe the warriors have all been dispatched to keep the peace.
