My heart thumped painfully against my ribs. Confirming my suspicions gave no satisfaction, not when he believed I was this failsafe. The glint in his eyes made it clear he expected me to do it too. I glanced between the two men, praying to the Gods to pull me out of this situation. How could they believe I was this chosen one? I couldn’t be, not when I needed to get away so I could run—with Eleanor—to Hutteran and far away from the king.
Seeming to sense my growing panic, Terym stood and strode toward me, taking a seat at my side and pulling my tightly clasped hands into his warm ones. His expression was somber as his gaze pierced mine. “You are a woman born on Summer Solstice. You have witnessed death. Your virtue remains intact.”
I scoffed at his words. “Plenty of women meet those requirements.”
That pitying smile appeared again. “Not at their twenty-fifth turn of the sun. I’ve spent months searching for you.”
I shook my head again, staring into his pleading eyes. I couldn’t do it—I didn’t even know magic still existed until this moment. How was I supposed to stop a curse?
He leaned closer. “I need your help, Miss Masters. I beg of you, please help me save my people.”
Chapter 3
Istruggled to find air. Terym’s hands were too warm on mine, the desperation on his face too expecting. If the king spoke the truth, innocent people were being killed by Mortremon’s magical curse. And if I’m the only one who could stop it, I should, right? My father would certainly think so. He always put everyone before himself. It was him Eleanor received her gracious and gentle nature from.
She will need you, more than you know.
My mother’s written words echoed again. What would she want me to do? Eleanor needed me, her preparations were imperative, but if I could make a true difference, would my mother agree that I should? My stomach sank. She wouldn’t; Eleanor was the priority.
I pressed my lips together. There had to be someone else who could break the curse—anyone else. The king was mistaken; I wasn’t this chosen one.
Before I issued my refusal, I caught Lord Orcan’s narrowed eyes, his face was dark and cold. His expression made it clear I didn’t have a choice in the matter. Should I refuse, I would surely be dragged along against my will. Despite his apparent kindness, the King of Torglea had a reputation.Ruthless.
No, I couldn’t refuse and run to Hutteran. I was doomed the moment I answered Orcan’s questions.
But Eleanor …
Would it be better to leave her, alone and unprotected, or take her along with a potential enemy? Neither option was appealing, and the curling in my stomach roughened—like a storm on the seas. Perhaps if I appeared amenable, I could negotiate, make a request to bring Eleanorandsecure her safety.
“I … If I help you, I would like something in return.”
“You don’t bargain with the king. Who do you—”
A stern glare from Terym cut the pompous lord off. When the king’s unreadable eyes met mine again, I swallowed roughly, my heart pumping furiously. I had to continue; it was my only chance. “My younger sister, I’m all she has. If I agree to help you, I want her safety assured, and I want her to travel with me. I won’t leave her.”
Terym’s triumphant smile lit his entire face. “Of course! Your sister shall join us, and I will provide her protection, shelter, food, and education. Everything will be taken care of. You have my word.”
It wasn’t relief filling me at the king’s easy agreement—but trepidation. Had I just made a terrible mistake? I nodded slowly, forcing a smile on my face. If I had, it was too late to take it back now. “Then I will help you.”
“My men will escort you home. We’ll leave first thing in the morning.” Without calling for them, two soldiers entered the room.
I barely saw them as I stood and left with a muttered, “Thank you.”
I walked home in a daze, hardly noticing the gossiping villagers or the two silent soldiers shadowing me. My stilted conversation with Mr. Port was short, and he agreed to let us stay the night, provided I worked one last shift. He allowed me only a few minutes to let Eleanor know we were leaving in the morning before I was forced to serve the quickly filling tavern.
Terym’s men stood along the wall all night, frightening away far too-many patrons, if Mr. Port’s scowl was any indication. Despite their presence, I didn’t stop all night. My mind a whirlwind of regrets and fears of the unknown, even the work couldn’t chase them away.
When I finally fell into bed far too late—or early, depending on your night—it was to stare at the ceiling. Terym’s men were stationed outside our door, thwarting any half-made plans I had to sneak away in the night.
With stiff limbs and tired eyes, I followed the soldiers the next morning, Eleanor at my side, bouncing with barely veiled excitement. When we arrived at Layberry Inn, the crowd from the day before was gone. Instead, soldiers mounted on horses filled the street, each of them eyeing us carefully as we were led to the inn’s front steps.
There was absolutely no way of getting out of this; we had to go with the king to end a magical curse.
“Ah, Adelia, my dear, there you are.” Terym strode from the porch, his tunic every bit as excessive as the day before. “And this must be your sister.”
“Eleanor,” I murmured, and my sister curtsied, prompting me to do the same.
“A delight. This is Pierce, he will be your guard on our journey.”
