“What about the binding?” Rage looked at the tipped over bowls of blood.
Glancing up at the ceiling, the king sighed. “I don’t have another mage here, so will you swear to take your uncle off the throne by next year?”
Rage nodded, a feral gleam in his eye. “I will.”
The king extended his hand. “Then I guess we’re going to lead with trust, and I’ll have to take you at your word. If you betray me, I won’t forget it.”
Rage nodded, and the two of them shook hands.
Then, the king clapped twice and three beautiful women in purple shifts and white aprons entered through a side door.
“Yes, My Liege?” They spoke and then bowed in unison.
Creepy.
“Is our food still warm?” Ozark asked.
Still moving in perfect harmony, they smiled. “Yes, sir, in the dining hall.”
“Let’s eat!” He patted his belly and strode away from the mess like he hadn’t almost been assassinated.
‘I kind of like him,’ I told Rage.
‘Me too,’ he agreed and slipped his hand into mine.
We followed King Ozark into a wide hall, and guilt twisted my insides, followed by a rumble of hunger. ‘If we stay and eat, it’ll delay us getting Justice and Noble from your uncle.’
Rage sighed.‘I know. But to deny the meal could sour our fragile new alliance. Besides, if we don’t eat, we increase the likelihood of making mistakes with our hunger. My brothers’ll just have to hold on.’
Kill Surlama.
Save Justice and Noble.
Resurrect Honor.
And just over twenty-fourish hours to do it.
Chapter 7
Rage clearedhis throat and turned to the selkie king. “The meal was lovely. Thank you.”
Lovely seemed inadequate. I was pregnant with a four-month-old food baby. Warm buttered rolls, fish stew, lobster tails, and honey yams … I could barely breathe.
The king frowned. “That sounds like farewell. Are you leaving so soon?”
Rage shifted in his seat. Pretty sure he didn’t want to offend the king, but we had a list of people to save, and the clock was ticking.
“Sir, like the hive mind you have with your people, my brothers and I have a similar gift. The alpha king is torturing them. I must try to save them … before he kills them.”
The selkie king dropped his fork, and it clattered off his plate onto the white linen cloth. “Why didn’t you say so sooner? Of course, you must go.” He waved his hands as if to shoo us away. “Leave now!”
The knot of tension in my chest released, and relief washed through me. “Thank you, sir.”
We rose from the table, and Rage grabbed my hand. We turned to leave, but after a few steps, Rage stopped and faced the selkie king. “One more question, if I may?”
The king nodded and waved off the servant topping off his wine.
“When will our magic abilities return? The powder you used—”
