Kallie stood. “I know what it’s like to have your bond broken with someone you love and come out stronger because of it. I know this hasn’t been easy for either of you, but I do want you guys to get back together, as long as that’s what you both want. I just wanted you to do it the right way. I think you’re both finally on the right track.”
“Do you know something I don’t?”
“I shouldn’t,” she replied. “But I was there when Ava gave her things away. I saw how much you mean to her that day. Nothing could ever break her as much as losing you did.”
I knew Ava wanted to keep trying, and I’d seen into the intentions of her heart, but there were still sides of her I couldn’t reach. Hearing this from Kallie made me certain I was doing the right thing. “Thanks for the reassurance. I’m happy we’re making progress.”
“I think we all are.”
After a hesitant beat, Kallie added, “Where’d this money come from? I thought Cameron cut you off.”
“I’ve had it for a while,” I explained. “Before my grandfather died, he gave me access to the royal treasury, and I set this aside right away just in case. When you don’t grow up with much, it makes you terrified that you could lose it all some day. I thought it’d be a good idea to set aside an emergency fund, just in case we ever had to start over. Since my dad cut me out of the treasury, this is all the money I have in the world.”
“How much is there?”
I sighed. “Not enough to get all of Ava’s stuff back, but enough to give her a fresh start.”
“So you’re giving up everything you saved for her.”
I ran my fingers over the velvet, testing the weight of the coins in my hands. My heart hammered, but I’d already made up my mind. “Once I spend this, I’m back to having nothing. But I want to give it up for her, and I’m happy to do it. You said it yourself. Ava would give the clothes off her back for these people, and she already has. I don’t want her to give anything more, so I’m going to do what she asked and return her things… starting with Monica’s armband.”
“Charlie, that armband could be anywhere by now.”
“Then it’s a good thing you’re here. You can do a tracking spell, can’t you?”
“Of course. I always keep my grimoire on me. Hold on.” She flipped through the pages. “Ah, here. These are my mother’s notes. She has such sloppy handwriting.”
“What’s the spell?” I asked curiously.
“It’s a spinning arrow that locates whatever you’re trying to find. One of my aunts invented it during the Malovian Revolution. I haven’t been able to get the magic right until recently, but I’ve finally perfected it. It’ll lead us right to the armband.”
I heard the whoosh of magic, then felt a supernatural projectile materialize around me as it erratically weaved this way and that.
“The spell is working,” Kallie noted.
“Excellent. Let’s go.”
Sprigs jumped onto my shoulder and slid down into my shirt pocket, while Oberi followed behind us.
Kallie practically dragged me out of the suite, following the magical arrow. “The armband can’t be far. The arrow’s really steady. We can probably walk there.”
Kallie led us out of the palace and through the streets of Ilamanthe until we came upon a residential area. The streets were quiet apart from a distant creaking.
“Should we start knocking on doors or what?” I asked.
“I don’t think that’s necessary. We’re looking for the kid Ava gave her armband to.” Kallie paused, surveying her surroundings. “There’s a park up ahead and a little girl alone on the swings. I think I recognize her. Come on.”
Sprigs peeked over my shoulder as Kallie led me forward. The creaking sound grew louder, and I realized it was the chains of the swing groaning as the child swayed back and forth. The girl must’ve spotted us, because the sound came to an abrupt halt. Small footsteps landed in the dirt.
“Wait!” I cried. “Please don’t go.”
The child hesitated. “You— you’re the prince,” she said in a tiny voice. She couldn’t have been more than six or seven.
I nodded. “Yes.”
Kallie leaned into me to whisper. “It’s her. She’s wearing Ava’s armband.”
The girl took a cautious step back. “I’ve heard bad things about you. I shouldn’t be talking to you. You tried to kill the Emperor.”
