Now that my abilities were within my control again, Icouldn’thave felt any better.
But as I remembered what I held in mycoatpocket, I still wanted to trytobeat that feeling.
And maybe solving one of my father’s numerous mysteries would do that.
Tugging Father’s journal out of my internal coat pocket, I cracked it open to the page I had folded the corner of. As I flipped through, I tried to do my best not to smear blood over any important bits. I could feel Valenia watching intensely, her curiosity seeming to peak.
“Here,” I said, pointing to the entry labeledprisoner fifty-one.Running the finger with the least amount of blood on it over the page, I searched for the parts I had read before.
It mentioned that this prisoner had been special to Father, but not why. They had never been named, only numbered. To refresh my memory, I slid my eyes over the bottom half of the page.
That was where it noted that the prisoner was held in the tallest tower within the camp walls, held at the very top of the structure.
I slammed the book together suddenly, startling Valenia—who I realized with a start had been peering at the contents of the journal as well.
It was a good thing that she was vowed to me. Otherwise, I’d have to kill her, too.
Though, when the thoughtdidn’tbring me any type of positive emotion, I frowned. I barely knew her—was I already beginning to enjoy her company?
Or did she just remind me of the female I might have let slip through my grasp?
Shaking my head, I looked towards Valenia, who caught my gaze and quickly schooled her face into neutrality—but not before I saw her quizzical expression.
Deciding thatI’dhave to trustsomebody, at least a little, I sighed. At least if I told Valenia, I knew shecouldn’tturn against me.
With those thoughts in mind, I decided to risk it.
“This is the late king’s journal,” I explained.
As I stood, my body feeling stronger than ever, I added, “Don’t look inside of it again.”
She nodded,hopping toher feet beside me. As her hair brushed her shoulderwhenshe moved, Icouldn’thelp but catch the scent of roses.
And Icouldn’tdeny the spark of desire that lit up, hidden deep within.
“So, where’s the tallest tower?”sheasked, heading for the door and reaching for the handle.
“I said—”
“You said don’t look insideagain,” she interrupted. “I had already seen that part.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose as I sighed, knowing she had a valid point to argue with.
“Most of the towers are in the eastern part of the camp.We’llhead that way. Idon’twant anybody else trying to direct us or to even know whatwe’relooking for, understand?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” she said, her voice dripping with something Icouldn’tquite place.
She tugged the chamber door open as I approached. I leadthe way to thedoorsatthe other end of the hall.
Not a single prisoner tried to trip me that time.
Once we were on the other side of the dungeon doors, I noted a bucket which was catching drops of water that dripped down from the ceiling.
Walking over to it, I went to crouch down to wash the blood andbitsoff my hands. But before I could reach for it, the water moved unnaturally. Then, in a gentle stream, it was lifted out of the bucket.
My head snapped toward Valenia, who now had a hand raised and was directing the water stream through the air toward herself.
I watched as she coated her own hands in the water and stepped toward me, holding her hands out.
