“I don’t know for certain, but the proctor’s letter shocked me…for many reasons,” Fairon says carefully.
“You and me both,” Leon says, pacing the room. “Why haven’t we heard about this before? It happened right before Father died, and Grandfather never thought to mention it?”
“Unless Respen didn’t know anything about it either,” Tira points out.
“Why would our father keep something like that from the king?” Leon asks.
He looks to Fairon expectantly. “You’ve had this information for a while now. Don’t you haveanytheories?”
Fairon’s expression grows somber.
“That’s partly why I’m here. There’s something I need to show you in the city, brother, and it’s better we go as soon as we’re able.”
Leon starts to answer him, but I speak first.
“What about the king? He wasn’t very happy when I saw him last. Shouldn’t we show him Leon is better and smooth things over with him first before we go anywhere?”
“Absolutely not,” Fairon says, the sharpness of his answer surprising me. Leon makes a low growl of disapproval at his brother’s tone, and the crown prince immediately looks apologetic.
“I’m sorry,” Fairon says to me. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. But our grandfather knows the ritual was successful. I delivered the news last night. You must trust me when I say that we should do anythingbutspeak to the king right now.” He gives us all a piercing look. “I strongly suggest we avoid him until you’ve seen what I have to show you.”
Chapter 6
Damia
Ssss…coasssst isss clear…Ssss
Thanks, Barb.I let my magic carry the message to her as I step around the corner to find an empty corridor.
Well, empty except for the little serpent making her way along the edge of the far wall, acting as my lookout. I know this palace like the back of my hand, but that doesn’t mean I know everyone’s movements inside it. There’s no guarantee I won’t encounter anyone on the way to the captain’s quarters. And when I’m carrying a message from Harman Sandale, the leader of the Hand of Ralus, I’d really rather not meet any of Respen’s men.
I can guarantee the king has that rat Velrir, and others like him, sniffing around, hoping to catch wind of where we’ve all been the last few months—and what we’ve been up to. Technically, the king’s security has the right to search any of us if they suspect we might be hiding some threat to the monarch. Velrir’s done it before just to show us he could—and because if he can’t take his hate out on the captain directly, Velrir can at least make his soldiers suffer for it.
I smile at the memory of them discovering Barb the last time they tried that. She’d very much enjoyed leaving a pair of deep puncture marks in the nosy man’s finger.
I have to be careful that the message doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. As far as we’re aware, Respen doesn’t know about Morgana’s connection to the Hand, and I’d like to keep it that way.
There’s movement in a shadowy corner, and I grip my knife. Then the darkness parts, and Corrin steps toward me.
“Don’t you know how to make a man feel welcome,” he says, nodding at the hold I have on my blade.
I release my hand, shooting an annoyed look at Barb’s tail disappearing round the corner.
I thought you said the coast was clear?I snap at the serpent.
Ssss…you sssaid look out for enemiessss…thisss one is a friend…
I roll my eyes at my snake’s weird obsession with Corrin and straighten up.
“One of these days, Wadestaff, you’re going to learn the hard way that creeping around in dark corners isn’t healthy for you,” I say, turning and continuing down the corridor.
“Back to Wadestaff, is it?” he says, falling into step beside me. “You know, I love the way you look when you’re annoyed with me.”
I choose to ignore his flirting. If I give nothing back, I’m sure he’ll soon get bored.
“I’m always annoyed with you,” I say, staring straight ahead.
“I know; it means Ialwayslove the way you look.” I know without glancing over that he’s wearing that stupid, enticing smile of his. It’ll distract me if I’m not careful.
