Page 88 of Treasured

That was an understatement. By doing this, they were effectively painting a target on their backs. If Queen Marguerite ever found out they helped us, she would destroy them.

Beaufort and Genevieve shared a look, but the witch spoke first.

“We may not be warriors here, but we have witnessed many things over the years. Lives lost for inexplicable reasons, deaths that could have been prevented, and laws that were on the wrong side of kindness. Many in Eleyta don’t care, but we do,” he said.

That made sense. Queen Marguerite wasn’t known for being a gentle ruler.

“When the Wasting Illness appeared a decade ago, we reached out to the queen for help. It originated here,” Genevieve added. “Again and again, we sent missives requesting her assistance. She never responded, not even when the humans began to die from the illness. She just… left them.” Her eyes hardened. “Vampires were humans, once. Isvana blessed us, but we were meant to look after the mortals. Our relationship was supposed to be symbiotic, but the queen has forgotten that. She has lost her mortality.”

These words were treason.

What do you think? I asked Luna through our bond.

She shifted, eyeing the two of them for a moment before nodding. We can trust them.

I agree.

“I’m sorry for not helping earlier,” I told them. “I’d heard of the illness, but the queen kept me so busy, I never realized how bad it had gotten.”

Not until Luna and I married, and she told me about Marius.

“I understand.” The priestess chewed on her lip for a moment before adding, “There’s something else you should know. A few years ago, a visiting Fortune Elf Saw the future and shared their vision with us.”

I tilted my head. “Oh?” That, in and of itself, wasn’t odd. Fortune Elves were known through the Four Kingdoms for their cryptic visions. Luna and I had been in the middle of such occurrences more than once.

Genevieve continued, “I was told to be on the lookout for a halfling with the Wasting Illness. The child was a harbinger of change, and once he arrived, I was warned someone would need my help soon after.” She met my gaze. “You might say we’ve been waiting for this for a while.”

They know of the prophecy, Luna whispered.

This changed things. If they knew and didn’t tell anyone, I was certain we could trust the Second Order. A weight lifted off my chest, and for the first time since asking Genevieve about the key, I could take a proper breath.

I said, “Thank you for being willing to help us.”

“Of course.” Genevieve bowed her head. “We will assist and shield you both for as long as we can. Some have already been at work in this endeavor.” She exchanged a knowing look with the witch. “You may remember meeting Beaufort’s brothers?”

I narrowed my eyes, trying to place her words, before memories came flooding back.

The twin witches from the queen’s third trial. Now that she mentioned it, I could see a passing family resemblance.

“Those were your brothers?” I asked the witch incredulously.

Beaufort nodded. “Frederic and Alfonse are my younger brothers. Frederic is… hardhearted, but Alfonse sees the light.”

I remembered the twins. One of them, Alfonse, had guided me toward picking the right plant. He was the reason Luna and I were alive.

“Fascinating,” I murmured.

It was like a veil had been placed over my eyes, and it was now lifting. Was it possible others knew of the prophecy? Were there others who would celebrate the queen’s demise?

“If doing this means the queen’s iron grip on the throne may be loosened, it is worth it,” Beaufort said, rapping his knuckles on the table. “I, and many others, believe Eleyta could benefit from a more kindhearted ruler.”

Part of me warned me to be careful because this entire conversation was treason, but I squashed those thoughts. I claimed no more ties to Queen Marguerite and her horrible rule. If it was treasonous, so be it. Sometimes, a little treason was necessary.

Placing my hand over my heart, I bowed my head. “I swear to you; we will do everything in our power to help them.”

“We know.” Genevieve smiled. “That’s why we’re helping you.”

Beaufort pulled out a pocket watch and glanced at it with a frown before he slid it away. “It’s time. We need to begin.”

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