Page 127 of Crown of Briars
“Do you live in this room?” I asked, glancing around. A woolen blanket at her feet implied she often curled up in that very chair to sleep.
“When I have a grouchy king constantly barking orders at me to make more elixirs, then yes.” She swung her legs down and straightened. “I’m assuming that’s why you’re here?”
“No.” I paused. In truth, I was here to ensure the enchantmentsaround the castle were in place, in case of an attack from the Earthen Court.
But unbidden, Murvo’s words rang in my mind.Find the original script of the curse.Despite my searching, I still hadn’t found any record of the sorceress’s spell.
“Do you have any records from past sorceresses?” I asked.
Tislora went very still. The hairs on my arms stood on end at the almost predatory way she seemed to freeze. Like she was waiting to strike down her prey.
“Why are you asking me that?” Her voice was quiet, but lethal.
I hadn’t told her about Murvo yet. There hadn’t been an opportunity. I didn’t know much about her background as a sorceress; all I knew was she had faced much persecution because of her magical heritage, and that trauma was still fresh.
To bring this up would likely reopen those wounds.
But this was of utmost importance. After all, she was bound by the curse as well.
After a deep breath, I filled her in on what Murvo had told me. Her mouth formed a thin line, her eyes darkening as she listened.
When I finished, she said, “I could possibly cast a spell on your blood, since your bloodline is entangled with the curse. It may bring forth the original terms of the enchantment. But… it would be extremely painful. And, with centuries between you and the curse, there’s no guarantee it will work.”
I nodded without hesitation. “Let’s do that. Do whatever you need to prepare.”
“Very well.”
When I continued to stand there, unmoving, she cocked her head at me. “Was there… something else you needed?”
“I need to ensure our magical wards are intact. There may be a threat approaching.”
Her expression sobered. “What kind of threat?”
Recalling our earlier argument, I hesitated. If I saida human army, she would scoff and blame my human wife.
So, instead, I said, “There’s a spy among my soldiers, feeding information to another kingdom. Word has it he’s planning to draw them out, and I need to make sure we are properly protected.”
Her brows lowered. “My wards arealwaysintact.”
“Go check them anyway.”
She glared at me. “Is that an order, oh great king?”
“Yes,” I bit out.
She exhaled in exasperation and rose to her feet. “Really, Varius, is it going to be this way?”
“If you continue to insult my wife and accuse her of treason, then yes.”
“Weren’tyouspeculating about her duplicity mere moments before she arrived in this kingdom? It’s hardly fair you would pass judgment on me for thinking the same thing.”
“Things are different now. We have taken our vows. She is mywife. And… I trust her.” I surprised myself by uttering those words. But they were true. I wouldn’t be able to say them if they weren’t.
Tislora blinked, clearly just as stunned as I was. “Wife or not, she has not been coronated. She holds no authority over this court or me.”
I bared my teeth at her. “Why are you doing this?”
She drew closer to me, her silver eyes sharpening. “Toprotectyou. You are blind when it comes to her, Varius. If you won’t see clearly, then someone else has to.”
