Page 142 of Crown of Briars
It was best to put a stop to any romantic attachment now, before anyone got hurt.
I was already hiding too much from her. She would neverforgive me when she found out the only way to break the curse was for her to die.
“Varius.”
I looked up to find Tislora at the open doorway, her face unusually grim. “What is it?”
“I’ve finished sweeping the queen’s chambers. I found something that might interest you.” She lifted a wrinkled and half-burned piece of parchment.
“Did you find any traces of magic? Anything Warwick left behind?”
“There was a fae scent I didn’t recognize. But no traces of magic.”
I bit back a growl of frustration and fury. A fae had been in Sybelle’s rooms. A fae whowasn’tWarwick.
Which meant I had more than one traitor lurking in my court.
“Varius,” Tislora said again.
I blinked. “What?”
“I found this in her room. You need to read it.” She strode into the room, then handed me the parchment. Her mouth was set in a hard line, her jaw tight with concern.
I had never seen her so solemn before. With dread pulsing in my gut, I accepted the parchment and read over the words. It was written in Terrish, but I understood it well enough. With each line I read, anger boiled in my veins. Shadows spread along the floor, covering the carpet in inky smoke.
My Lady,
I yearn for you. Every moment since you’ve left has been torture for me. Please send word that you are safe. I am going mad not knowing. Imiss having you to hold in my arms. I miss the way our bodies fit together.
There is no one like you. And there never will be.
But that is not the only reason I write to you. I must also ask if the endeavor we discussed previously has been accomplished yet. If it has, please send word immediately. Our armies intend to cross the border and invade the kingdom if it’s clear you have been unsuccessful.
I am risking my life by sending this to you, but I would never forgive myself if something happened to you because I did not warn you. I am in love with you, my darling, and I would give anything to have you in my arms once more.
Please write back quickly. If you are close to achieving your goal, I can send word and delay the army.
All my love,
G
I read over the letter twice, and a growl vibrated through me.
“Where is she?” I bit out. I couldn’t look at Tislora. I didn’t want to see the smug satisfaction on her face.
She had warned me about this. And I hadn’t listened.
“The library,” Tislora said, her voice betraying nothing.
I crumpled the parchment in my hands, then stuffed it into my pocket. As much as I wanted to shred it to pieces with my claws, I needed it as evidence in case Sybelle tried to deny my accusations.
I stormed toward the door, shadows billowing behind me. The roaring in my ears only intensified when I reached the hall. I threw open the first door I reached. Perhaps the castle was on my side today, because it sent me directly to the library.
A fire was burning in the hearth, and my Lumen orbs cast faint glows along the shelves of books.
In the wing-backed chair—mychair—sat Sybelle, poring over a thick leather tome. On the table next to her was a massive stack of books waiting to be read.
Shadows burst forward, reaching for her. A snarl rumbled within me, and I stepped into the room, letting the door slam shut behind me.
