Page 62 of Enchanted Heir
He took it and mostly lifted himself up, otherwise I would’ve likely fallen over. He took one step toward the castle and stopped. To my back he said, “Thank you for taking the time to care about the forest when the rest of us had long since given up.”
My steps faltered under the weight of his genuine compliment. “Two compliments in one morning, Owen Raikes. What’s wrong with you?”
He snorted. “It’s just because I know bacon awaits.”
We talked about the wolves the rest of the way to the back hedge but then instinctively we both got quiet once inside the castle grounds.
“How long will this ordering of the goods take?” I asked Owen as we neared Krew’s wing. “I also stink and need a shower.”
“I’m not sure,” Owen shrugged. “Sometimes it takes twenty minutes, sometimes more. Depends on what the kitchen staff is busy with.”
“Long enough for a shower then,” I decided.
“Cold or hot?” he said with eyebrows raised.
“Hot,” I snapped. “Always hot. Borderline scalding.”
He rolled his eyes. “You know you could alternate cold and hot for your muscles.”
I reached for the doorknob to Krew’s room as I said, “But then I would therefore have to be cold, and that is something I do not really enjoy being.”
“None of us do,” he argued. “It’s just good for you.”
I was about to argue back but opened the door instead. “Hey Krew,” I hollered, wondering if he was in. “I need a favor.”
“In here.”
The way the response was bit out had me wondering if he was mad at me for something. I peeked my head around the corner to find he and Keir sitting opposite of each other at the table The Six always sat at. Fuming at one another.
His blue eyes darted to me as he asked, “What do you need?”
So he was mad, but not mad at me. “Uhh, bacon? It can wait though. It appears you two are in the middle of something. I’m sorry to intrude.”
“Well, I’m not,” Owen said as he walked right on over. “Why do you two look like you are about to tear each other’s heads off?”
Krew’s eyes flashed with magic as he took a drink of his coffee. “No reason worth mentioning.”
“Krew,” Keir snapped. “Ask her. Ask Jorah what she thinks.”
“Stop. Talking.”Krew growled back.
“She isn’t Cessa!” Keir said, his voice raising.
I wanted to back away out of the room, but I was stuck watching these two argue about something pertaining to me, apparently. I wanted to give them space to work it out in whatever brotherly way they needed, but I also selfishly wanted to know what the hell was going on.
Krew stood up and put his palms on the table. “I know she isn’t, you nitwit. But she is too valuable to use as a mere distraction for father.”
“It could get him thinking we are on his side though. And would keep her safe while he tests her blood himself,” Keir argued. “You know he values loyalty over all else. So take him a bit of her blood yourself. Take him to see the forest. Work with one of his scientists yourself. It will appear as if you are working with him, not against. And father will be so distracted with that and being in on the secret, he won’t see us coming at the end.”
So Keir wanted Krew to take my blood to the king? As a sort of peace offering? Or with a pledge to work together in figuring it out?
“No,” Krew snapped, shoulders tense and tight as he leaned on the table. “Not until we know more. I don’t doubt he would spill her blood and however many more innocent people with Iron Will just to try to fix it.”
“I get what time of year it is, brother, but you are letting it mess with your mind,” Keir argued.
“I said no!” Krew’s voice was gradually getting louder. “This is not whatshesigned up for. She has no greater role in our duty to take him out than she already plays. She wouldn’t even have a role if you would have been man enough to keep her safe and let her go.”
“You just want to keep her to yourself locked away up here,” Keir spat. “No different than I did.”
