Page 98 of Enchanted Heir
“I—” he gave his head a shake, taken back by my clear annoyance. He dropped his voice to a whisper, eyes going to Krew as he said, “We only wish to free you from that castle.”
I tipped my head back to look at the stars, so frustrated I could scream. The fact that he had just admitted that right in front of Krew and Owen proved how foolish he truly was. “Oh? And did any of you ever consider for a damn second that I do not wish to be freed from the castle? That I am more valuable there than I am here?”
He frowned as he considered my words.
“You know nothing,” I repeated. “I am where I want to be and also where Ineedto be, Will.”
And with that, I stomped away.
Krew and Owen were on my heels, Owen handing me the water flask out of his tailcoat. I took a generous drink while feeling so mad I could scream.
When were these men going to stop making decisions for me?
“So it was kind of fun seeing you destroy him like that,” Owen admitted. “I didn’t need to do a thing.”
“Nor I,” Krew agreed.
“He’s going to get himself killed!” I whispered. “Fools. All of them. Think they are so noble and honorable yet know nothing.”
Krew put a hand on my back, rubbing lightly. “So we will bring them in on things. Slowly.” He moved to slip out of his tailcoat, wrapping it around me gently.
How did he always know when I was cold?
I sighed. There were a lot more disloyal in Nerede than I had assumed. It was like my being in the Assemblage had recruitment exponentially increasing. I didn’t wish to leave the castle at this time, and was sure the king wouldn’t allow it anyway, but for the first time I wondered if perhaps the best way to keep the people of Nerede safe wasn’t by staying in the castle at all.
* * *
It was so late.My feet hurt. I was in way better shape than I had been for the last Harvest Festival. But we had danced so much and so fast I was tired. Owen would be sure to wake me up early the next morning too, no matter what.
Krew pulled me in close as we danced to a slower tune. “I’m going to use my magic at the end of the night.”
“All right,” I said sleepily, still wearing his tailcoat which smelled like him. I’d brought a coat still in the carriage, but I liked wearing this instead. “How?”
He shrugged. “Fireworks of sorts. Father requested it. He thinks the Nerede people need to be reminded how powerful we are. And since his men are here to report back, I need to oblige.”
I groaned.
“It was Owen’s idea that you be the one to make the magic vanish.”
That had me waking up and moving to look at him. “You want them to see I am able to block magic?”
He nodded. “My hope is they’ll see magic cannot harm you. Connect those dots.”
I sighed. “Okay. And will your father be okay with that?”
He cocked his head. “He will have to be. That’s why I didn’t ask, but I’ll explain it was to help the Nerede people see that you are safe with me.”
I was so tired of having to overthink every step and decision. Had he not grown sick of it yet? Or after so many years of it, did he become used to it? “I’m just worried you will scare the people.”
He shrugged. “I’ll do my best not to.”
So at the end of the night, just before the orphanage children left, as they were up far, far, far past their bedtimes, Krew explained to Hattie what he was going to do. Some people immediately backed away from us, as the word, “magic” rippled throughout the people.
We stood in front of our carriage, the horses stomping and ready to go. My mother was next to me and Flora was on the other side of her, bidding my mother goodnight.
“Thank you all for a wonderful evening,” Krew said. A hush immediately fell over the crowd. “Your hard work and long days do not go unnoticed.”
Just under appreciated, but it was a nice thought. He wasn’t going to insult his father right in front of his father’s guards, or lie to Nerede either, so it was the best he could do. I was proud of him for trying.
