Page 64 of Enchanted Shadows
“Only if you’d like to show us,” Krew said with a nod. “But we believe you.”
She took a deep breath and put out a shaky palm. In a flash, power as fast as Theon’s ever was, if not more so, left her hand. Shadows pulled toward her hand before she sent a gold color of palm magic into it, sending the shadows breezing around me at my feet before they blew away, back to the corners of the room.
Seeing it, I understood everything. “The black magic seen in the forest was you.”
She nodded. “It was just shadows. I’d gone too long without using either Enchantment. The shadows were calling to me. I wanted to tell you then, but I didn’t know how anyone would take to something that looked remotely similar to the dead king’s magic. I was afraid I’d get kicked off the team.” She shrugged. “I joined the team not to be trained, but to get closer to things at the castle. To figure out if the king and queen of Wylan could be trusted. If they would be the type of people to help us.”
“And?” Esta asked. “What did you find?”
The princess looked to me. “I found General Raikes. I don’t know you, Your Majesties. I’d like to. Truthfully, I don’t know any of you. But I do know him.”
Esta deadpanned, “Yeah. He has that effect on people.”
I rolled my eyes. This was not the time for jokes. We had a war coming to Wylan’s shores if we couldn’t figure out a way out of this. I didn’t blame Kessara or Artem for needing our help, butdammit, more of a heads-up would’ve been nice. Here I had been foolishly thinking the storm brewing was with the loyalists. Instead, we also had a legitimate shitstorm with Agria to concern ourselves with.
While Jorah asked a few questions about Artem’s location in Nerede, a thought came to me. There was only one way to avoid a war with Agria here. One way I saw to maintain the peace of the realm.
I walked back over to Krew and my whiskey for a drink. Truth be told, I needed something stronger.
“Can we reason with your mother?” Krew asked Kessara. “Get her to see that Damek almost had Artem killed?”
“Maybe,” the princess said. “I don’t exactly have proof, and I don’t want Artem to step foot in Agria until it’s safe to do so. Damek will just say whatever is needed to get us back. He will say that was never his intention to begin with and there will be anotheraccidentyears later. Accidents follow Damek wherever he goes.”
I looked to Jorah. Then to Princess Kessara. And back to Krew. There was only the one way. One simple solution to solve it all. So simple it was silly.
“Owen?” Jorah asked. “What are you plotting over there that has you all torn to pieces?”
“Stop reading my emotions down the bond.”
“Hard not to currently,” she responded, “they’re all over the place.”
I inhaled deeply and asked Krew, “Did you mean what you said about declaring me an honorary prince title? Back when you left me proxy of the kingdom while you and Jorah went to Keir’s coronation?”
He didn’t hesitate. “I did. Still would. It will keep Warrick and Arden safer too.”
“Well, that settles it.”
“Settleswhat exactly?” Jorah asked.
“Calm down,” I told her. “You get what you’ve wanted all along.”
“What?”
I looked back to Zara. “The way I see it, there is only one way to keep you safe. To help tensions in Agria.” I knocked back the rest of my whiskey, thankful for the burn in the back of my throat. “You marry me instead, Princess.”
CHAPTER 21
“No!”Jorah snapped.
“But why is princedom needed if that is your plan?” Esta asked rationally.
“Have to say, didn’t see that one coming,” Keir laughed.
Everyone was speaking all at the same time, a cacophony of chaos, but my eyes were on Princess Kessara, gauging her reaction.
“Why?” Her voice had gone dangerously quiet. So much so, the others quieted down.
“If this prick arrives and you are already married, he has to honor that marriage or start a war with Wylan. One he will be less likely to start with Wylan and Dra Skor more united than ever before.” I paused, my eyes going to Esta. “Particularly if you marry someone of influence in Wylan. Not that I’m important by any means, but if I am granted a princedom, it may help matters. Make me important.”
