Page 36 of Jeweler to the Blessed
The Cursed King’s magic had been used in service of the Feared at the festival—to get them away from a fight they might not have won. The more I considered it, the more I decided the power could challenge the Glanmores and the Blessed if the Cursed King chose.
I swallowed thickly as my thoughts found the necessary conclusion. If the Cursed King supported the Feared—wouldhis considerable power aim to remove me? He hadn’t made himself known last night, or tried to end me while I should have been incapacitated. I didn’t know what to think. With no purple glow in sight and no one else that seemed unaffected by the magic, I had no idea who he was.
I pulled the blankets back over my head. Maybe if I hid, none of it would be real.
Yesterday had been a disaster.
The only good thing to come out of it was that I’d have access to the Glanmores search for Alaric. I needed to find out what they were doing—where they had already searched. My position afforded me information, and I would use it to find my uncle.
I also needed to understand where my guard stood. Alaric trusted him, but I wished I knew why. We’d need to discuss the youngleaf for Mother’s tonic as well. Hopefully, our conversation wouldn’t backfire like mine with Soren had at Forest’s Edge.
The Feared had known my guard. I’d even say they’d been afraid of him. What was his place with them? If he was the youngleaf seller, as I suspected, he must cross paths with them regularly. Why would a Blessed work with the Feared, though?
I needed to know if he was a danger to me or if he’d protect me as his new duty demanded.
This was no longer a productive distraction. I guessed that meant it was time to get out of bed. Besides reporting for duty at the castle, my priority today was to search Uncle’s workshop for clues to his whereabouts.
What had Father said …Lost on a quest from one of his books.
At least I knew where to look.
With that, I threw back the covers. I might as well get started.
There was no argument that morning as I left. Father’s ankle was swollen, and he was using a walking stick we had for Mother to help keep pressure off it. I stopped by Jasmine’s apartment before I departed. Her mother was a healer, and she’d been known to care for those in the building when required.
“You kept me in the dark.” Jasmine’s teasing smile as she opened the door told me I wasn’t truly in trouble.
“You wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”
“I know.” She wrapped her arms around herself, still smiling, floating on the high of her engagement. At least she didn’t appear to have lingering effects from any nightmares at the festival.
Not wanting to bring her down, but knowing I had to depart, I pulled her back to reality. “Do you think your mom can check on my father today?”
“Sure. What’s wrong?” Her question must have reminded her of everything she—or the king’s calm—buried from last night. “Was he hurt in the …” She didn’t know how to finish the sentence.
Neither did I. I nodded, though. “I think he sprained his ankle when we tried to leave.”
Her eyes widened. “I’m so sorry. Yes, of course, Mother will stop by. I didn’t realize. Matthew and I snuck away after the proposal. We felt the …” She stared into the distance. “Well, we felt the magic but avoided the mobs trying to escape Cross Street.”
“I figured.” I caught her eye to reinforce the truth in my words. “I’m glad you weren’t there. No one could have helped.”
Her face looked haunted. I didn’t think it was over Father’s condition. Whatever nightmare she’d seen last night must beresurfacing. I wondered how well King Rodric’s calming magic had worked on the rest of the populace.
“Thank you. I have to get going.”
She nodded.
I forced a smile. “Congratulations again.”
Turning from the door, I left to start my new position. I may have escaped last night’s nightmare, but I was living a different one.
Given the chaos unleashed during the festival, I couldn’t imagine the prince would be in good spirits. I wasn’t sure it was wise to try to enter the castle—at least not without my guard. Last night had been so eventful, I’d not bothered to ask where we should meet or how this would work.
My best bet was Uncle’s workshop. I could start my work for the Glanmores and spend more time searching Alaric’s things.
The closer my footsteps brought me to Cross Street, the more utter disarray surrounded me. Booths were tipped over, some destroyed, and garbage was scattered everywhere. I shouldn’t be surprised. It was still early. No one would have had time to clean up. I was sure the guards had spent most of the night searching for the Cursed King.
The stage where the future Blessed were to be presented was still erected at the foot of the castle steps. As I walked by, I let out a breath and wondered what the Glanmores would think of all this. In all the chaos, I doubted they had apprehended any of the Feared.
