Page 52 of The Princess of Nothing
The music ended, and Kiros pulled back. “Let us go for a stroll. I can take you down to the waterfall. It is, after all, our final night before being man and wife.”
I followed him out but stopped when something blue and familiar flashed in the back of the room. I squinted. A faery, looking uncomfortable in light fae fashion, was staring at me with an intensity that would rival Blaise’s. He pulled at his clothes and turned away, dissolving through groups of people as he moved quickly. I swear I’d seen him before, watching me in Magaelor behind a taffy store when I’d run from the castle after killing the king.
Why was he in Berovia?
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The faery walked aroundmy room separator. How he’d gotten inside my quarters, I had no idea. The blue around his eyes became more pronounced when he leaned forward. His razor-silver hair was swept back, and his lips were thin, pulled into a hard line. “This is from Blaise.”
My heart stopped for a second as the letter was pressed into my hand. I hoped Kiros hadn’t decided to follow me from the hall after I made a quick exit. The guards stationed outside my door made me nervous though. “Who are you? Why are you here? How does Blaise know I’m here?”
“The letter will explain. My task is done. You will be wed tomorrow. If not, he will die.”
He left as fast as he’d come, sweeping into my room in the dead of night. His wings emerged at the open window, and he took flight, leaving me slack-jawed and staring at the inky sky.
I cast my eyes down to the rolled parchment and eyed the seal. It was blue and marked with a L, for Lazarus. I recognized it, but still, it may have been copied. I feared it was a trap set by Xenos, but my gut told me it wasn’t.
I pulled open the parchment, and my gaze flicked over the scrawled ink. I plopped myself on my bed, making a pillow bounce onto the floor. It was a skill, being able to read Blaise’s handwriting.
Dearest Winter,
I am hoping this letter finds your eyes only. I have sent my most skilled spy to bring it to you. I am certain he will complete his task. My other spies in Berovia and at court have reported everything back to me of your arrival in Berovia and capture by King Xenos. You should know, I sent for help, for men to go and get you from the outside dungeons, but by the time they’d made it across the sea, we’d been informed that you’d been saved and taken to the castle.
I have been told of Prince Kiros’s proposal by spies very close to the king. After all this time, of threats and kisses shared, of hurts exchanged, words never said, I hope you remain open to my sincerity toward you. I have always cared for you, and in return, I hope you do for me. The mercreatures have overwhelmed our shores since your cousin has enforced new restraints on keeping them out of Magaelorean waters.
Attempts have been made to dethrone me. A vial of mer-venom found its way into my drink twice, getting past the tasters, with a delaying spell I presumed. It weakened me for a short while. I assumed it was done so they could try to kill me while I couldn’t fight back. I locked myself away, placing guards at every entrance until the threat passed.
Our kingdoms will not survive this rule. Of this I am certain. He plans to have me killed, believing it a necessary evil to reclaim the lands from a barbaric fae rule, or so he claims. I believe this to be the work of his council.
They have the sword. They are coming.
His numbers are growing by the day, with more of his people rallying to his cause. Merchants have fled after new taxes have been placed, taking refuge on Inferis. There is civil unrest too, with many not accepting him as their king. He calls your magic necromancy. I believe this to be Berovia’s words, not Edgar’s.
You cannot come back to reclaim your throne without a show of force. Never have I seen things so divided. Please, for your kingdom, for mine, and my life, marry Prince Kiros. It is necessary, to keep peace.
I know what you are giving up.
