Page 91 of The Princess of Nothing
“Before you go.” I leaned against the bookshelf, shifting the weight from my feet. “Tell me why you’re sad. I saw you in a dream, suffering. Then there was the night when you were crying. I feel your sorrow. I was drawn to you. I can’t explain it.”
“I can’t.” He choked. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Fae couldn’t lie, which made his avoidance all the worse. “Please, Blaise.”
He looked away. “I’ll be going now.”
“I’m here for you,” I called after him. “Always.”
He paused before walking out the door. “Good night, Winter.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Winds hassled us aswe prepared for more men coming in from the south. I pushed the side of my hand against my eyebrows, shielding my eyes from the bright sunlight that arrowed through a gap in the thick cloud cover. I’d stayed up all night reading. My eyes were heavy, but my mind was sharp. I lifted my chin and looked from Cedric to Morgana. Both stood on either side of me, strong, loyal, and ready to fight. “Do you think it will work?” I asked.
“I believe it could,” Cedric replied. “Have you discussed the plan with Adius?”
I nodded quickly. “The hunters at the edge of the forest on the other side of the border are on our side, which we already knew. Magaelorean soldiers have always been afraid of the men of the woods. It’s more beneficial for us to keep them at the border, defending the path for more to be able to come into the kingdom than to bring them over right now,” I explained. “Now, the merchants who Blaise said fled to Inferis to avoid taxes and shutting down their trade routes, they will fund us. Naturally, they want me back in power. They can’t do business. If we can get word to them, they will send us food, armor, coins, and weapons. They have their supplies on ships in different areas and in storage places.” My hands trembled from the adrenaline rushing through my veins. “The mercreatures have been forced away by powerful lunas using spells to shield their shores. Of course, it means they’ve come to the fae’s colder seas. We can use them. I know the mer king, as you know.” I looked at Cedric. “And I can ask them to allow ships through. It’s worth a shot. I don’t know if he will go for it. I’ve thought about this a lot, but it’s time to do it.”
Morgana’s breath misted when she exhaled sharply. “We must ensure we attack as few lunas as possible. We want little tragedy. Edgar is our target, and the lords who support him, as well as the Berovians. Many lunas will be caught between swords, forced into a military they may not agree with. We go carefully.”
“Yes.” I wholeheartedly agreed. “I wish to unite, not divide us further. I think if we can show enough force, Edgar will concede.”
Cedric chimed in. “I don’t think he will. He knows his fate if he hands over the crown. If you don’t kill him, a loyalist will. Your rule will forever be in question as long as he may live. One of you will rule; one will die. It is what has to be. It was sealed the moment he became king.” He gave me a look. “Don’t look at me like that. It’s your kingdom’s rules, not ours. We wouldn’t kill a ruler. It’s archaic, but it’s just the system yours is built on. You believe you’re anointed by your god, creator, ancestors... it doesn’t matter. The point is, I understand what needs to be done and I’m not even from here.”
“I know what needs to be done,” I grumbled, then clasped my hands together. “If we can get the ships and, Morgana, you can stop the dragon’s magic being siphoned, then we may have a fighting chance. Firstly, I need to talk to the mer king.” A shiver danced down my spine. “To the ice-cold waters it is.”
“Before we go.” Cedric looked out over the gray mountain base and snowy tops. “I should have led with this, but Enchante has become the go-to area when people arrive. The border is heavily guarded, but with the hunters helping, as you can see, people are still coming through. They’ll be hungry and tired. Not everyone has your stamina.”
I smirked. “I suppose.”
Morgana cleared her throat. “We need to ask your merchants, sailors, and men to deliver food to Enchante too. Not just Fairmont. And weapons.”
“Yes. Good thinking.”
“It was Cedric’s plan,” she said. “It’s a good one.”
