Page 111 of The Court of Secrets
“I can track Licia, who will lead us to the necromancer, but we will need to act fast. Once Licia gets what he wants from him, he’ll leave. That, or the necromancer will kill him.” She pressed her fingers against her temples. “My sight has been unclear. The necromancer is cloaking them, but I have a way of reaching Licia. It’ll be difficult, but I believe I can do it.”
I leaned forward, pushing my elbows against my thighs. “I have every faith in you. What do you need me to do?”
“If I need help, I will ask.” Concern etched her features, making my breath hitch.
“What do we do when we find him?”
“I—”
The door was wrenched back, stealing her next words. I was faced with a wild-eyed Adius. Snow coated his traveling cloak, which was red to match his uniform. He blinked off snowflakes. “Your Majesty. We rode here as fast as we could.” The sun rose behind him and Lepidus, glimmering the snow settled around the obsidian castle and towers. “You were not in your room when we arrived half an hour ago. A stable hand told us there was a carriage waiting here, so I thought I’d check.” He gave a quick nod to Morgana, then looked back at me. Had the necromancer already caused enough havoc to have Adius race to me in the night? He must have not stopped.
“What’s happened?” I rubbed the sleep from my bloodshot eyes.
“The attack on Lepidus was no coincidence. One of the lords was behind it.”
Morgana interjected. “They were feral faeries, not lunas.”
“I know.” He gripped the edge of the door tightly. “They had no organization in their want to attack Blaise, until one of the lords helped them. He gave them a way in, and they took it. The lords Louis and Gregoir believe King Kiros behind Vahaga’s disappearance. He’s still missing, and there is much disarray at the castle.”
“What evidence do they have?” I knew they weren’t behind it, but I couldn’t say as much without having to explain my knowledge.
“They have none, only timing. They think Kiros’s visit to Niferum is too well-timed with their high priest going missing.”
“Timing is not enough to accuse a king and kingdom.”
“It’s enough to start a rebellion. Louis has gathered his men at court, and Gregoir has sent for his from Redwinter Province.”
“To what? Come after Kiros?”
“I believe that’s why they were initially called upon, but their plans have changed.”
Anxiety coursed adrenaline through my veins, making my hands shake. I sat on them, but my teeth were chattering.
Adius continued. “Their men now protect the sacred area of Ash Forest. Someone let slip about your plan to destroy the spirit realm and everything you said about the ancestors and how our magic is draining all of them but the ancestors, priests, and kings.”
The cards had been right. “Who?”
“It was not me or Nissa. She rode with me, as did Florence. Your mother has been imprisoned for hearsay. She actually sided with you on this one.”
Morgana nodded along, listening carefully. “We must strategize before going back.”
“We need to handle our problem here first.” I gave her a look. Everything was falling apart on both ends.
“Magaelor needs you first. Let me handle finding them,” Morgana said.
The conviction in her tone calmed me. Adius puffed out his cheeks, hunching over. “It must have been the lady Penelope.”
I should have just told Nissa and Mai. I knew Penelope was far too quiet. “She’ll regret that.”
He licked his lips, and fear laced his green eyes. “We went to the river. Nissa, Florence, Mai, and I went directly back to the castle. We thought Penelope would come, but it seems her mind was already made up. We all saw the truth. Your brother spoke to Florence, and Nissa’s dead aunt confirmed it.” He was without his staff for the first time. “However, I fear many at court will not be so easily swayed to believe the truth about the ancestors. More so, Louis is calling your legitimacy into question. He has been saying that a queen who does not serve the ancestors cannot be the head of a monarchy whose roots are based upon those teachings.”
“Of course he is.” I tsked. “He’s next in line.”
“He’s grasped the opportunity, and with them guarding the forest, those who are curious will not be able to go and find out for themselves. You must return home, Your Majesty, before Magaelor revolts.”
“We will leave now. I need to tell Blaise.”
Adius and Morgana both watched me incredulously. “There is no time. You could lose your crown and your head. We must go. Now.”
