Page 68 of The Court of Secrets
I rushed toward the door, covering myself, and swung it open. A guard I half-recognized greeted me with a bow.
“Your Majesty, we have been called to escort you back to the castle.”
“Thank you. I’ll come down when I’m ready.”
The door clicked shut, and I looked at Blaise. “Get up and get ready. We’re going back.”
He sported a lazy grin. “We could just stay here for a little longer. The mayhem will still be there in a few hours.”
“We could.” I pulled my dress on but saw him wince from the corner of my eye when he thought I wasn’t looking. “You’re still in pain.”
“It’s worth it.”
My shoulders slumped. “Blaise.”
“I can manage it, love. Besides, my men retrieved the Amulet of Viribus. I was told they’re already on their way back with it.”
“Cedric has arrived in Berovia then?”
He nodded. I wondered if he’d seen my letter yet.
“He’s gone to the solis court.”
I blinked twice. “What?”
“He has gone there many times before.”
I bit my lip. “He broke me out of that castle. Kiros hates him. Why would he go there?”
He shrugged. “To make peace. Probably at the request of his parents.”
“You still have spies there?”
“Why, love?”
“It’s not just Cedric I need to keep an eye on.” I paused. “It’s the princess. Neoma.”
He arched an eyebrow. “You’re not telling me something.”
“Last night I continued reading.”
He sighed with exasperation. “Of course you did. I was a fool to think you’d want to get some rest for once.”
I gave him a look. “The firstborn daughters after Evangeline were found dead in rituals where twelve people died. Coincidence?”
He sat upright. “What book is it in?”
“I bookmarked the pages for you to read. Blaise, don’t you see? We have a lead.” I felt a little lighter, even without my morning dose of the potion. I had found a thread connecting the necromancer, and if I tugged on it enough, I could unweave everything about him. Help Morgana. Help myself.
“I’ll look into rituals needing twelve sacrifices when we return.” He devoured books like I did, a hobby I appreciated us sharing.
“I’ll find my mother. She didn’t get caught going into the sacred part of the forest, and she might have been able to contact André. I need to know what she knows. If it has something to do with Vahaga…”
“We will figure all of this out, love. I promise.”
I nodded slowly. “I’m glad you got the Amulet. I don’t agree with how you got it, but at least this stupid curse on the Objects of Kai will be over.” I didn’t tell him the rest of my plan. Once the mer king broke the curses, I planned on running him through with the Dagger of Ruin, for dragging down my ship, the Marina, and killing my men.
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