Page 56 of The King of Koraha
“It does matter,” Rendor said, catching the hint to take over the questioning. “The King would like to know what problems you’ve been dealing with.”
As the princess explained about a group of rebels who were gathering support to overthrow the princess and whose headquarters couldn’t be found, Shyla burrowed into the woman’s emotions, bypassing the adoration for the commander. She found the frustration over the lack of response from the King and the relief when Xerxes arrived. And nothing else. Just more gushing about the merc commander.
Wow, the princess was completely smitten. There had to be more to the woman. Shyla pressed deeper, searching the princess’s soul. There were a few thoughts about not sending the taxes to the King this upcoming round and giving it to Xerxes instead. Treason didn’t bother her nor was she worried about the King’s reaction. Xerxes said he and his squad could handle anyone the King sent. And she trusted him absolutely.
The woman had no doubts. No worries. No concerns. No guilt. Which explained her serenity. Yet there was still some of her own soul inside her. There had to be in order for the woman to function as the princess and run the city. If Lonato had used his magic on her, he hadn’t given her the full…treatment like he had for his minion.
Shyla hated to plant doubts about Xerxes in the princess’s thoughts, but the woman needed to see that he was a criminal and she couldn’t trust him. Except, when Shyla inserted those ideas, they melted and dissolved like the fake coins in water. Either the princess was incredibly strong-willed or something else was going on. Although what that “something else” could be, she hadn’t a clue.
Rendor finished with his follow-up questions so Shyla had to pull back. Besides, she was uncomfortable with how deep she’d already gone. They said goodbye to the Water Princess and promised to keep her updated about the investigation.
Once they were far enough away from the princess’s cavern, Rendor said, “I thought we were supposed to keep the theft a secret.”
“She already knew.” Shyla told him what she’d learned. “In the princess’s eyes, Xerxes can do no wrong.”
“Sounds like she wasn’t involved in the crime.”
“She wasn’t.”
“But?” Rendor prompted.
“All she thought about was Xerxes. He’s a big influence on her life.”
“Do you think Lonato used his magic to make her believe Xerxes?”
“He could have. Xerxes and Lonato are working together. Although…” She stopped her next thought.
Of course Rendor wouldn’t let it slide. “Although?”
“Xerxes is a handsome man; maybe she’s infatuated. Or obsessed.”
“He’s notthathandsome,” Rendor huffed. “Obsession is a strong emotion. It tends to push out logic and reason.”
True. The Water Princess certainly shoved Shyla’s mental suggestion to be careful away. Too bad there was nothing Shyla could do about it. At least not now. Hopefully the King would have a better idea of how to solve this problem. “We need to check if there is a caravan leaving for Qulsary.”
Rendor agreed. “We’ve already picked up a few tails.” He paused. “Do we need to talk to the Heliacal Priest before we leave? See what he knows about this situation?”
Instinctively, she recoiled from the idea. However, not all priests or priestesses viewed sun-kisseds the same as the zealot who had overseen the spiritual well-being of the citizens of Zirdai. That priestess had called Shyla evil, sun-cursed, and destined to spend eternity in the seven caverns of hell.
Would the priest have any information? He and his deacons were responsible for growing and cooking food for everyone who paid them a tithe. They also led the worship services for the Sun Goddess, who they claimed was their higher power and not the King.
Reluctantly, she said, “We probably should. He might have some information on the mercs in the city. They have to eat like everyone else. And the deacons tend to know everyone in their chapel districts.” And torture them! No, that was in Zirdai. In the past. Shyla pulled in a calming breath but admitted, “I’d rather catch one of the mercs following us and find the information that way.”
“Might be harder to do than I thought,” he said.
“Why? Are they not following us anymore?”
“Oh, they’re still trailing us, and there’s more of them.” His voice remained calm.
“How many?”
“Six, maybe eight. But that’s not the problem.”
“Whatisthe problem?”
“Xerxes is with them. And if he’s being careless enough to allow me to spot him, that makes me worried about what he has planned.”
“We shouldn’t head back to our rooms.”
