Page 19 of Storms of Allegiance

“It’s true they have great personal strength,” Hayes said. “But the royal family are traditionally elements mages. And what is needed in this crisis is plants mages. I’m sure if one of them was a plants mage, they would send him.”

The silence after his words vibrated with something unspoken and weighty, something I didn’t understand. I looked at Nik and found him completely still, his eyes riveted on Hayes.

“Is that true?” he finally asked, in a voice I didn’t recognize. “Do you really believe they would have trusted me with this if…?”

Hayes held his gaze. “You would have graduated by now if you’d never left. You’d be a proficient—a powerful one, on your way toward mastery. I have no doubt they would have sent you. Although naturally, you wouldn’t have been alone.”

For a second Nik looked so tense I feared he might physically lash out. But instead he swung around, turning his back to us and striding toward the door. Once he had it open, he paused, speaking without looking back over his shoulder.

“Talk in your endless circles if you must. You’ll see my plan is the only way that makes sense. When you’re ready to take action, I’ll be waiting. The rest of you can go to the capital if you insist on groveling before the throne. But Master Amara and Delphine must continue on in their usual way. We don’t know what spies Grey may yet have, and we can’t tip him off to our plan.”

He finally glanced back, his eyes somehow both cold and alight. “Consult whoever you must, but don’t put Delphine in danger by doing so.”

Without waiting for a response, he stepped out of the room, shutting the door firmly behind him.

Hayes watched him go sadly. “So much potential wasted,” he murmured under his breath.

“What happened?” I asked, finally mustering the courage to voice the question that had been burning inside me ever since I found out the truth about Nik. The question I knew I didn’t really have a right to ask. “Why did a royal prince become a reneger?”

Hayes opened his mouth only to close it again and shake his head. When his eyes met mine, they were tired and sad.

“I think that’s information he should tell you himself. When he’s ready. If he wants to.”

I flushed, looking away. Spending time in the company of master mages and royalty made it surprisingly easy to forget who I really was—nobody of any particular importance. There was no reason for a farm girl from a remote part of the kingdom to be given information on the private matters of the royal family. It was only by chance I had even been included this much.

“Are we really considering it?” Luna asked. “Will we send Delphine to Grey?”

“His plan does have some merit,” Clay said softly.

“Clay!” Amara glared at him.

He held up both hands placatingly. “Just think about it, Amara. We don’t know why Grey wants powerful youngsters, but it’s clear he has no interest in causing them any immediate harm. And Delphine is a healer—one who knows how to protect herself from other healers. I wouldn’t consider it if she was defenseless, but she can both protect herself and heal herself if needed. Grey wants to use her, not hurt her.”

“I can’t believe we’re considering this.” Amara threw up her hands, but I could see she was starting to think about it.

But could I do it? Could I voluntarily walk into Grey’s hands and turn myself over? I shuddered at the idea, remembering the feeling of his blade plunging into my middle.

More powerful still, however, was the image of Miranda’s face as Grey dragged her away. I had rescued everyone else, but I had failed her.

And then I thought of my parents. The usual conflicting emotions surged immediately to the surface. But as soon as I pictured our fields covered in blight, the roiling confusion settled. I might not know how to feel about my father, but I couldn’t bear the idea of our farm ruined in such a way. If I was the only one who could help the farmers of Tartora—and my friend along with them—I had to try.

“I don’t know if I can do it,” I said. “I don’t know if I can convince him to tell me his secrets. But I’m willing to try.”

“Delphine…” Amara put a gentle hand on my knee. “It isn’t something you need to decide right now.”

I smiled at her. “I’m not going to change my mind. Not unless the situation changes. We have to do something, and this seems like the best option.”

I didn’t add the rest of my thoughts. Nik didn’t wish me harm. He was another person I had conflicting emotions about, but I was certain of that. If he truly believed this was the only viable option, then I believed it had at least a chance of working.

“Amara’s right,” Hayes said briskly. “There’s no need to make any final decisions right now. Prince Nikolas himself said it’s essential that Amara and Delphine head northeast in their usual way. That gives us time. Clay, Luna, and I can go to the capital and consult with King Marius and the Triumvirate. If they endorse the plan, they’ll assign us guards. We can meet in Eldrida and make our final decisions there. If the situation has changed, or if you don’t want to take the risk, Delphine, you can say so then. No one will force you to do this. If necessary, we can take Grey by force and find a way to make him talk afterward.”

I knew my mind wasn’t going to change, but I nodded. It was obvious the adults weren’t going to accept my certainty until they’d had a chance to put it to the test.

“That means we have to split up.” Luna gripped my hand, her face drooping. “I thought we were going to stay together for several more months.”

“We’ll see each other again in Eldrida,” I said, patting her hand.

She scrunched up her nose. “Where even is that?”

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