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That…was a weighty request, and one I shouldn’t agree to lightly. Yet at the same time, it seemed like the right thing to do. My father needed to take a hit to his power, that was for certain, because I didn’t have enough strength or abilities to take him down myself.
“If you, Prince Nikolai, could convince them to ally with you instead of your father, that would be one of the biggest gains toward peace in years. It’s worth risking my life for.”
In truth, it would certainly be good to have the entire Verdana Isle behind me when I challenged my father, but I didn’t want to agree right away. There were some decisions, even if incredibly appealing, that shouldn’t be rushed into.
“I’d need to think about it to make the best decision.”
“Of course. You’ve just woken up from some intense injuries, and I’m sure you wish to discuss things with your mate. If there’s anything I’ve learned in the time that I’ve been lucky enough to get to know Ayla, it’s that her insight is like no other.”
“You don’t need to flatter me, Aodin. You already saved me and all your friends.”
We all shared a chuckle, and the fae stood, giving us a bow. “I’m glad we’re all on the same page now. I do believe the best way to smuggle you safely to my home will be in three days’ time. I managed to contact some merchants that have a trading contract with Blath. They’re going to stop in Lambert, and there we’ll be able to get onboard a ship. Of course there’ll likely be searches for you, but they’ve got a particular setup that…circumvents that.”
“They’re smugglers, aren’t they?”
“They’re smugglers,” Aodin said with a smirk. “But nothing overly illegal. More recreational items, along with certain untaxed cheeses and wines.”
Ayla blurted her own laugh. “Cheeses and wines? Is there that much of a scene for illegally transported luxury items?”
“You’d be amazed what the rich will do to avoid paying proper taxes,” Aodin answered. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to peel myself out of these clothes and take my own rest. I look forward to your answer in the next two days.”
“Rest well,” Ayla said, and I echoed her sentiment. The fae headed out, leaving my mate and me alone.
“So, all of that happened, didn’t it?” I asked, reaching out to put my hand over hers.
“It most certainly did.” I was relieved when she started sliding into my bed to curl up next to me. There’d have been a time that such an intense hiccup in our plans would have her claiming that we needed to break up. I was incredibly relieved we were past that point in our relationship.
It was hard to say if everything that’d happened was the result of Ayla’s curse ramping up further or just the complication of a father who’d turned into a borderline mad dictator. He had to be stopped, one way or another, and it was never going to happen peaceably.
“We have a lot to discuss, don’t we?” Ayla asked, her smaller body pressing against mine. I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her to me.
“We do. But first, let’s sleep, shall we?”
Ayla pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek, and I couldn’t help the pleased rumble in my chest. Although I would die for her, I was happy I didn’t have to.
“Yes, let’s.”
Chapter 9
Ayla
In the end, we agreed to Aodin’s terms. I’d wanted to accept them on the spot, but I understood it wasn’t the time or place. Plus, it seemed irresponsible to automatically agree to something so important. The future of Camdaria was at stake.
While we waited the two days before our travels to Lambert, though, I couldn’t get Aodin’s words out of my mind. Vekas had managed to take over at least fifteen other nations, and Camdaria hadn’t helped a single one of them. Then they’d tried to kill some people who dared seek refuge from the onslaught. How many innocent people died because they didn’t have to? How many would continue to die if we didn’t manage to stop King Nathaniel?
It made me sick, my heart squeezing every time his statements played through my mind. So much bloodshed. So much fear. It was like Vekas itself was a malevolent force, feeding off the pain and suffering of everyone.
For once, I didn’t feel guilty, either, that my curse had caused everything. I was sure that it had certainly complicated a thing or two, made certain circumstances harder, but in the end, Camdaria was heading toward a point of no return, and doing so rapidly.
“Shit,” Aodin said from the front, where he was operating the steam-carriage, which drew my attention from where I was laying in the back. According to him, we had convincing glamours on, and while I couldn’t see them, I certainly could feel his magic. It simmered over my skin like a prickly paste, mildly uncomfortable, but worth it if it kept us safe.
“Checkpoint?” I asked as I sat up. I wasn’t exactly surprised. It wasn’t every day the heir apparent squared up to the king in the middle of a gala full of all sorts of high ranking and influential nobles.
“Yup.”
“We have your glamours, though, right?”
“Yes, of course. But no official travel papers, and I’m not sure if any of them will know your scents.”
