Aeric finally said, “We’ll make the arrangements to escort Anelize to the castle tomorrow night. Then we’ll be one step closer in putting an end to all of this. I’ll trust that you will all do your parts.”
Gabriel nodded. “I’ll tell the others to prepare for the night of the Senin. We will be ready.”
As they all continued discussing their plans, Anelize silently willed the curse she felt slithering around in the back of her mind to settle. Long enough for her to do what needed to be done and finally save her sister. So that they may return home.
PART THREE
THE PAWNS
OF
KINGS
THE WICKED THIEF
The thief knows the truth as well as he knows lies.
His greed is hunger; his deceit is his misfortune.
Through shadows and whispers spoken in the night, he waits.
He prays he will not be caught, that he will no longer
hear their cries.
His greed is hunger; his deceit is his misfortune.
Like all thieves, he too shall meet his end, by my hand
or his own.
24
Anelize spent the next day locked away in her room finishing Castian’s tonics, hoping to help his pain and fatigue. With her being gone for the week of the Senin, there was no telling if she would be able to return to administer them to the prince herself.
The pleasant aroma of lavender and peppermint filled her room as she crushed herbs in the mortar and pestle, moving as quickly as she could to finish her work. For once, she enjoyed not having to go off to the stables to train with Adan. Instead, focusing on the one thing that brought her peace of mind in the mundane routine she had once developed for herself in her father’s shop.
It was long gone now, but maybe one day she would be able to bring it back. Rebuild and start anew. Mold a life for herself that she wanted for once. Not to pay off debts and survive. One that would bring her happiness once this was all over. It was a hope she found herself clinging onto for quite some time now. Once she brought Enid and Wellyn home, she would consider it.
She started writing down specific instructions for Zara to follow in her absence when a knock came at her door.
Her heart gave a jolt that she felt throughout her body when she found Aeric standing in the hall. He was dressed in his Watchman’s uniform with a cloak fastened around hisshoulders. The black and burgundy colors clashing with the blue of his irises. He lifted a bundle in his hands as he asked, “May I?”
Nodding, she pushed the door open and allowed him inside.
“Everything is set. We should start heading out by sundown.” A grin met his lips as he took in the mess scattered around the vanity. “You do know there is such a thing as rest.”
“Talk to me about rest when you take to following your own advice,” she quipped as she began cleaning up and sorting the vials to one side.
“Zara says you’ve hardly eaten anything all day,” Aeric said as he picked up one of the tonics and eyed them.
“I wasn’t hungry. Can hardly stand to do much of anything else knowing where it is that I am about to go,” she said, plucking the vial from his hand and setting it down on the table beside the instructions she’d left for Zara.
“It will be all right. Here. Put these on,” Aeric said as he tossed her the bundle.
When she caught it, she glanced down and saw they were clothes. A crème-colored skirt, a simple light blue tunic with buttons running along the front, and a white vest embroidered in intricate patterns.
When she arched a brow, he said, “You’ll be heading into the castle at the request of the king’s physician. After the raids yesterday, he has been especially short-staffed and is in need of a helping hand. He has requested for another assistant after the last one ran off, and luckily for us, you’re the only one available that I could find.”
