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“The betrayer of Nuria,” Gavyn growled.
Ajali nodded. “I am being hunted and pushed into a corner so that I may do something rash, and then they could secure me. Acheron’s spies report whispers of the emperor wanting my presence in the dungeon of Mevia.”
“How do we proceed?” Gavyn asked, raking a hand through his hair. “As you say, we do not have enough evidence to declare
war, and we cannot allow them to capture you. No one has ever escaped Mevia’s dungeon…save Acheron.”
Ajali moved to sit on the edge of the desk, facing them. “We wait. Mevia hides behind assassins from the Darkage and Avindar. These assassins are not acting on behalf of their own realms, but for Mevia. To move aggressively against the assassins’ kingdom is folly. The enemy must be fully understood and revealed before we act.”
Ajali raised one of his hands for silence as the slightest hint of disturbance stirred inside his mind.
“What is it?” Uriah asked.
Ajali frowned as he felt the stirrings again. Was it from Tehdra? He opened the pathway, carefully seeking her and found nothing. He tried several times and came up empty yet the echoes of uneasiness simmered inside. “Do you sense any disturbance, Acheron?”
He waited as Acheron delved deep inside, searching for any ripples.
His blade stood. “I sense nothing. What did you feel?”
“There was a whisper against my mind, strange enough that I tried to find the pathway that Tehdra and I formed, but I sensed nothing.”
“You and Tehdra have formed a mental connection?” Acheron asked.
“Yes.”
Bastien’s lips flattened in clear disapproval.
Gavyn tensed, concern furrowing his brow. “Is she disturbed?”
“I cannot feel her at all. I am not sure if the connection is something that is temporary or permanent.”
Ajali, The softest of rustles against his mind had tension tightening his frame.
Tehdra. He pushed through the pathway, unraveling its intricate weave. He was met with no response. “Something ails Tehdra.”
“I will go,” Gavyn said as he flashed from the room.
Ajali restrained the urge to follow, trusting his blade, even though everything in him clamored to investigate.
Gavyn appeared less than a minute after leaving. “I searched your chambers, Ajali. The morning rooms show sign of her breaking her fast, but no sense of Tehdra.”
“What is it?” Ajali asked at the suspicion that swept across his blade’s face.
“There is clutter. Her plate overturned and her fork on the ground. Minuscule, but unusual.”
Ajali flashed out of the room before Gavyn finished speaking. Ajali pushed along the link, seeking but not locating any tendrils to follow. Could it be that the link only opened with his consuming her blood? He did not know. Tehdra was a warrior; she could be searching the court. He dismissed such a ludicrous thought as it occurred. He had told her to remain sequestered in his wing for the day until he dealt with his kingdom’s awareness that she was a Darkan. She had understood his unspoken request.
He entered the chamber. There was no evidence of a battle, yet his skin prickled with danger. With speed he investigated his wing, moving from the harem and on to the inner court with his blades at his heels.
“My king, this is unheard of,” Bastien snapped. “A spy in our kingdom who is missing is not of such import that it disturbs our meeting!”
Ajali slashed Bastien a hard glare, and his high chancellor blanched.
“I will consult with my spies, kalija,” Uriah said as he sped away.
Xian’s expression mirrored pain and acceptance. “She means this much to you, kalija? Even though a Darkan?” she asked hoarsely
She followed him as they flashed to the highest turret of castle Shelah.
