My eyes widened. If the attack had reached the papers, that meant Ree, Gwen, and Timith likely knew as well, which meant that I needed to check in with them immediately.
Betsee went about her work, tidying up my chambers and opening the curtains. I used the moment to contact my aunt and uncle mentally, and as soon as my magic connected with them, my aunt breathed a sigh of relief, and my uncle voiced his gratitude that we were all okay.
But when I checked in with Ree, she was near panicking.
Prim, Stars Above, I’ve been worried sick!
I winced.I’m so sorry. I only just found out that the entire capital knows.I got up to eat breakfast and made sure to use the potion before doing so, but my hand shook when I poured the foggy contents over my tray. The events of last night and reliving it all as I explained it to Ree made it seem even more imperative that I never forget to use the potion.
The entire time Ree and I were speaking, I sipped tea and ate a baguette while Kole watched me from his position near the wall. He’d declined joining me, and I figured it went against his duties. Callahan and Xaven were also still on guard, and I couldn’t help but wonder how tired they must all be.
By the time I finished breakfast, I’d gotten Ree up to speed on the new restrictions that’d been placed on me.
So you’re now locked in the palace until whoever’s behind this is caught?
I sighed.Yes, my parents think it’s safest, but I don’t plan to sit idle. I’m going to speak with them to see if I can help research the creatures. Perhaps if we can discover what they truly are, we’ll have a clue as to where they came from or why they’re after me.
Good idea. I can help, too, if your parents allow it. Just tell me where and when, and I’ll be there.
I was so grateful for her support, but when Betsee approached me, I told Ree I had to go.
Contact me soon, she said.
I will, I promise.
Alone in my head once more, I plastered a smile on my face.
Betsee clasped her four hands together. “Your Highness, we really must make haste so you’re not late for the king and queen. They want to introduce you to the rest of your family this morning.”
“Oh, of course, I nearly forgot about that.” I stood and followed the lady’s attendant to my wardrobe. The entire time, Kole’s aura strummed through the room.
“Did you sleep all right?” Betsee glanced over her shoulder, her blue-tinged skin shining in the morning sunlight.
“I did.” It took everything in me not to blush. Kole had ensured I slept soundly. “Did you?”
She sighed. “I tried, my lady, but it was hard once I heard about the events in the maze. I also tried to come by to help with undressing you following that horrible disaster, but the warrior in the hallway turned me away.”
“Thank you for trying, but don’t worry. I managed just fine.”
“Shall I draw you a bath before you dress?”
I shook my head. “No need. I bathed last night. And if my parents are expecting me, I can just dress and go meet them.”
“Very well.” She opened the wardrobe to rifle through the options just as a knock came at the door. A pulse of my chambers’ magical wards flared around the doorframe, but the alarms weren’t triggered.
I peeked around the changing area to see Kole grasp the door handle and pull it open.
Xaven stood in the hallway. The blond had a similar appearance to Kole, a day’s worth of beard and heavy-looking eyes. Behind him stood three males, all carrying weapons, yet they were males I’d never seen before.
“Our replacements are here.” Xaven hooked a thumb over his shoulder.
Kole looked them up and down, and a slight edge of irritation flared in his aura. One of the males behind Xaven, with auburn hair and blades strapped to his waist, smirked slightly at Kole.
“Swordwielder, you’re being relieved of duty,” he stated, and his smirk grew.
Kole’s expression didn’t falter, but another pulse of energy entered his aura. “You’ve been briefed on what happened last night?”
They all dipped their heads, but auburn-hair’s smirk remained, and he replied dryly, “You know you can trust us.”
