“That explains the childlike handwriting.” Castiel’s gaze grows even more troubled. “Ronwen and the healer were arrested by Queen Maewe’s soldiers. The kid managed to escape.”
“What does that mean? Do you think she knows about King Ruel’s plans?” I ask.
Castiel rubs his face, looking into the distance. “There’s a high chance.”
Panic rises to my throat. “What about my brother? If she knows, she’ll likely try to stop him.”
He turns to me, and the pitiful glimmer in his eyes makes my stomach bottom out. Karl and Manu are on their own.
Before Castiel can reply, a guard comes running toward us. “Forgive me, Your Highness. You must return to the luncheon with haste.”
“Why?”
“It’s Telar Nyrk.”
Castiel’s face seems to drain of color. Without a word, he runs back into the palace, and naturally, Ronan and I follow him. Telar supposedly returned to Aquila with Ronwen. Did the captain betray us? The letter from Dukie doesn’t mention him, but the kid wouldn’t know anything about Telar.
The courtiers are gathered near the dais, blocking our view of some sort of commotion. But the smell of blood tells me someone is hurt. They part for Castiel, and suddenly, the prince falters. “Telar!”
He sprints toward the Aquila captain, who’s on the floor, kneeling and clutching his middle. Even though his hand is covering his stomach, I see the big bloodstain on his tunic, plus all the bruises and cuts on his face. He was beaten to a pulp.
“What happened?” Castiel asks.
“I’m so sorry,” Telar whimpers, closing his eyes and toppling forward into Castiel’s arms.
“No, Telar! Wake up.” Castiel shakes him.
The captain opens his eyes again, but barely.
“What does Queen Maewe know?” the king asks.
“She knows about the quest in the Valley of Lost Souls,” Telar grits out with difficulty.
I cover my mouth, trying to hide a gasp. She knows about Karl, then. Ronan throws his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to his side.
“Does she know about Lynx’s involvement?” King Koran leans forward, his shrewd gaze more cunning than ever.
Telar closes his eyes again, and Castiel cradles him as if he were a child. No, not a child. His lover. “Now isn’t the time to interrogate him. He needs a healer!”
“He’s compromised, son. We can’t trust him,” the king replies.
Castiel lifts Telar off the floor and glowers at his father. “I don’t care.”
He walks the wind, taking Telar with him. The courtiers all start to speak at once as the king and queen look at each other as if communicating mind to mind.
Ronan and I move away from the center of the party into a deserted corner of the room. “We can’t stay here,” I say.
“I know. But we can’t rush into Aquila without knowing more. It’s possible Karl and Manu are still in the Valley of Lost Souls. Right now, it’s possibly the safest place for them.”
Tears prickle my eyes. “I know. I hope you’re right.”
If he isn’t, then my brother and Manu will most likely die.
Forty-Six
RONAN
ELLNESARI, PRESENT DAY
