Tempest was going to be our only stop, but King Malachi changed his mind after the blessing.
Callum opens his mouth to answer, but the king storms over, cutting him off. “We’re not going to Solace anymore. I’ve been called to the palace for business. Wilhelm, I want you and Maliren to go ahead on my behalf and check the new weaponry Lord Lochlan acquired.”
The thought of returning to the palace without Callum or Greer is unsettling.
“Can’t I go with them?” I ask quickly. “The Rite isn’t for another week.”
“Why do you care about weaponry?” King Malachi lifts an eyebrow in suspicion.
“I don’t.” My fingers fidget with a buckle on my leather pants as I come up with something—anything—to pacify him before he drags me back to the palace alone. “But this will be my kingdom to save soon, yes? I’ve felt such a connection here in Tempest. I thought visiting Solace might help as well.”
“You think it will help with your magic?” He glances at where I press my palm over my stomach, and I nod. “Very well.”
My shoulders relax as King Malachi agrees, but when his gaze falls on Cyan, they stiffen again.
“Cyan,” he calls Callum’s father over. “I’m leaving you and the Guard in charge of Elorie in my absence. She’ll be traveling to Solace with the rest of the group.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea, Your Majesty?”
King Malachi cuts a hard glare in Cyan’s direction, who says no more in way of argument. “If anything happens to her?—”
“It won’t.” Wilder strides up, a cocky grin painting a mask of arrogance on his face. “Even if your Guard fails, I’m pretty sure I can handle one human girl.”
“You’re going to Solace?” My throat dries.
At the very least, I assumed he’d return with the king instead of tagging along on a mission to inspect weaponry for his enemy’s war against his realm. Especially when I suspect they won’t let him anywhere near those meetings. But clearly, that’s not the case.
He shrugs. “Lochlan and I are old friends. It’ll be good to say hello.”
“I’m guessing you were friends before you decided to destroy his home and his people?”
“Long before.” Dark amusement plays in Wilder’s eyes.
It stirs something in my chest, so I look away.
King Malachi thinks for a moment, considering Wilder’s offer. They might be enemies, but we’re all tied until the Rite binds me to one of them. Which I assume is the only reason he trusts me with an enemy king.
“Very well.” King Malachi takes a step toward me, tipping my chin up. “If seeing our kingdom will help you with your magic, so be it.”
He leans in for a kiss, but I turn so he catches my cheek, hoping the shift appears intentional.
Over his shoulder, Selia watches us. Her eyes show little emotion, but storm clouds hang heavy overhead.
King Malachi takes my avoidance with grace, even as his fingers tighten on my chin, pinching me ever so slightly as he stares into my eyes. The hard edge in his blue gaze is a warning. A silent threat before he takes a step back.
A priestess mumbles, pressing her palm to the breeze as if it were a glass wall and not thin air. Her fingers glow until the ground quakes and a Gateway forms.
The king offers a final glance before Selia tugs his arm, and they disappear back to the Ley Court with half the Guard. I catch the scent of honeysuckle before it closes. Sweet, when I know the Ley Court is anything but.
Once the Gateway shuts, the priestess steps away, leaving us.
“Isn’t she going to open the Gate to Solace?” My eyebrows pinch.
“Gateways won’t get us into Solace. Lochlan and his paranoia.” Callum brushes his dark hair off his forehead.
Wilder chuckles, and both Callum and I look over at him. “I’m guessing he finally did it.”
“Did what?” I ask.
