“My father’s been looking for this for years. It was forged from demon blood and wields dark magic. The scepter has been hidden for thousands of years, though. The only information he’s been able to find on its whereabouts is an old text that reads:The Vircilian Scepter lies with the gem of the Underworld.He’s convinced that it’s somewhere in the Caves of Kandor because the Infinite Sea Territories are also knownas the sea’s jewels. He’s been trying to get into the caves, but they’re heavily warded.”
I guess that explains why he’s been attacking the Infinite Sea Territories all these years. He’ll do anything to get his hands on more power.
“So, what’s the plan?” Artemus asks Ryder.
“We need to find it before he does, which means we need to find a way to break through those wards. Between that and planning our attack, three months will feel like three weeks. And you,” he says, turning to face me again, “need all the time you can to get back into fighting shape.”
I despise the insult, but he’s right. I have the body of an eighty-year-old woman right now.
The four of them dissect different areas on the map, moving pins and figurines around while I simply sit in silence, processing all of the information that’s been thrown at me. The most important thing I learned tonight is that my friends are safe. As long as I know they’re alive, nothing else matters. I’ll do whatever it takes to get back to them.
“Rise and shine, Princess. Training starts out back in fifteen minutes.”
Ryder’s face is the last thing I wanted to wake up to this morning. In fact, I didn’t want to wake up at all. It’s the first night I’ve slept in a bed in over two months, and no part of me wants to leave the comfort of it.
“Don’t you have more important things to do in the kingdom?” I insist when I walk outside.
“Nope. Today, my only order of business is to whip you back into shape.”
I wince slightly at his choice of words, recalling the feeling of lashes against my skin. I instinctively reach for my back, running my fingers along the ridges of the scars as if to remind myself it was real.
Ryder’s face tenses like he’s reading my thoughts, but he doesn’t say anything.
“Where do we start?” I ask, wanting to shift the energy between us.
“Hmm.” He strokes his chin in thought before a slow grin spreads across his face. “Let’s start with your favorite, shall we? Give me twenty push-ups.”
I don’t bother hiding my loathing as I drop to the ground. Of course, he only seems more pleased with himself seeing my reaction.
I couldn’t be happier when Tilly calls us in for lunch. It’s like I’m starting from scratch. Everything I do makes me feel like I’m either going to throw up or die. I don’t know how I’m going to get back into shape in only three months.
“This looks amazing,” I praise as I grab a turkey leg and set it on my plate. I can’t tell if she’s a great cook or if it’s just been so long since I’ve had anything that resembles real food.
“Eat up. We've gotta put some meat on those bones.” I roll my eyes at Ryder, but it only earns a laugh.
“Where are the others?” I ask Artemus. I should really learn their names if I’m going to be here a while.
“Jace and Roman are dealing with Cylas.”
Perfect, now that I know their names, I just need to figure out which is which.
“How’s that going?” Ryder asks.
“As well as you can expect,” Artemus answers with a shrug that makes me think it’s not going well at all.
“I’ll pay him a visit,” Ryder says before taking a bite of peas.
“Aren’t you worried it’ll blow your cover if you do that?”
The two men look at me as if I’ve told a joke. When I don’t laugh, Ryder puts down his spoon and leans forward on his elbows.
“Reign, you need to understand that this is war. I may not be cruel like my father, but there will be no mercy for those who serve him.”
“What about me then?” I push away from the table and stand up. “Some of us didn’t have a choice!”
I storm out of the house, letting the door slam behind me. Tears begin to stream down my face, and I let them. Better tears than flames. I feel my heat rising but push it back down.
“Don’t hold it in!” Ryder calls out from behind me. “Let yourself feel it. The anger. The heartbreak. The hate. The guilt. Feel it all and let it go.”
