Page 112 of A Kingdom of Magic and Rain

Minutes ticked by as my despair grew. I had never felt so powerless, even in the lowest point of my life. This was my new nadir, where all I could do was pace the library while others searched for my husband.

“Try to preserve your energy,” Lady May’s voice interrupted my spiraling thoughts. “You might need to siphon Silberium from Adrian when we find him, and you’re already weak from the poison.”

I heeded her advice and perched on one of the wooden chairs. “I wish I could do something instead of waiting on anyone else to find him. I feel like I’m failing him.”

“You’re not. Glimmering gives the others the ability to cover more ground in less time.” Though I had been growing stronger with my magic, the skill of glimmering still eluded me. “I’m sure we will hear from Killian or Tom soon.”

“If I were his mate, would I be able to feel him through the bond? I’ve read that the connection is like a thread, linking two hearts together.”

“Yes, a mating bond is not as precise as a locator spell, but you would be able to sense if he was in the general vicinity.”

I jumped to my feet, grasping at that tidbit of information as if it were a rope pulling me up. “Do you think Daelana would be able to sense him since she is his mate?”

The Sorceress scowled. “She might have been able to in the past, but Adrian has been taking a special potion I made for him to mute the mating bond.”

Her words extinguished the spark of hope. “I didn’t know he’s been taking a potion.”

“Truthfully, I’m not sure he has needed to. His ardent love for you has rendered the bond nearly nonexistent. He chose you, Emelin.”

“And now his choice might cost him his life.”

“I won’t let that happen.” She strode over to me and handed me back my ring.

“What are you going to do?”

“Someone is concealing him with magic, preventing me from being able to locate him. There is a spell I can try. I will upheave the earth if I have to.”

“You won’t have to,” Finn’s voice rang out from my left as he glimmered in. “I know where he is.”

“Where?!” I rushed to him and clasped his arms.

He looked at me with an impassive expression. “I’m going to require something in return for that information.”

“What?” I stared at him with wide eyes.

“You heard me. A blood oath would do. An oath that you’ll be in my debt, and when I come to collect, you’ll pay it no matter the price.”

My body went numb as I staggered back.

“Emelin,” Lady May warned from behind me.

“Anything. I’ll give you anything you want if you tell me where he is.”

“Excellent!” Finn procured a dagger from the sheath strapped to his belt. Since he hadn’t been wearing one earlier, he must have put it on before he had returned, knowing that I would agree to the oath.

I went through the motions of sealing the vow, barely feeling the bite of the blade on my hand.

“Where is he?” I asked again once Finn had gotten what he’d wanted as I absentmindedly wiped the blood dripping from my wound on my dress.

“The Fallowmere Mountains in the Rolamin Province. Queen Mother and Prince Tarn were spotted there. Zarana and Heiran as well. Oh, and your cousin.”

“Luna?” My brows knitted. Has she been conspiring against us?

Finn sauntered over to the table, waving at me to follow. “They were last seen around this area.” He pointed to a spot on the map.

“One of your informants saw them, and they didn’t do anything?” I demanded in disbelief.

“To be clear, they never saw the king. Besides, meddling in the royal power struggles is above their pay grade.” He shrugged and retreated from the table.