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A lantern’s blaze cut through the darkness, bringing the face of Cleo’s confidante into view.
She wiped the sleep from her eyes and sat up in bed. “What is it, Nerissa? Is something wrong?”
“I’m not sure ‘wrong’ is quite the correct word . . . but there’s something I knew you’d want to know, and it can’t wait until morning.”
“Tell me.”
Nerissa sat on the edge of the bed. “Jonas and Nic returned yesterday.”
“What? Why am I not hearing this until now?”
“The prince got to them first and didn’t want you to know.”
Oh, no. A thousand different scenarios of how their return might have played out burst into her head at once.
“Are they all right? What has Magnus done to them?”
“They’re fine,” Nerissa assured her. “I just saw them briefly. Jonas asked me to tell you he’s leaving at dawn, boarding a ship at Black Harbor bound for Kraeshia.”
“To Kraeshia? Why to Kraeshia? To go after Amara and the water Kindred?”
“No. The prince has learned that King Gaius is currently in Kraeshia. He’s sent him over to . . . take care of that situation.”
“Oh. I see.” Cleo was beyond surprised. Why would Magnus trust the rebel with such an important mission, especially after his unexplained disappearance? How desperate and bereft of other options he must be.
“Where’s Nic now?” she asked.
“He’s back in his room, sleeping I assume.”
Cleo felt a sudden thud of disappointment. “If their trip to Paelsia had been successful, they would have woken me immediately to deliver the news.”
“I’m sure Nic will tell you all about their trip in the morning.” Nerissa rose from the bed. “For now, go back to sleep. You’ll need your rest tomorrow.”
It didn’t feel right to her, any of it.
“Why would Magnus make such a monumental decision without consulting me first? Why hide it from me?”
“I don’t know,” Nerissa said, shaking her head. “Do you usually expect him to consult with you?”
“I don’t have any idea what I expect from him anymore,” she muttered. “Thank you for telling me this, Nerissa.”
“Try to sleep, princess.” Nerissa doused the flame in the lantern and turned to go.
“Do you really think I’ll be able to go back to sleep now?”
Nerissa glanced over her shoulder. “Princess?”
“Help me get ready,” Cleo said, pushing off her blankets and climbing out of bed. “We need to get to Black Harbor before dawn.”
• • •
Black Harbor was located at the bottom of the high cliffs, below the castle grounds. A snaking road allowed travel by cart and carriage, but that route would make for a long journey, so Cleo and Nerissa decided instead to take the steps chiseled into the side of the cliff.
The treacherous, icy steps chiseled into the side of the cliff.
Finally, they reached the docks.
“Perhaps this was a foolish idea,” Cleo whispered, her cheeks stinging from the frigid wind.
