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Would she ever find them again?
We will, came Valorre’s voice, and her heart trilled at the comfort it brought.If you can feel them, we can find them.
She wasn’t sure if shecouldfeel them, but she knew it was folly to worry about that now. Not when she had so much work ahead of her. Her kingdom wouldn’t be secure until after the peace pact was signed. As for the tower room…that could take weeks longer. Months.
Darker thoughts lingered at the edges of her consciousness, questions she still had no answers to. Would she ever get the chance to take leave of the castle? Could she ever return to being the witch she longed to be? Was her role as princess shifting into a commitment as future queen?
You’ve been sad, Valorre said.
I have, she admitted.
But furious too.
Yes. She moved to the window, giving herself a better view of the castle’s sprawling property and the towering walls that surrounded it. She felt how near Valorre was, could sense him on the other side of the wall, just out of sight.
You could sneak out again.
Her lips curled into a small smile. The offer was tempting, but she knew she couldn’t risk it during the day. Night was the safest option, but lately she’d been so tired after her work in the tower, she hadn’t even considered it.
Soon, she said and was about to apologize for neglecting him. Then she recalled his speech about treating him like a pet, and she decided to hold her mental tongue. Not that he wasn’t likely reading her thoughts right now. She could sense the strength of their mind link, could feel his care and concern. And perhaps a note of confusion. He’d checked in on her enough the last couple of days to understand what she was upset about, but as a unicorn, he couldn’t grasp the complexities of royal politics.
Valorre’s energy turned distracted.Oh, I know her!
Cora frowned, leaning closer to the windowsill. She caught no sight of the unicorn or whoever had caught his attention.What? Know who?
The answer dove straight toward her, making her bite back a gasp. With her attention on the ground, she hadn’t seen the falcon until it landed on the sill before her.
Cora hopped a step back, barking a yelp of surprise before she could stop herself.
“Highness,” her guard called from the other side of the threshold.
“I’m fine,” she assured him. She wasn’t sure if he could see the window from his post, but at least he knew better than to enter the room. “It’s just a bird.”
Lowering her voice, she shuffled closer to the falcon. “What are you doing, Berol?”
The falcon’s wings were splayed, head bowed. Her posture, along with the long string of chirps she uttered made her seem anxious. Upset. Then Cora noted the scroll of parchment in one talon. The falcon hopped closer, disturbing the line of salt on the sill.
Cora frowned, eying the paper. “Is that…for me?” A spark of hope flitted in her chest. Perhaps Teryn had sent her a sweet letter and, instead of disturbing her with his presence, he’d sent Berol. She extended her hand toward the falcon. Berol uncurled her talon and dropped the scroll onto her inked palm.
Cora quickly unrolled the paper and found it was a short letter. Her eyes dipped to the bottom to find the sender’s name. It was from Teryn’s brother, King Larylis.
Teryn,
I hope this note finds you well. Berol delivered me something that looked like a scrap of your shirt, and it worried me. Please send her back with a reply letting me know if you’re all right.
—Larylis
Cora cocked her head to the side. “Why didn’t you deliver this to Teryn?”
Berol, of course, gave her no answer. Even when she tried to connect with the falcon’s mind, it gave her nothing like the connection she could form with Valorre. Instead, all she felt was unease, agitation.
“Highness,” came her guard’s voice again, edged with a note of urgency. Berol took off from the sill, sending a gust of salt and rosemary in her wake.
Cora tucked the note in her apron pocket and turned toward the door. “Yes?”
A pause. Then, “Something has happened, Princess. Master Arther is here to escort you to speak with the king’s council at once.”
* * *
