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My father’s words hit me like a title wave.
“The day my father returned, he made it seem as if my grandmother already knew his plans as soon as he reached a decision,” I say, more so trying to work it out in my head.
“You said she has magic, but do you know anything about it?” Callum asks.
I shake my head.
I didn’t want to push my father to tell me more than he was willing, and with him being injured, it didn’t seem fitting.
“Okay, so we have no idea how the queen dowager’s magic works, but there have been rumors throughout Windemere for centuries.”
All the guys nod their heads.How am I the last to know these things?
“What kind of rumors? If we can figure out what she’s doing, then maybe we can put a stop to it. Maybe we even have a chance of getting through this without bloodshed.” The look on their faces doesn’t make me hopeful. Quite the opposite in fact, giving me a sense of dread looming over us. I try to push that feeling to the side and concentrate on the facts.
“We know she wants Ramiro on the throne to be able to control IronHaven the way she did when King Ryvis ruled the land.”
“Blood magic, little bird. Sacred and powerful to those who wield it. If that is what Lady Mortianna is using, then we don’tstand a fighting chance. We know nothing about it,” Tristan says, looking to the others like he wants someone to correct him.
They don’t.
My pacing picks up as my brain starts to think of a plan.
“We need someone who understands her power and the source of it. If we figure that out, we may be able to break the hold she has on my brother. But first, I want to see my father.” I spin on my heels, making my way to the door. As I’m about to open it, Dominic slams his palm against it, blocking my exit.
My forehead scrunches, lifting my brows at him. “Get out of my way, Dominic. I am going to see my father,” I demand.
“We will take you to see him, but before you go running off into God knows what, can we at least make a plan? Or do you intend on being so careless about everything? That’s not what IronHaven needs, and you know it. Your father knew it. We all know it.” His words slice me like a knife to the chest.
“I only trust the four of us to protect you, little bird. Your brother has the entire royal guard at his disposal now,” Tristan frets.
“The royal guard is just as loyal to me as they are to Rami,” I spout, hoping my words ring true.
“We’d like to believe that, but we don’t know anything for sure, Princess. Just think before you run off into the unknown. We need to be smart, and I can’t worry about you running into danger every moment before we have a plan,” Dominic says.
Closing my eyes, I bow my head in frustration. “I have no intentions of marrying the tyrant king or dying any time soon. So what’s the plan?”
“I’ll go search for Lord Osbirth. We need that declaration and your father’s bannermen to stand any chance in this fight,” Callum says.
We all nod.
“I’ll go with you,” Greyson states.
“I’ll take the princess to see her father’s body. Dom, you need to do recon. Find out what the people are saying, what the guards are saying, and if we have any allies here at Windemere,” Tristan instructs.
“We’ll split the guard shifts between us until Cal and Grey return,” Dom adds.
Greyson slaps a hand across Tristan’s chest, grimacing. “No more slumber parties in the princess’s bed,” he growls.
“For heaven’s sake, Greyson. No one did anything inappropriate,” I huff, burying my face in my hands.
With everything that’s going on, we haven’t had time to discuss what happened that night. But there’s been undeniable tension between the two of them since that day.
“I’ll take your word, Princess.” He’s speaking to me but staring directly at Tristan, who just shrugs like it’s nothing.
“It will be nightfall soon. We should get our things so we can leave at once,” Callum says.
I fly to Callum, wrapping my arms around him. He stands stiff for a second then his body curls into mine.
