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With those ominous words, she was gone.
Chapter Sixteen
Zoei
She had impeded death by a few hours.
I mulled Olympia’s strategic maneuver as the hovercraft swooped low, circling the landing pad behind the north wing of Highblade Palace.
Part of me continued to cling to the certainty that the earth enchanters were responsible for the attempt on my life, but a small sliver of my soul stood at attention, wonderingwhat if…
What if there was another threat lurking within my walls, waiting for my attention to be turned before pouncing, leaving my kingdom bereft without a ruler? Who would rule in my stead? Pyke? Netto?Mama?
Oh, Olympia was smart indeed. She had created doubt, suspicion, and fear where there had been none before. She’d planted fertile seeds—a niggling bit of hesitancy that was keeping her alive.
Clearly, she was not as weak and powerless as I’d thought she was. She was a double threat—a strategic thinker with a strong mind. Every instinct told me not to underestimate her.
Highblade Palace stood out in stark relief against the setting sun, warm orange-gold light filtering through the nooks and crannies of the towering centuries-old brick structure.
Three familiar figures stood in stony silence as I disembarked. Mama, flanked by two of her loyal guards, awaited my approach.
Not now, not now, not now,I prayed, adjusting the sword belt around my waist for a brisk walk back to the communal study. As soon as I acquired the guest list, I would be back at Clair Castle.
For several brief moments, Mama seemed cast in stone. Her features gave nothing away. A brief wind flared the satin skirt around her legs.
Fingers threaded with gold rings clenched tightly at her waist.
“Leave us.”
Her guards were well-trained, as were mine. They split apart—one flanking us several steps ahead, and the other trailing behind.
Mama’s fingers clenched and released anxiously, fragile bones standing out prominently against her skin, etched by time. I matched Mama’s pace as she strode along the stone pathway back to the north wing.
“I hear terrible things from Ronan.”
Her voice was placid, as though we were due to discuss the weather.
“Such as?”
I grimaced, hearing the impatience in my voice. Gone were the days where I’d look forward to her sweet words and softly sung lullabies at the end of the day. Now, her well-modulated speech and precisely pronounced words were obstacles that slowed me down when I had other matters to attend to.
My obvious irascibility didn’t waylay Mama. She placed a palm on my forearm, stalling me.
“Was there an attempt on your life this morning? Is that why we’ve been banned from the north wing?”
The wind had tugged a curl free from the braided bun at the top of her dark crown, and she brushed it away from her brow with the back of her hand. It was a simple movement—casual to the naked eye. But the grace with which she moved and the proud tilt of her chin belied generations of gentle breeding.
“I don’t wish to worry you, Mama.”
I fought a sudden surge of frustration. Was this conversation truly necessary when I had a guest list to acquire and a prisoner to question?
“Answer the question, Zoei.”
I nodded once, attempting to soothe her pain by placing a palm over hers.
“I have detained the key suspect,” I assured her as her cheeks creased with telltale signs of distress.
“And who would that be?” she queried, her lips pressing into a thin line.
