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The young lord’s eyes popped in surprise. Not waiting for a response, Norivun pushed past him, getting a startled cry from Michas, before the crown prince shut the door behind us.
Michas glowered when all of us crowded in his chambers. “I wondered when I’d see you next.” He waved his hand toward the destruction in his room—an overturned table, a cracked wall, a broken bed frame. “I’m assuming I have you to thank for this?”
The prince locked the door. The ring of the bolt filled the silence since none of us had deigned the young lord with a reply.
Michas’s nostrils flared. “What in the realm is going on? My father was here not too long ago, telling me to stay safely locked within my chambers until he could learn more of what the king knows. Are you aware that the king is asking about her and all of you?” The young lord shot an accusing finger at me.
Norivun growled. “I’m sure he is, but he knows Ilara must be returned home if he wants to avoid the gods’ wrath and keep his castle standing.”
“So that’s the reason for the destruction.” Michas crossed his arms and arched an eyebrow.
“This conversation would be better held under a silencing Shield.” I swirled my hand through the air, encasing all of us within a protective dome. “Go ahead,” I said to my mate. “Nobody can hear us.”
Norivun extracted the looking glassfrom his pocket and angled it to Michas. “This is why we’re here. Your father was right. This is who he overheard speaking with the king last season. It’s a warlock from theotherrealm, and his magic is the reason behind the dying crops.”
Norivun activated the looking glass, and the scene began to play out. Michas’s eyes bulged, then his jaw dropped. I shivered when the image came to the battle. It was deadly and brutal, and even though it was only a recording of what happened a week ago, a river of ice skated down my spine.
Crossing my arms, I looked away and tapped my foot as we waited for Michas to see it in its entirety.
When it finished, I raised my eyebrows. “Do you think this is enough proof to convince the council of the king’s involvement? If your father testifies to what he heard last season, and we show them this, do you think it’ll be enough to vote the king off the throne?”
Michas’s jaw worked, and he rubbed the side of his face. “Let me watch it again.” Norivun replayed it, but when it came to the end the second time around, Michas shook his head. “It’s certainly enough to convince my father that his suspicions were right, as well as Lady Wormiful since she’s my father’s ally, but I’m concerned that the other councilors won’t accept it as enough proof.”
“Even with your father’s testimony accompanying it?” I pushed. “Surely the two together mean something.”
Michas smiled ruefully. “Of course, they do, and Iwould like to say that my father would testify against the king, but unless there was a guarantee that King Novakin would be removed from power, I highly doubt my father would risk it.”
I scowled, and magic rumbled in my gut. “You’re saying Lord Crimsonale won’t testify to the council about what he overheard?”
Nish grumbled as Ryder hissed under his breath.
“What a coward,” Sandus muttered.
Michas narrowed his eyes at all of them. “My father makes his decisions based upon risk and reward. You can’t fault him for that.”
I stepped closer to the young lord as more magic roiled in my gut. Keeping my tone as calm as I could manage, I said, “Now is the time to act and take a stand. Surely, your father knows that.”
Michas’s chin lifted. He studied me, his gaze skimming over my features, before his expression hardened. “My father knows the time is coming, but I can also guarantee that he’s not willing to risk his neck. Not yet. If he did testify against the king with that looking-glass recording, there’s a good chance at least one of the councilors won’t side with us. And then what? My father will be exposed.”
Norivun’s power rumbled. Placing his hands on his hips, he said, “So you’re saying that unless we find absolute proof that the king is behind the dyingorem, your father will continue his two-faced dance and won’t act.”
Michas’s nostrils flared. “You can’t blame him for protecting himself.”
“Mother Below!” Norivun cursed under his breath and tore a hand through his hair.
All four of his guards grumbled or scowled, yet none of this was surprising—as I was sure they all felt too—considering what kind of fairy Lord Crimsonale was. Despite all that was happening and all that was at stake, he was still more interested in his personal agenda versus saving our fae.
Norivun’s lip curled, and he concealed the looking glass within his pocket. “Fine, if that’s how it’s to be, then we’ll get solid proof. Proof that will requireeveryoneto act and won’t rely on a testimony from your father.” My mate leveled me with his crystalline blue eyes. “Ilara?”
I gave a firm nod, and with a swirl of my magic, the six of us disappeared in a flash of mist and shadows, air and wind.
I mistphasedus to another area in the castle, and when we reappeared, Norivun’s spine jolted upright. “Why are we at my mother’s tower and not in Mervalee?”
“I know we need to get back to my home, but if Michas and Lord Crimsonale want absolute proof, then it’s likely they’re not the only ones who will be skeptical of the king’s true nature. We need one more thing.”
“What?” Norivun asked, a curious light entering his eyes.
“You’ll see.” I didn’t explain further as we all began to climb the stairs of the queen’s tower.
