AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Graceson sighed. “The monsters areinthe tattoos. Under his skin.”
“Exactly!” King Windre’s hands lifted off of Randsin as he pointed his fingers up to the sky.
Randsin’s shoulders relaxed and he blinked his eyes open. I could feel them scan me as he looked around the room, taking in our reactions. Ryker leaned over the table watching him, both carefully and angrily.
“The monsters that chased me and Graceson in the Twinity Court. Were those..? Did he take those out of your…? Did they live in your skin?”
She glanced toward Graceson. Both his hands were fisted in his lap, his lips pressed together knowingly. Even his wings tucked in tighter behind him at the memory.
Randsin’s eyes, like two puddles of brown that absorbed all the light, drained to solid white, sliding over the table and up to me as he spoke. “When Hattie and I returned to the Heathern Court, I was taken almost immediately to a cell. King Ganglin took multiple things from me.” His hand trailed silently over to a few pieces of skin that appeared untouched by the ink, never taking his eyes off of me. “But he didn’t take what matters most.” He touched the swirling ink by his collar bone, an image of a leaf curling into itself.
“It’s there?” Ryker gasped.
Hattie reached out, squeezing her hand.
The former Heathern Court guard nodded.
“Our guest from Tierasia would like to argue that we destroy the token,” King Windre said quietly.
“Just give it to me and I’ll make sure no one can use its power.” Milo’s voice was weak, his face shiny with perspiration.
“I’m inclined to agree.” Graceson pointed a finger at Randsin. “I’d also go as far to say that perhaps we rid the world of all the evil scribbled all over him.”
“I also agree,” Jerydin said stiffly toward the table.
“No!” Ryker and Hattie exclaimed together.
“The mother gave us, our family, half of that token for a reason. It’s powerful because it's designed to save us from the wrath of your gods.” Hattie spat the words out like bitter candy. “It’s our family responsibility to protect it.”
“And where is it now?” Graceson looked at her blankly.
The room went quiet. Ryker winced, turning her face away.
“King Ganglin has it. I didn’t know what he had; I wouldn’t have let him take it if I did,” she mumbled.
“I tried to get it back,” Hattie whispered to her sister.
“But we have half of it now and we have good reason to believe that King Ganglin is on his way here, if he’s not already watching the castle. I’m honestly surprised he isn’t here yet,” King Windre pointed out, moving back to his seat.
“So, you want my help to protect the castle?” I finally said. “And in getting back the token?”
“Oh, no, no, no.” He laughed. “Those are just problems you should be aware of. I need your help with shaping the future of Stylica.”
“What all does that entail?”
“Well, King Ganglin is somewhat removed from his position, so as long as we keep it that way, we can place someone new on that throne, or divide the land as we please. Either way, we can ensure it’s a ruler who keeps the Nymphs free and isn’t a corrupt asshat.” King Windre paused. “Really, King Ganglin is so full of himself, I could hardly stand it.” He took a deep breath, looking over all of our heads before pointing back to me. “Then we have you on your throne, and I think it’s safe to say your court will remain slave-free, but we have one court left with this pressing issue that needs to be resolved.”
“The Obtune Court.” I lifted my chin. “Ottack loves his slaves.”
Red swallowed loudly. Was that where this Nymph came from then?
“Precisely. Our Tierasian guest has a bit of a comradery with his daughter. We struck a deal.”
“Maglehmore?” Bile rose up at the thought. On the list of potential brides my mother made, she had sat at the top.
“Yes, she was supposed to remove her father from the crown and agree to free the Nymphs. In return, she has our support.”
“You mean, kill her father?” Ryker interjected.
