Page 80 of The Warlock's Trial

Kiara wore an apologetic expression. “We want to help you, but not at the cost of our own monarchy. You must understand—my mate and I have agreed to help you, but you must swear that the king and queen can’t know about this, nor can any others who aren’t inside this room. Emma and Ethan know that my mate and I are helping witches who may be stuck inside Malovia, but they do not know who or why, and I believe it’s better that way. We are unable to lie to them, so keeping quiet is the only way.”

“Why can’t you lie to them?” Nadine asked. “I mean, you shouldn’t lie to your king and queen, but why can’t they know anyway?”

“Our goddess set us on a very important quest, to find items of great power,” Alexei explained. “Kiara and I once swore a powerful magical oath not to keep secrets from our friends, so we are unable to lie to them about anything pertaining to this quest. But aiding you has nothing to do with finding these items, and the king and queen can’t be distracted with trying to help witches when the country is on the line.”

“What about the Crock? They’re going to ask questions when it shows up in the royal treasury,” Chloe said sarcastically.

“We will tell them that a witch who stole the Crock from her priestesses gave it to us in exchange for directions through Malovia. It is the truth, after all. Once the revolution has come to an end, we will explain everything to them. Otherwise, this secret will die with us,” Kiara insisted.

“There’s a merchant trade route that goes through here,” Siona said, running her finger along the map. “We can take my wagon and hide the witches in the back. You have disguised your scent, but taking this many people out of the city at once when the revolution is in full swing will raise suspicion. The problem will be getting past the checkpoint here. Most fae aren’t allowed out of the city, for their own protection.”

Alexei pressed his lips together. “I’m certain I can persuade the officers on duty, but we should wait until nightfall. We’ll have a better chance of getting out of the city when most fae are sleeping.”

“In the meantime, you should all rest, as you have a long journey ahead of you,” Siona suggested.

I was grateful for the suggestion, because we’d had a long night. Siona was kind enough to provide us with a meal after we cleaned up in the bathroom. She fed us breaded pork cutlets and some sort of potato dumplings called pierogi, which were absolutely delicious. I really didn’t like the fae, but I had to admit, they had some damn good food.

Once our bellies were full, Siona led us to another small room, where it was obvious Verla and Warren had been staying. Two twin beds covered in warm blankets stood on opposite sides of the room. Siona cast an illusion, and several more beds appeared. I reached for the closest mattress and was shocked to find it was solid. I thought for sure my hand would go straight through it.

“The illusions will remain solid until you wake,” Siona explained. “Now get some shut eye. You’re going to need it.”

Nadine and I snuggled up in one of the beds, and Isa and Oliver curled at our feet. It felt like we were out in moments. We must’ve all been really tired, because we didn’t wake until after sunset. Just as Siona said, the beds disappeared before my eyes once we climbed out of them.

Siona fed us another meal, then led us downstairs and through a door at the back of her shop, which was empty now. We entered a private stable, and I stopped in my tracks when I spotted a white alicorn with a golden horn. Nadine came to a halt beside me, unable to take her eyes off the magnificent creature. His horn glowed a sunny yellow hue, and his white mane sparkled.

“Is something wrong?” Siona asked.

I shook my head. “It’s just… I’ve seen magical creatures in Hok’evale, but I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.”

“This is not just any alicorn, but an alicorn shifter,” Siona said as she stroked the alicorn’s nose. “He is a dear Unseelie friend, but you will understand if I do not give you his name.”

I couldn’t say I understood why the fae were so particular about names, but I respected that it was a big deal to them. To them, names were power, so it made sense why she didn’t want to share his name.

“Into the back—all of you.” Siona ushered us into the back of a large horse-drawn cart, while Alexei and Kiara readied the reins. We had to lay down, and it was a tight fit. Siona draped a large canvas tarp over us and our cats to conceal us, then hopped onto the seat in front beside her sister.

Soon, the wagon began moving beneath us. We rode through the streets of Dolinska, to the opposite side of the city than we’d entered. It seemed to take longer than it had to walk to Enchanting Whispers. Dolinska was huge, and crossing it was no easy matter.

“We’re almost to the edge of the city,” Alexei whispered. “It’s just past Arcanea University.”

I’d never seen the fae college, and I was too tempted to pass up the opportunity. I lifted my head to peek past the corner of the tarp. Arcanea University was absolutely massive. Behind a golden gate resided a massive stone palace, with an elaborate garden, tall towers, and intimidating statues of shifters and sorceresses. It was the most expensive and grand building that I'd ever seen, and it made Miriam College appear small.

Voices came from up ahead, and the carriage slowed. “State your business and uncover your merchandise for inspection,” an officer ordered as we came upon the exit point of the city. Footsteps approached us, coming far too close for my liking. I held my breath, and Nadine stilled beside me.

Alexei hopped down from the front of the carriage and spoke in a strong tone. “That won’t be necessary. This shipment contains important military supplies for our troops stationed around the city and has been ordered by the king.”

“All shipments are subject to inspection,” the officer argued. The tarp rustled as he reached out for it, but Alexei jumped in front of him.

“Do you really think you know the king’s wishes better than I do?” Alexei sneered. “I am a general of the king’s royal guard.”

He must’ve flashed one of his military badges, because the officer quickly stepped away from the wagon, “No, sir. You may pass.”

I let out my breath, and the carriage began moving beneath us again. After a few minutes, the terrain turned bumpy, as if Siona had led us off the normal path. Darkness enveloped us from all angles, until we finally came to a halt. The fae hopped off the carriage, then yanked the tarp off from us.

We all sat up, breathing a collective sigh of relief. The air under that tarp had been hot, and I was starting to feel claustrophobic. I jumped over the side of the carriage, then helped Nadine down. Our cats hopped out of the wagon and followed at our feet. Verla cast a witch light and tossed it into the air to illuminate the forest ahead.

We stood at the edge of a steep hole in the ground, and a dark forest surrounded us at all angles. I could hear the sound of a stream nearby, but otherwise the forest seemed dark and foreboding. We couldn’t see far into the cave entrance, and it seemed like the darkness lasted forever. The pit appeared to swallow light completely, as if it were a black hole waiting to suck us inside, too. All I could make out under Verla’s witch light was the piles of boulders and rocks surrounding the hole opening, which was big enough for a small dragon to fit through.

It certainly looked like an entrance to the Abyss—or at the very least, a monster’s lair. It wasn’t the kind of place you wanted to explore. Just looking into its depths gave me the chills.

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