Page 14 of Taken By the Shadow Prince

But it doesn’t.

All it takes is one person standing, saying that they will fight. And the rest follow. Until every person in the town is standing, and people are asking questions about if the kids should stay with someone here or if they will be safe in the castle, if they should pack their own weapons or if there will be some waiting for them.

It takes everything in me not to grin as I answer these questions. Because, finally, we have people who will fight for us. Forthemselves.

It’s about damned time.

Chapter 9

Mavey

a summoning

The witches leave the next morning with their belongings.

The children go with them under the promise that they will remain safe and surrounded by guards. And if it looks like the castle is about to be sacked, guards will lead them to the safety of Vorella, where all remaining survivors will be taken after the battle. It’s the safest place, as it’s the sanctuary with the most protection and the most supplies.

My team is preparing to leave.

I’ve already told them I will not be going with them. Now that I’m sure wecanget witches to join us, and that I am not particularly useful in that situation, I have no problem leaving them to continue their journey through the country on their own.

I’ve got other things to do.

More important things to do. I’ve already told Kal he’s in charge now, and that Kelsa ought to be his second, considering the power she holds over these people.

Benji comes to talk to me after he’s ready to leave. He says, “Are you sure you should do this? Didn’t Queen Mair assign you to this job?”

I don’t look at him as I speak. “They have assigned me to two jobs at once. I’m merely prioritizing.”Prioritizing. Just as she told me to do. And if that means there’s one less person out recruiting witches, then so be it.

“I see. And you couldn’t use a partner in this little assignment of yours?”

I flick my eyes to him, but don’t answer.

He says, “Come on, Mavey! Don’t leave me alone with Kal.”

“There are a dozen other men. You’re far from alone.”

“You know what I mean.”

My lips thin, but I nod. “I do. But this is my assignment and mine alone, Benji. Your presence will do nothing but slow me down.”

I almost apologize at the bluntness of my words, but he just snorts and shakes his head. “Alright, fine. Feed me to the wolves, I don’t mind.”

“You’ve got plenty of friends over there.”

Benji shakes his head. “They’re not my friends. They just like that I make building fires a hell of a lot easier.”

I almost cave. I almost tell him that if he’d like, he can stay.

But no one can know what I’m doing. Especially not a boy that I’ve only just begun to talk to, a boy who has only been working in the castle for two months—a little less than that, even.

So instead, I say, “If you’d like, you can come find me in the palace when we’re both back. I can introduce you to Queen Mair, even.” A line in the sand, but as well... a bridge, should he wish to cross it.

Benji smiles. “I would like that very much. Perhaps I’ll even introduce you to my boyfriend. He works in the kitchens.”

“I’m not good with people,” I say, shaking my head.

He laughs. “Yes, I noticed. But don’t worry, he’s deaf. Your silence and his will be perfectly matched to all of my talking.”

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