Page 38 of Knowing Trust

I felt a thrill of worry race through me, and people immediately voiced their objections.

King Fergus nodded and held up his hands. “I agree, I agree. Calm yourselves. The intentions were truly of a good heart but didn’t consider how the humans have advanced to tell when rocks come from anywhere other than Earth. They thought it was enough to be explained as something in a lab, but the risk isn’t worth it.”

“No, especially when they could test for minerals and elements that we couldn’t reproduce separately,” Neldor confirmed. “But we thank them for their input and taking the time to offer suggestions. Truly. Two hundred years ago that would have been a wonderful suggestion.”

King Fergus nodded. “And the dragon is older than that and not a geologist. Thank you for understanding.” He waited until everyone settled. “However, reviewing the proposal, there might be a way to save the idea. My mate suggested there might be a way to take something from this planet that can be found in mass quantity and change it with magic.

“The suggestion was pearls. There are a variety and range. Or there are now bioluminescent jewelry products. If there is some type of magic that could be applied to change the color not normally found or texture even to the oddly shaped ones, they could become all the new rage. I thought that something to consider and put it at the top of the proposals.”

“Thank you. Truly. I will review them with Neldor the first chance we can and discuss them with the correct parties whether we think them something we can put into practice or not,” I told him. I went to say more but pain shot through my body. I blinked out at the meeting, my mind going completely blank.

It happened again, and it almost felt like when Faerie had fried my nerves to keep me from moving and releasing my reservoir so long ago. I felt that level of pain, but it was quick and a flash.

“Your Highness?” someone worried, but then I realized it was several people.

“Calarel,” I gasped as it happened again.

And then everything went black.

11

I woke to fighting and chaos. My magic sent a pulse before I could even open my mouth or eyes. I sighed when people instantly went quiet. “Thank you. What happened?”

“You’re fine,” Lageos said firmly. “The same thing happened to your mother.”

That didn’t answer the question though, so I wasn’t surprised when several people jumped all over him.

“Stop,” I ordered. “Just stop. Not everyone is going to be involved with my personal and private medical information. Enough. As long as someone knows what happened, enough.”

“Your healer doesn’t though, Your Highness,” someone objected.

“Because you fuckers won’t leave and let her be examined!” Neldor roared. “And you have the audacity to—”

“Nel,” I whispered, glad when he immediately shut it. “Take note of the problems and we can spank them later. I’m awake and coherent. Now disperse and let my healer do her job before you piss me off.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” several grumbled.

I listened to Neldor and Julian practically lose their minds demanding why Lageos allowed the circus and crazy. I swallowed a sigh. “Because it was informative, right?”

“Very,” Hudson grumbled. “Something needs to be done about naming a medical proxy or something if you are ever unconscious again, Tams. Several nobles were almost panicked about the idea of Neldor being involved in your medical anything. They were light fairies and their intentions were pure. Truly. They were scared for you.”

Neldor shot him a less than friendly look, but Hudson simply shrugged.

“We should know that,” I cut in before anything else happened. “I’m annoyed that my dad was here and they still got in the way of my healer. That cannot be allowed.”

“I allowed it to see what happened and to shut this down in the future,” Lageos explained. “But we need to clear everyone now so Calarel and I can speak to you privately.” He let out a small growl when several people objected. “I would say Julian but—”

“I agree,” Julian whispered. “We’re only engaged. Tams will tell me if she’s ready.”

“I’ve never not told any of you before,” I reminded several of them, not sure what this could possibly be but always agreeing with my dad and the calls he made about my health. I glanced around and realized we were in the sitting room of the castle and shot my dad a shocked look. “You didn’t even remove me from Faerie when I was unconscious?”

“No, I knew what this was,” he said, staring down the others.

That worked and the rest of them left.

He smiled at me as he came and knelt in front of me as I sat up. It was a sad smile though and I recognized it. He was going to tell me something that he wouldn’t be here for. It was the smile he gave me when he was going to talk about my future.

The future he wouldn’t be a part of.

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