Page 126 of Oath of Rebellion

Lailant's rheumy old eyes peered at her. "The how doesn't matter, child."

Knox cleared his throat, looking at Eirwyn with a frown. "I'm sorry, Eirwyn, I killed him. I stabbed him in the neck with my tail."

She sighed, burying her head in his chest, the pressure on her chest threatening to drown her. "It's–it's alright. I'm upset, and it'll take time for me to come to terms with it. But it's not your fault he was power mad and always wanted more."

She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, drawing strength from Knox even as she was upset with him for killing her brother.

Lailant continued. "The queen is going to have a hard time adjusting. The curse is settling on the castle as we speak."

Knox' arms tightened around her as he stiffened. "What curse? What's going on? Is the queen alright?"

Lailant nodded toward the city. Still more people were fleeing, several running toward the forest.

Eirwyn's throat threatened to close up with worry, and she clung to Knox.

Lailant sighed, resting both hands on her cane. Several of the townsfolk listened while still more moved along the Lone Road.

"The queen has unleashed a magic she doesn't understand and can't control. She's gained in her magic lessons by leaps and bounds since moving to the castle. But in her grief, she's brought down a curse on us all. It's like an explosion. We're seeing the immediate impact, but the destruction will spread."

Knox' voice was hard when he asked, "How far will it extend? Is it just the city? Will it extend to the forest?"

Eirwyn frowned. "What about the rest of the country? What about those still in the capital and along the coast?"

Lailant frowned. "I'm not sure how much her power has grown. Knox, you need to change the protection spells on the forest. You can't brand the entire town that comes in like you did with the Robins."

Knox stiffened and raked a hand over the side of his head. Eirwyn's heart was heavy, and she bit her lip.

"How can you change them?"

He looked at the castle and city. The buildings immediately around the castle were gone, nothing more than black ash. Even the trees and stones were gone. The blackness still crept through the city, buildings falling slowly but with terrible force.

"I read about it with Leopol, but it's all in the books. I'm not sure if I can remember it correctly."

Lailant's eyes brightened. "Leopol, you say? How marvelous. He survived."

Eirwyn frowned and Knox shook his head. "No, he's a ghost. Or he was. He disappeared after we fought the dragon skeleton."

Lailant blinked and cleared her throat. "Ah, the magic of Hartsgrove is such that I cannot see what happened or what will happen. So you'll have to tell me all about it on the way to Vidrland."

Lailant pointed her cane and said, "Change the spells as best you can, and we'll find the books and a solution to stop and reverse the curse. Go on, your majesty."

Knox jerked beside her, his eyes going wide. "King? I'm no king."

Eirwyn put her hand on his chest, feeling the rope burns. Anger at her brother flooded her, and she glared at him. "You're more of a king than my brother ever was. You've organized these people, given them shelter, put out the fire. You're my king, Knox. Now and forever."

His hard gaze softened, and he dipped his head to kiss her. Their lips barely brushed when Lailant began to walk away onto the Lone Road.

"Come along, Eirwyn. We need to extend the wall around the road to protect the people while Knox takes care of the protections around the forest."

Eirwyn softly pet Knox' chest then smiled, uneasiness settling in her chest.

He grinned and shrugged. "You heard the medicine woman. I'll see you in a few minutes?"

Her chest tightened, loathe to see him go. She'd lost her brother and her best friend today, although she wasn't sure if Bella was truly lost or not. She didn't want to see him walk away, especially with her stomach so tight.

The pregnancy hovered in the back of her mind, and she worried that the battle had caused a problem. She only had Lailant to ask, and now wasn't the time.

He cupped her cheek, his eyes serious as he said. "By the gods, we're alright, Eirwyn, and we'll be fine as long as we're together. I'm not going to leave you again, but I do need to protect the forest. I love you, and the thought of leaving you makes me want to scream."

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