Page 100 of Cursed Crowns

“See?” said Wren.

“It still doesn’t prove anything.”

“When I came to Amarach a few days ago, I caught Kai trying to sneak into your room,” said Wren. “I knew there was something off about him then, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. The hunger in his eyes, his voice... it reminded me of how Banba used to look whenever she talked about Anadawn.” She stepped back. “If you’re determined not to see it for yourself, then let’s go to his bedchamber right now. I’ll use a truth enchantment on him.”

Shen stared at her.

“What?” she challenged. “Are you afraid of what you’ll find out?”

“No,” he said, a beat too slow.

Wren glanced at the sapphires. Five minutes gone already. “Then take me to his room.”

“He went to find my uncle,” said Shen. “We lost him in the fray. He’ll be with Feng.”

“The other traitor. Even better.” Wren clapped Shen on the back. “Lead the way, Your Majesty.”

With some reluctance, Shen turned on his heel and led Wren deeper into the gilded palace, until they came upon another hallway, echoing with the sound of distant voices. Wren lifted a finger to her lips, then reached for the petals in her pocket. With two quick enchantments, shespelled their footsteps, turning them silent on the stone.

With another, she silenced the hinges in Feng’s door and eased it open, just a crack. Enough to see the outline of two men standing across from each other.

“... been quicker! That moment of hesitation nearly gave the entire game away,” said an older scratchy voice that Wren assumed belonged to Shen’s uncle.

“You should have sent the beasts after Rose,” came Kai’s voice. “At least then she wouldn’t have got in my way.”

“How was I supposed to know the wolf would be there?” fumed Feng. “I did my part. Exactly as we discussed.”

Wren and Shen locked eyes in the hallway, his jaw so tight, it looked like it might shatter. Here he was, finally hearing the truth for himself, but instead of feeling triumphant, Wren’s heart ached for her best friend.

Kai bit off a curse. “We won’t get another chance like that again.”

“Not until we get rid of the queen,” said Feng. “So long as he keeps the company of a healer, we won’t be able to finish him off.”

“Have you lost your mind?” hissed Kai. “We can’t murder the queen of Eana! Our kingdom lies in her desert!”

“Then get her out of the kingdom,” said Feng evenly. “Let the sands take care of her. Or, better yet, do it yourself and make it look like an accident.”

Wren removed another fistful of petals, her blood singing with fresh anger. Her mind reeled, searching for a spell that would maim these heartless traitors, but Shen moved like the wind, pulling her away from the door and back down the hallway.

Wren tried to squirm free, but he slammed a hand over her mouth.“Be silent,” he whispered. “Kai is a seasoned warrior. And Feng is one of the most powerful enchanters I’ve ever seen. If they catch us, they’ll strike.”

Wren didn’t speak again until they returned to the east wing. There were only three sapphires aglow now.

Shen slumped against the wall, scrunching his eyes shut, like he was trying to blink away everything he had just witnessed. “I’ve been such a fool.”

“I’m sorry,” said Wren, resting a hand on his shoulder. “I know what you were hoping.”

Shen looked at his boots, a blush warming his cheeks. “I called her a liar, Wren.”

“I know.”

“And jealous.”

“She told me.”

“And spoiled.”

Wren hesitated. “Well, she is a bit spoiled.”

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