Page 94 of Fated

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat at the implication of my importance to Agidius. Ash must have sensed my unease because his hand found my knee, offering silent assurance.

Madam Pearl’s sharp gaze caught the gesture, but she continued unfazed.

“We know Areya can cure someone affected by the curse, but not on a massive scale, certainly not without help. No one even knew of her existence, so she shouldn’t have been a threat—certainly not one big enough to make Agidius pause his plans for world domination for sixteen years.”

The silence was heavy before Ash finally asked, “What if Areya wasn’t a threat to those under the curse but to Agidius himself?”

Madam Pearl squinted at him, considering his words. “You’re implying she is a threat to the actual heir power?”

Ash nodded slowly. “Besides Agidius, Areya is the only heir to the Astern power line. If she were to kill him, the power would transfer to her.”

The gravity of his statement hit me like a punch to the gut, my body stiffening.

Madam Pearl didn’t look convinced though. “You are saying that a young, untrained healer possesses the power to take out the heir to not one, but two kingdoms?

Ash sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Honestly, Pearl, I can’t answer that. I just know there is something we are missing, and it all revolves around Areya.”

Madam Pearl tapped her pen against the table again, deep in thought.

“It still begs the question of why Agidius didn’t takeyourpower. Why risk leading you to find the one person who could break your curse? If he had your power, along with Ellington’s and his own, he’d be unstoppable. Evenyourblood wards wouldn’t hold up against that much power. He would waltz right into Titan and pluck the final heir power right out of King Aldo.”

“There’s more at play,” Ash added, his tone darkening. “We can’t forget who’s really behind all this. Cynthia set this plan in motion long before Agidius was even born. Why would she want her son to hold so much power?”

Madam Pearl leaned back slightly, her expression thoughtful. “It seems we have more questions than answers. So, what is your next move, King?”

It was strange to hear Madam Pearl address Ash by his royal title, and it made the gravity of the situation even more real.

“I need to get Areya to Ambrosia. My people can work with her on developing a widespread cure, and she will be safe there.”

“And you?” Madam Pearl asked, her eyes narrowing as if already knowing the answer.

Ash hesitated, his jaw tightening before glancing at me for a moment. “After I get Areya to Ambrosia, I’m going back into Astern to find the answers we need.”

“NO!” The word burst from me before I could stop it, panic flooding my veins. The mere thought of Ash falling back into the clutches of that monster sent a shudder of fear through me.

Ash looked at me, conflicted, his expression softening. “Areya—“ he murmured.

Madam Pearl cut in, her voice firm. “Sebastian is the only one who stands a chance of walking into that kingdom and coming back alive. You must understand that.”

But I didn’t care. I couldn’t lose Ash. “Ash, please,” I pleaded.

Madam Pearl spoke again. “Don’t underestimate Sebastian’s power, dear. He is the most powerful king Gardonia has ever known.”

But I didn’t acknowledge her, my focus solely on Ash.

“I have to go, Areya,” he said, his voice strained. “You’ll never be safe as long as Agidius exists. I need to find his weaknesses, and to find out why he fears you.”

Tears blurred my vision, spilling down my cheeks.

“Take me with you,” I demanded weakly.

“Sebastian needs to be at full attention,” Madam Pearl interjected again. “If Agidius holds the power of two kingdoms, then even Sebastian’s abilities might not be enough to face him.”

Ash’s eyes locked on to mine, filled with an unbearable mixture of determination and sorrow. “I can’t lose you, Ash,” I whimpered, hardly able to get the words out.

He grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly, his thumb brushing my skin soothingly.

“There is something else,” Ash said.

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