Page 103 of Essence of the Throne

“Love makes people do stupid fucking things.” I ignore how Caspian’s eyes snap to me at the wordlove. “Though if you ever try something like that again, I won’t hesitate to slit your throat.”

A knock at my door saves Gavriel from responding. Elowen enters without waiting for permission—poor decision making on her part—Jessenia close behind her. They both freeze at the sight of Oranya.

“Is that…” Jessenia starts, and I look over her form. She’s foregone the dress from before in favor of tight-fitted pants and a burgundy jacket. The woman would be attractive in anything, it seems. She could wear one of the hideous royal uniforms, and I'd still find a way to appreciate her appearance.

“A griffin? Yes.” I smirk as Oranya preens under their attention, not offering any other explanation. “What news do you have?”

Elowen tears her eyes from the little creature, her wavy hair jostled by the movement. “We found some of the children.” Her voice hardens. “They were in cells beneath the eastern wing of the castle. Most were unconscious, though alive, thankfully.”

“How many?” Caspian asks, his hands clenching into fists as he steps forward.

“Seventeen,” Jessenia answers, refusing to look him in the eye, instead finding mine. Her loyalty for my previous threat would be sweeter if it weren’t happening while the realms fall apart. “Wetook them to the guild.” She glances at Elowen before swiping a tongue across her lips and continuing. “Marek was furious. It was quite frightening actually. But he said he’ll personally ensure each child returns to their family.”

“Good.” I nod, pleased that the children will be cared for. Marek is a different issue I do not wish to think about. “What else?”

“The cells were…” Elowen pauses as her voice cracks, swallowing hard. Seeing that must have been rather difficult for her, considering her proclivity to heal anyone she can. “There were marks on the walls. Tallies. Some had been there for months.”

My stomach sours. That fucking bastard of a king.

“We’ll need to search the entire castle,” Caspian mutters to Gavriel, who nods his head in quick succession. “There could be more we haven’t found yet.”

“Already started,” Jessenia replies, looking between me and the griffin. She moves closer to examine Oranya, but Elowen steps between them.

“We shouldn’t crowd the griffin,” Elowen states, her tone leaving no room for argument. “They’re dangerous creatures.”

Jessenia’s eyes narrow. “I think I can handle myself.”

“Like you handled yourself in the tunnels?” The healer's voice drips with sarcasm. “If I hadn’t been there, Jess, I swear to the Angel—”

“I had everything under control!”

“You nearlywalked into a trap!”

“Ladies,” I interrupt, fighting a smile. The tension between them is obvious, though I'm not so sure they realize that. “Perhaps we should focus on more pressing matters?”

They both flush and step away from each other. Oranya clicks again.

“What do we do now?” Jessenia asks as her hands wring together.

I exchange a heavy look with Caspian. “The prince and I need to leave Valoria.” The ambiguity in my words is intentional. “There are things we must find.”

“When do we leave?” Jessenia asks, not caring to question why. Strange woman.

“We?” I raise an eyebrow. “This isn’t a group expedition.”

“You can’t go alone,” Elowen protests, her arms crossing. “You’ll need a healer.”

“I can heal myself.”

“And what about Caspian?”

I glance at him, remembering how it felt to connect our essence. “I can heal him, too.”

Her eyes widen. “But—”

“No,” I cut her off. “The fewer people involved, the better. Besides, someone needs to stay and help search for more children, among other things.” I look pointedly between her and Jessenia. “Perhaps you two could work together on that?” Elowen’s eyes narrow in my direction as if she sees right through my words, and I have to bite back another smile.

“Fine,” she concedes. “But you’ll send word if you need anything?”

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