Page 5 of Degradation

“And our amulets?” Brandle asked. The question held no accusation, only curiosity.

“I’m not certain,” I said. “To protect Eadric, I instinctively reacted to Edmund’s action.”

Darian hit the back of Daemon’s head, which earned him a scowl from several of his brothers.

“I thought we wanted her to try again to determine the cause,” he said with a shrug.

“At times, you act no better than urchins,” I said. “Perhaps, rather than focusing on my erratic control, we should now move forward with our plans to travel to Turre.”

Each one of them glanced at Brandle.

“Fear the moment I do figure out how to cast directly on your persons as I will be the one doing the cuffing. You are a frustrating lot. Did we not have an agreement? I help you break the spell holding you—which I have—and you help me gain the resources we need to free my sister.”

“We haven’t forgotten,” Brandle said. “However, the cave-in will cause another delay as we need to finish the mining before we can leave for Turre. Also, once we reach Turre, it will take time to acquire what we need as we will need to work quietly and in secrecy to avoid the Foul Queen’s attention.”

Though I understood why we could not immediately rush to free my sister, I struggled to understand why the mines needed to be addressed before leaving for Turre, and my frustration climbed.

Brandle closed the distance between us and took my hands in his.

“We need the gems in the mines,” he said.

“With them, we could purchase the silence of all of Adele,” Edmund added.

“Henry made us promise never to go to Adele empty-handed,” Eadric said.

I sighed in defeat and tugged my hands from Brandle’s.

“As you will it.”

When I would have walked away, Garron caught my sleeve.

“I think you can help us,” he said. “Especially now.”

“Garron,” Brandle said with warning.

“Anything that will get us to Turre faster,” I said quickly.

“Princess gets to go to the mines with us?” Darian asked with barely contained excitement.

“Do you not remember what happened the last time we were in there?” Edmund asked.

“It will be fine,” Darian said. “Magic caused the last one.”

I snorted. “And you do not know what damage it’s caused to your tunnels.” I glanced at Brandle. “How Henry kept you all alive is beyond my understanding.”

Humor lit Brandle’s gaze. “Some days proved more difficult than others. Considering your abilities, we would fare better with you than without, but once you’re rested.”

“I’m rested,” I said firmly. “Liam, fetch me your clothes. Eadric, feed me my breakfast. It’s time I see these mysterious mines of yours.”

No one contradicted me, but I could feel their reservations. They were worried I would doubt their intentions once I saw whatever was in the mine.

Cuddled and petted on Daemon’s lap, I wondered what could cause them almost as much fear as finding a dried-out body in the woods.

CHAPTERTWO

My impatience boiled justbeneath the surface as we waited outside the mines for Garron to search for any fissures that might make it too dangerous to enter. Eadric plucked at my fingers, drawing my attention from the cave opening.

“Can you feel them, too?” he asked.

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