Page 109 of Degradation

Another ripple of shock and confusion swept through the crowd as I stepped aside and looked at Brandle.

“King Afton, almost two decades ago, a great evil slipped into Turre. The caster, Spyra Grimmoire, killed my parents, cursed my brothers and me, and took the throne. If not for your quick thinking to close the trade route between our two kingdoms, that evil might have spread.

“We’ve come for two reasons—three, actually. The first is to reunite Kellen with her sister, Eloise. The second is to personally tell you that the Foul Queen’s reign has ended, all thanks to Kellen. Her determination to do whatever was necessary to return to her family led her down paths she never thought she would walk.”

He took my hand, and I felt his love along with each of his brothers.

“And the third?” the King asked.

“We wish to reestablish our trade with Drisdall. Our kingdoms have been separated for too long. Though we have different views regarding casting, I believe we have more in common, such as our wish for prosperity and peace for our people.”

The king stood, and his gaze drifted to the other six brothers before he descended the stairs. Greydon, the man Eloise had addressed, followed him and took my sister’s hand.

“I still remember the gifts we sent for your birth, King Brandle,” the king said. “For you and each of your brothers, truthfully. Your parents were fair rulers. I am sorry for your loss and that I could do no more for you than close the trade route. At the time, our kingdom also suffered an attack. Another Grimmoire—I believe a sister to the one who attacked your kingdom.”

“Maeve and Spyra were stolen from their true families by a caster obsessed with power and raised as her own,” I said. “They shared no blood relation, only the last name of the caster who twisted them to her purpose.”

“She told you this?” the king asked, showing a hint of surprise.

I knew speaking of what I could do would not win me any favor, but Rose’s words not to hide rang in my ears. I glanced back to look at the woman, but she wasn’t there. Searching, I found the void of nothingness near the doors and needed to touch my well to see her. She once again looked like an old crone.

“Miss Cartwright,” the king said, recalling my attention.

“Princess Kellen,” Darian corrected.

I felt the king’s annoyance as I reached into my bag, pulled out the edict my mother had kept in the attic, and handed it over to him. His eyes went wide as he read it.

“The road between Turre and Drisdall is wide enough for three wagons abreast and well-protected from the beasts who still linger in the forest,” Liam said, stepping forward. “We have wool, cloth, grain from the north, and lumber in surplus. Our people are starved for vegetables and fruits we can’t grow and for news of families who lived on this side of the forest.”

The king shifted from the paper to me to Liam.

“You must be Prince Liam,” he said.

“King Liam,” Brandle corrected.

“You did not take the crown?” the king asked. I could feel that he’d already grasped the situation. However, he wanted us to clarify it here, in his court, for all of his subjects.

“What is it you fear?” I asked.

Surprise rippled through him and suspicion. A laugh escaped me as I understood.

“King Afton, you have no need to fear for your kingdom. Turre will need all seven of its Kings’ full attention to repair what the Foul Queen broke during her reign. And by collectively marrying me—” gasps rang out, and several women fainted “—there won’t be the passels of heirs hungry for our neighboring kingdom.

“We are only here for the reasons I stated.” I looked at the older woman who’d been standing off to the side. “You are welcome to connect to my well and see for yourself if I am a person with ill intent.”

The king glanced at the woman and nodded.

“That’s Elspeth. The women from the letters,” Eloise said quietly enough for her voice not to reach the nobles straining to hear. “She and Mother helped save the kingdom. That’s why we have that letter.”

I smiled at Elspeth.

“The books you left behind helped me understand what we faced. Thank you,” I said.

She nodded to me and held out her hand.

“Hold onto who you are, Elspeth. I’ve been told my well is deep enough to lose oneself.”

I felt her worry as I took her hand and let her in. While she searched me, I searched her and saw what history she allowed. When she withdrew, she was pale and shaky.

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