Page 66 of Degradation

“What do we do next?” Eadric asked, looking between me and Liam.

I opened myself to the energy of the people in and around Adele. Near the edge of the forest, Garron had almost joined his brothers, and the guards near our home still waited patiently for our return.

Previously, I’d never looked at the castle, fearing attracting the queen’s attention, and I hesitated to do so this time, especially after what transpired earlier. I closed myself off again and looked at Liam and Eadric.

“Garron is close to reaching Darian and Daemon. They likely won’t return until dark,” I said.

“If Brandle and Edmund are in the castle, there is little we can do for them except carry on with our plan,” Liam said.

The search for casters, though, likely would take more time than either brother had.

Frustration threatened to overwhelm me, and I felt the tingle that forewarned an impending loss of control. I turned to Eadric, who stood beside me and, uncaring of our audience, pulled him down for a kiss.

His hunger met mine willingly, and his desire blanketed me, soothing away the frustration and helping me remember something more than fear for Brandle and Edmund. I wasn’t alone. And the men of the glade would never forsake one another no matter the difficulties.

Eadric eased back with a gentle kiss and searched my gaze.

“Speak what you need, and it is yours,” he said softly.

“You already gave it. I was dangerously close to allowing my frustration to rule me. It wasn’t Mr. Ascott who betrayed Brandle’s presence but a maid desperate for her child. I do not fault her, but the damn Foul Queen. It’s the queen who has turned neighbor against neighbor. The queen who forced the casters into hiding. And the queen who is taking the kingdom’s strong men. She is a blight that must be removed.”

Liam’s arms circled me from behind, calming the agitation that had grown.

“I think it would be wise to throw a dinner party,” he said. “With you in attendance, perhaps they would be persuaded to move sooner against the queen.”

“Or, at the very least, be willing to introduce our Sparrow to their casters.”

“They have casters?” I asked.

“Most of the noble family do, Princess,” Philip said, reminding me of his presence. “We openly employ the weaker ones and keep the stronger ones in secret. The noble families protect and support them, and the casters protect and support us.”

I leaned back into Liam’s arms to contain my burst of irritation.

“We’ve been here four days. How many noble families has Brandle met with? Why has only Pogwid come forward?”

Philip lowered his gaze and bowed slightly.

“Forgive me. I have been making discreet inquiries to meet with the other families, fearing I might draw the queen's attention.”

Before I could assure Philip I did not hold him responsible, Liam spoke.

“Our time for moving cautiously is at an end. Arrange a dinner for tonight for the nobles we’ve already met. Beginning tomorrow, we will host small luncheons and dinners to introduce your recently returned niece—” he ran his hands over my arms “—from the countryside. We won’t stop until each noble family has been contacted.”

“Some families are loyal to the queen,” Philip said nervously.

“I don’t think they are truly loyal,” Eadric said. “She isn't the type of person to foster close relationships or loyalty. Most likely, she controls them in some way.”

I thought of how Maeve had controlled Eloise and me and agreed with Eadric.

“But we will heed your counsel, Philip,” Liam said. “Though we cannot postpone meeting them all, I vow not to speak of anything significant until we’re certain of their true intent.”

“How can you be certain of their intent?” Philip asked.

“Theycannot,” I said, stepping out from between the brothers. “However, I can.”

I could feel Philip’s concern. It stemmed from doubt. He didn’t doubt I was a caster; he doubted my experience dealing with his peers who might be more adept at hiding their intentions. He also feared I was no match for the queen and that the heirs to the throne would lose their only chance to reclaim their birthright because I wasn’t strong enough.

His concerns were quite valid, so I didn’t attempt to persuade him out of any of them. I simply waited for his decision. After a moment, he bowed his head.

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