Page 76 of Degradation

“Though it pains me to say this—and I mean that quite literally—we should stop here,” Darian said.

Their collective disappointment and regret made me laugh. “Dinner guests will arrive soon, and I’m not the only person who needs to dress.”

The pair kissed my cheeks then left the room.

I held out my hand to Garron, who helped me stand.

“Thank you,” I said.

“There will come a day when you will not need to worry about losing yourself in loving us. I promise.”

I kissed his cheek and lifted my arms so he could slip the clean shift over my head. Garron’s skills paralleled those of any practiced handmaiden and brought a happy smile to my lips as he brushed through my long hair.

“The best I can manage is a braid. Would you like me to summon someone?”

I shook my head and, keeping my lid firmly in place, attempted to connect with the energy in my well. No resistance existed, and I realized that I’d been unconsciously connecting with the energy within me every time I had opened my senses.

Energy had no form. Intent formed it. My intent had broken Maeve’s spell. My own misunderstanding had prevented me from breaking it without Brandle’s aid.

Foolish girl,I thought, echoing Pogwid’s voice.

With little effort, I used the wind to twist my hair into thin braids and a fashionable coif.

“Could you sense me?” I asked.

“No, but I’m not the queen,” Garron said. “This home isn’t protected like ours had been. And don’t even think about attempting to protect this place. It’s too large.”

“You doubt I’ll be able to do so without being detected or that I lack the power to do so?” I asked without censure.

“Both, actually. We’ve run from her enough, Snow. I don’t want to run again.”

“Then we won’t,” I said. “We’ll find the help we need and stand and face her. I vow it.”

He kissed my brow and escorted me to the sitting room where Eadric waited with Liam and Philip. All three wore coats cut from a rich cloth with stitching so fine I couldn’t see it.

I smiled at them when Eadric gave a low whistle. He crossed the space between us and strolled around me.

“Do I pass your inspection?” I asked.

“Most assuredly,” he said, bringing my hand to his lips.

The first guest arrived shortly after the others joined us in the sitting room. As we’d agreed, Philip introduced me as his relative. Instead of a niece, I was a distant one from the country. He kept it vague, and no one asked for more information.

Most exuded eagerness and welcome. Maeve had taught me not to trust what people showed on the outside. So, each time I touched someone in greeting, I connected with my well and touched their minds. I searched for fear or anger, trying my best to maintain their privacy while also ensuring our safety.

Many feared the queen and what would happen to Adele if her reign continued for much longer. They feared losing their lives attempting to free themselves but also feared losing them if they did nothing. The impending doom, regardless of their chosen path, created a volatility that worked in our favor.

“May I have your attention,” I called. The room quieted, and I lifted my glass. “To Pogwid. May she forever be known for the extraordinary gifts she possessed and the light she brought into this world rather than the sacrifice she made to leave it. Death to the Foul Queen.”

A subtle ripple of shock ran through the room before a nobleman lifted his glass high.

“To Pogwid. And Death to the Foul Queen.”

The room echoed with similar sentiments, and they drank their watered wine.

“Thank you for answering our call in the wake of Pogwid’s capture,” Liam said. “We can no longer wait to move forward with our plans. The queen understands that Pogwid could not have remained hidden within the castle’s shadow for so long without aid. She will seek out and imprison every person involved. And where one noble can hide a powerful caster, she will look to the others suspecting the same.”

“What do you need of us?” one of the noblemen asked.

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