Page 87 of Degradation

“If you let her in, keep a tight hold on what’s yours, or she’ll take it all, and we’ll be the ones who have to work to undo it.”

“Let her in?” one woman asked. “Why?”

“Her control is shite,” Getaina said bluntly. “That and I think she’s the powerful caster that the queen needs to achieve her dream. If she finds Kellen before Kellen can learn to protect herself, we’ll have lost before we’ve begun.”

“I don’t believe you,” a woman said.

A second later, I felt her attempt to connect with my energy. Rather than brushing her away, Ipulledher in. She sank into my well. I waited for that moment of panic that Pogwid had experienced then connected with her.

“Hold onto yourself,” I heard Getaina say as the woman’s memories flooded me.

She came from a wealthy family and had connections to the royal bloodline. She hated the queen who sat on the throne yet secretly wished she’d been smart enough and powerful enough to take it for herself in her youth. Or, at least, that she’d found a way to endear herself to the prince at the time. Then she could have been Queen.

We would have been Queen.

I would have been?—

A palm landed on my cheek with a resonating crack. At the same time, arms wrapped around me from behind.

Their love, fear, and determination not to lose me calmed me before I could lash out at them.

“Free her, Kellen,” Getaina said.

“Not yet,” I rasped. “Please, Ulva…willingly give me your knowledge. Please.”

Held up between her peers, tears ran down the woman’s slack face. Yet, I felt her agreement a moment before information flooded me.

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

Her subtle retreat signaled an end,and I withdrew my energy. She sagged further between her peers and groaned. The pain in my head was merely a kernel of grain in a sack filled with them. She possessed the sack.

With barely a thought, I gathered the moisture in the air, created the necessary herbs from nothing, and heated it. A cup appeared next to hold it all. I clasped it in my hand, took a sip, then brought it to the woman’s lips.

“Drink. It will ease the pain.”

I could feel she wanted to but watched some of it dribble from the corners of her mouth in her attempt.

“Pogwid had a similar reaction when she attempted to connect with my well. She said she could feel herself falling into it but pulled back. I suggest no one else attempt to take more than what I offer, just as I promise not to take more than what you offer.”

The others nodded. I could feel the fear behind their agreement, though.

“I am not the queen. You have a choice. I did not force Ulva to dive into my well. She did that on her own. I haven’t swayed Getaina to lure you here, and I have no desire to consume all that you are. Nor am I interested in stealing the throne from the princes. If I had a choice, I wouldn’t be here at all.”

Shock rippled through the pair that had been thinking those thoughts.

“Pogwid said I’m a danger because I have no control. Getaina believes I have the control but lack the knowledge to protect myself. Yes, I can do things that Garron and Pogwid have said other casters can’t do. But I don’t understand how; they just happen.

“My request—and it is only a request—is that you share what you know. Knowledge is power. With it, I can protect not only myself but the people of Turre as well. And no, that does not mean I am interested in overthrowing the queen to take her place in subjugating others. I am very willing to leave the kingdom once it’s freed. Now, will you help me?”

“No,” one of the quiet women said firmly. She turned on her heel and started for the door.

“May I ask why?” I called after her.

I gained the answer despite her silence. Despite my words, she still thought I was after the queen’s casting stones stolen from all the casters she’s taken over the years, even her daughter’s. The door closed behind her.

“Those who have no wish to help me may leave,” I said. “I have other casters to visit yet this night.”

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