Page 89 of Degradation

“Brandle’s not gone,” Darian said. “The queen wouldn’t be quiet if he was.”

“He’s right,” Garron said. "She knows who he is and will use that to help herself gain control.”

“If you want to help him, sleep, Lamb. Please.”

I nodded, and they released me. Eadric led me to the bed and held me close until I succumbed to the need to sleep.

It helped.

When I opened my eyes to the light of a new day, the pain in my head was gone, and I once more felt my usual self.

“Is your head better?” Liam, my pillow, asked.

“It is. Where are the others?”

He brushed the hair back from my face.

“There is news. They’ve left to verify it.”

“What news?” Even as I asked, I knew—news of Brandle and Edmund.

“Another public hanging,” Liam said. “Two of the kingdom’s princes. All the nobles are required to attend at midday.”

My mask slipped into place, saving me from the crashing waves of despair that wanted to overwhelm me. Touching my well, I reached for them. The connections came easily. All of them, including Brandle. His anger matched Edmund’s. They knew what she had planned but didn’t fear for themselves. They feared for me.

“It’s a trap then,” I said softly. “Not for the other princes, though. For me.”

“How do you know?”

“I can feel Edmund and Brandle. Brandle isn’t worried for himself or Edmund or any of his brothers. He’s strongly afraid for me.”

“How can he remember you? The spell to forget you if he were taken should have erased all memory of you.”

I thought back to how it felt when I’d connected with Edmund.

“I don’t think it could. I think the spell I cast in the clearing ensured I could never leave you. Not even the memory of me.”

“Then it makes sense you’re his greatest concern. We promised to protect you. If they are there for breeding and not giving in to her demands because of the love that broke the curse, she will want to remove you.” Liam nodded thoughtfully. “And the quickest way to flush out the game is to bait the trap.”

“The queen got to where she is by being clever. However, I’ve survived this long by being the same. Come. There’s much to do before midday and little time to do it.”

He rose with me and watched me put on my simple spun dress.

“Have Philip tell his staff I will need the kitchen. Garron should join me when he returns.”

I swept out of the room and found Margret waiting in the hallway.

“Come with me to the study,” I said. “I have a list of supplies I need you to find.”

A short while later, she left with my list and Adogen’s name, the only caster I knew who Margret could visit without drawing suspicion.

When I went to the dining room, Philip was sitting at the table with Liam. He immediately rose and bowed to me.

“The staff has been told you require the kitchen. They are setting it to rights now. Would you care for something to eat before you set to work?”

I liked that he didn’t ask what I would be casting.

“Thank you,” I said, taking a seat and accepting the pastry that Liam passed to me.

---