Page 98 of Enchanted Crown
“You could have told the rest of us?” Amory snapped. “Could have warned the others?”
She let out a long sigh. “We have much to discuss and I canunderstand your frustration, but no. It was the only way. We received many visions before the poisoning, as we do for most things. Multiple scenarios and possibilities for any given situation. There was only one path any of us saw,one wayaround Theon Valanova’s evil.” A pause. “The rise of his sons, the brother kings.”
We were urgedto take the horses and leave with the queen to head to our lodging for the night. She informed us the castle was a few hours ride away. But we were welcome at the castle, the meal already being prepared for our arrival.
She seemed to already know we wouldn’t be staying long. She seemed to already know a lot of things.
As the captain and Dex were discussing what to do with the ship for the night, Queen Aurelia said to me quietly, “Do not let the ship leave the docks.” Seeing what had to be my suspicion all over my face she added, “The storm coming in will delay your departure tomorrow. Lots of snow and wind. The ship will be safest here.”
This teenager as a child had saved her people. I supposed I should listen to her. Even if it was a bit odd.
“I do not wish to face the wrath of the dragon queen,” she added, again her voice soft and unthreatening. “I promise you will be safe here.”
I quickly relayed that message to Dex and the captain, demanding the ship stay at the dock but stay vigilant.
As we mounted the horses given to us, the queen added, “Whichever of you shifts into a white tiger may travel as that, if you’d like.”
Amory gave me a look as if wondering if she should. I knew her senses were more attuned to her surroundings in her tigress form, so I gave her a nod.
She gave her fur a shake once in her tigress form as if glad to be back in her shifted form.
“Splendid!” the queen commented happily.
While we clomped our way toward the castle of Corsha, I took the opportunity to check in with Esta.
Sweetheart?
My moon.
As it turns out, the people of Corsha were never poisoned.
What?
I’m not sure how to explain it. They can receive visons, but also apparently project them.
Silence a moment before she responded,Dammit, we were the only ones supposed to be keeping the tricks of our Enchantment to ourselves.
I snorted a laugh.Apparently not. We are headed to the castle now. There is a storm blowing in which may delay how quickly we can leave tomorrow.
I could feel her groan.Fine. Just stay safe. Let me know if anything is amiss once you arrive at the castle.
I will. How is the hunt for Morana going?
We found nothing. Yet again. Malachi did have an idea though. He wants us to announce our Engagement and visit one of the cities for a public outing. We will say we are going to Arava and then really go to Rael.
I haven’t been to Rael.I knew it was the city which produced the most food, the farmlands of Rael which were located mostly in the western half of Dra Skor.
You have been a bit busy,she quipped.What with saving us all. Don’t worry. You will see it all.
I mulled over Malachi’s idea for a bit.That isn’t an awful idea.
It will take a lot of shifters to accomplish. We will have to watch one city while secretly ensuring our safety at the other. And trust enoughshifters who we don’t believe are working with Morana so our plan doesn’t backfire.
“May I be blunt?” John asked the queen as we rode behind her toward the castle, snapping me out of my conversation with Esta.
“Of course,” the queen responded. “Corsha values honesty.”
“Does Corsha always accept such young royals?”
