Page 124 of Enchanted Crown
Sure enough, three people were standing under the shade of some trees awaiting our arrival. The spy we had caught in Dra Skor months ago, one woman, and one man.
Zaire dropped Dex off and took to the skies, running a perimeter check low along the trees. The trees slammed in next to one another so thick, I wasn’t certain he would see much. Even the hills were covered in trees. It was a good thing we had palm magic in addition to the shifters for this venture.
“Good afternoon,” John called as Zaccai landed.
The spy stepped forward.
“Lorenzo,” I greeted. “Thank you for responding to my letter.”
“Thank you for trying to help us, despite my hiding among you for so long.”
I smirked. “You had to bring that up, didn’t you?”
“I did,” he laughed.
He gestured with a hand toward the other two. “This is Princess Kessara and General Reyes.”
My eyes darted to the trees around us as I dipped my head in respect. Surely there were more guards waiting. To protect the princess? Where were they?
“It’s just us,” Lorenzo responded. “We do not wish to get hopes high until we know what is possible. Very few people other than us know.”
I gave my head a shake, not sure if I truly believed that. “Apologies, I only assumed you’d bring guards.”
“I can defend myself,” Princess Kessara said coolly.
There was something about her appearance which reminded me of someone. Then again, a strong woman not wanting there to be doubt she could defend herself? Maybe it was her royal countenance which reminded me of Esta. “I meant no disrespect. My wife can also defend herself and rarely needs my help.”
“So the Wylan prince and the queen of Dra Skor wed.” Her lips twitched. “Good of you to admit that though.”
“Not publicly yet, but privately, yes,” I explained. “We are too busy hunting down the queen’s cousin.”
“Ahh, yes. The Mallick traitor,” Kessara agreed. “We thank you for your time. And will keep our eyes peeled for any sign of her.”
She was lovely, dark hair and blue eyes. Whether she could defend herself or not, why was she the royal they put up for sacrifice? “I only assumed based on your royal title, there would be more guards. I meant no insult.”
Reyes moved to step forward as if he was exactly that, butbefore he could finish, Kessara said, “Yes, well I am not immediately in line to take the throne. I am dispensable as far as the royal line goes, but valuable enough that should I be healed, it will send a message to the rest of Agria.”
“Apologies you have to be the lamb, Your Grace,” John offered kindly.
“I can assure you, I am no lamb,” Kessara said, flashing me a smile.
I reached into my jacket pocket. “I have the treaty from Dra Skor. Who do I give it to? To make sure it lands in the hands of the king and queen of Agria?”
“I will take it,” Kessara said. “And personally deliver it for you.”
She didn’t flinch as I approached, but I was sure to stand far enough away that I didn’t intimidate her with my height.
She tucked the scroll of parchment into a bag she had slung over her shoulder. Could I truly trust her to deliver that to the king and queen? I wasn’t certain. It was a good thing Esta had requested more than one copy.
The princess looked at me directly in the eyes, not afraid of eye contact. “Lorenzo obviously does not need to be healed today as he was in Wylan when the poison happened. What do you need from me and Reyes?”
I tried not to wince when she brought up the fact that Agria had spies in Wylan. I didn’t like remembering how my country had been holding spies from the other countries, but we’d also more than deserved it with our actions.
“It may take a water source.” I briefly explained what I had done in Dra Skor, beginning with the sanctuaries. Including that if we were able to heal them, it may exhaust them. “So whatever your Enchantment is closely tied to. Do you have any blackened water sources?”
She gave me a nod. “We have two lakes. The streams at one point were black as well, but eventually cleared out on their own.”
So only the lakes then. Just as we suspected.
