Page 72 of Enchanted Crown
It was a slow death, like periodically being stabbed every place which would always bleed but never kill. This pain was evidently my torch to carry until we found Morana and finished this.
I didn’t feel Esta’s regret down the bond, and that was the only thing keeping me from losing it entirely. Most times I spoke down the bond to her, all I felt from her was fear. Maybe I just needed to use it so much she stopped being afraid of it. Of the power of it all.
We were unstoppable together. Not only because of our dual Enchantments but because we were us. I was damn proud of us and didn’t understand how she wasn’t.
When I got out, I found Amory had arrived. She’d personally delivered our breakfast, apparently.
“Morning,” she offered lightly.
“Good morning,” I told her.
“We have a war room meeting soon,” she reminded us. “I just wanted to get a game plan with Esta before we went in there. Fortunately, I knew where to find her.”
Esta said, “Finding Morana and organizing the patrols to do it are the number one priority,” She moved to grab a plate, bringing me one in the process.
“And Keir, the Wylan Enchanted, and the healings?” Amory asked.
Esta looked to me. “Are you concerned that you would be attacked?”
I’d welcome it.
She snorted as she spun from me. “Honorable as that may be, I am not sure I trust all of your men to be as capable of handling her as you would be.”
Is that a compliment?
“You know it is.” She sat directly across from me. Eyes on mine.
I still do not see a reason to worry. They are never alone. Shifters always accompany my men anyway. We want her to show her face. And if my men and the healings help that along, then so be it.
“You truly think they can handle it?”
Owen trained them. I wouldn’t have brought them here otherwise.
“That is your call, Keir. They are your men. But I don’t want you to make that decision right away. Should something happen to one of them, I know you’d carry that loss as your responsibility. And we are not dealing with a rational enemy here.” She stopped to inhale. “So please do not decide today.”
I turned to look at Amory and apologize to her for leaving her in the dark for our entire side conversation, only to find her mouth open as she looked from me to Esta and back again. Amory did not get emotional often, but this was one of those rare occurrences it seemed. “The bond,” she choked out.
“Yes.” I moved to stand. “The bond that allows us to speak telepathically. Me being the only person Esta can speak to telepathically no matter her form. The same one that she refuses to use.”
“I haven’t seen anyone speak telepathically in their human form since...” Amory’s brow furrowed as her eyes flew to Esta. Esta was quiet a moment, taking a drink of her tea. Finally, she asked, “Nana?” A pause and then. “And that’s why?”
Esta gave her a quick nod.
“Amory,” I began out loud. “For today we will continue with the healings. I am going along with the men today anyway. I need—” I let out a sigh. “I just need to. So, I will be there today after the war room meeting. From there we will decide what to do for future healings.”
“He is not happy I’m not using the bond to speak back,” Esta filled her in.
I wanted to be mad, but Amory and Esta were not only queen and advisor, but they were also best friends.
Amory’s eyes went to mine and back to Esta. “Do you really blame him?”
Esta moved a hand to rub across her brow. “No.” She let out a shaky breath and I felt down the bond how at war with herself she was. “Nor do I want to do to him what occurred to Nana.”
“I—” Amory shrugged. “Let’s just find Morana then, shall we?”
I snorted. As if it would be that easy. “Yes. Let’s.”
I was sitting therelike a good prince. Crown upon my head, tea in front of me, while I let the Dra Skor generals and advisors determine what should be done to find Morana. Patrols were decided upon.
