Page 93 of The Queens and the Kings
“What’s happening?”
“Arcane,” Henrik said. “It has to be a binding of some sort, doesn’t it?”
Einar muttered, “A curse. He’s not doing it to himself.”
“What sort of curse is this?”
“A curse that prevents him from speaking about amaybeenemy,” Henrik said. “The Wyvern Kings, I would presume. I don’t know. The arcane is new for us.”
“Maybemeans there’s someone or something else,” Einar muttered.
They’d uncovered something. Enough for Britt to research, and for them to question the very fabric that the world rested on. Rosenvatten juddered as it slowed. The sails drooped. Their course halted, far enough from the bay they couldn’t see land.
Britt put a hand on his shoulder.
“He’s still breathing. Heart is strong. He’s so hot, like a fever. He’s just . . .”
“Bound,” Einar muttered.
“A curse?” she asked. “Is it related to the Wyvern Kings, Pedr? Or someone else?”
Yes,he thought, falling into darkness.Follow that, Britt. Follow it.
He felt Britt leave his side. Her words faded with every hollow thud of his heart. “Help me carry him to his bed. I’ll keep an eye on him.”
All went to black. To dreams. To laughter and jokes. To broad curls and soft touches. To memories.
To Mila.
I’m sorry,he whispered.I cannot break this curse.
Oblivion claimed him.
Chapter Twenty Six
HENRIK
The curses’hold on Pedr slackened through the night. Britt kept vigil, nodding to sleep around midnight. Henrik lay her in a hammock before she pitched to the floor. Einar kept an eye on the waters while Henrik lay by Britt. Out in the sea, no other ships bothered them.
By morning light, Pedr stood at the wheel, alone. His grip was loose, his stance hunched. Einar slept on the deck, his breaths shallow and thready. Seeing Henrik, Pedr produced a folded sheet of paper from a pocket, extending it between two pinched fingers.
“For you.”
Henrik frowned.
“Me?”
He nodded to an unknown drake, who preened on the stand. No sign of Drake yet.
“Arrived an hour ago.”
Henrik,
Thank you for your time and attention with my military leaders. As luck would have it, Selma is prepared to meet with you today.
Come at your convenience. She is staying with me in my personal quarters.
Alma
