Page 40 of Water Dragon
“We tell them of our discoveries and our theory, but quietly. No aides are to be made aware of what we’ve concluded lest anyone let something slip to another servant. Rumor will spread like wildfire, especially after what happened with Sir Patrick,” Malcolm instructed. “Let’s keep this as close to our chests as we can until we have a proper plan of action in place. The perpetrators can be anyone at all, but Lady Shannon is at least a place to start. Perhaps pulling on her thread will unspool the rest.”
“I will pluck a few waterlilies and use them to search for a counterspell. I will need a lock of your hair, my prince,” Maize instructed, holding one hand out. He did as she asked, grabbing the knife Ewan held out to him, cutting a lock to give to the queen. “If a waterlily was used as a marker, then my search for a counter spell will reveal it,” she clarified, Malcolm giving her an appreciative nod.
“May I come with you?” Ewan asked Queen Maize. “I should like to see how it’s done.”
She smiled in encouragement.
Iona watched them head off, turning to Malcolm, knowing he was eager to seek his father’s council but stopping him, saying, “Lady Shannon has always been close with Sir Patrick.”
“Yes,” Malcolm agreed, making the word sound like a question.
“Who has Prince Ewan apparently spent most of his time with since arriving?”
Malcolm shook his head. “Don’t suggest it,” he said. “Firstly, it would be too on the nose, wouldn’t you think? They’ve only just met.”
“Or have they?”
“Iona, you are seeing enemies where an hour ago you would have seen only friends, and it’s turning your head, making everyone seem a threat. I understand the impulse, but, please, spare me the heartache of having to suspect one of those who might still suffer what I’m suffering. He is the last of us to face his trial. Unless we put an end to this, he will have to face the wrath of these people too.”
“We will,” she cut in. “We must. But we cannot afford to turn a blind eye.”
“Ewan is not power-hungry,” Malcolm said firmly.
“How long since you saw him last?”
“A handful of years. Not very long,” Malcolm replied. Iona raised her eyebrows, saying nothing more, but getting them moving back to the terrace. Her silence spoke volumes. Many things might change in less than a decade, no matter how little time it was to them.
Many things can change overnight, she thought.
“I will not suspect a crowned head of bringing such pain and suffering on their kinsmen,” Malcolm said firmly.
She could not argue with him, but she was resolved to keep an eye on every single person that was not she or Malcolm.
It was the only way to keep him safe.
Chapter 11 - Malcolm
“Father,” Malcolm said, entering the king’s chambers.
King Morton turned his head where he was being dressed by quick hands, three personal maid’s all working to get the task done as swiftly as possible.
“Leave us,” the king said, the maids making themselves scarce without a moment’s hesitation. When the door closed behind them, the king faced Malcolm and Iona with a concerned expression on his face. “What is it?” he asked.
“Forgive us barging in,” Malcolm said. “We’ve found something out, and we wanted to bring it to you immediately.”
“Yes, yes, what is it?” the king repeated.
Malcolm explained in as few words as he could exactly what they suspected Lady Shannon of, as well as the request they had put before Maize and her acceptance of it.
“Good,” the king nodded. “She’s a clever one. And a powerful one at that. If anyone will be able to help, it’s her. I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you woke,” the king added. “I thought it better to stay out of your way,” he added with a wink at Iona that made her blush from her neck to the roots of her hair.
Malcolm suppressed the smile, his hand holding hers as though it was already second nature.
“You thought right,” Malcolm stated boldly.
The king narrowed his eyes, smile turning gleeful. “Then I’m happy for you both,” he said.
Malcolm got the sense that the king had known for a while that something like this might happen, and suddenly he wondered if his father had set the trial in the manner he had in order to encourage his son to open himself up to the truth. Hadn’t knowing that he could choose any woman as his mate done just that?
