Page 46 of Knight's End
Yes, Dove. I’m safe. Just playing chess with Donaloo in our undergarments.
He sent me a silly image to accompany his thoughts. Donaloo’s undergarments were—of course—pink.
Then he offered,If you need a wish—
No. I’m not doing that to you again.
If you need it, though. Don’t hesitate.
I gave him a nod of thanks. I’d make sure I didn’t need it.
I turned to Connor and Blue—who shared another gargoyle—next. “You two follow behind and see what gossip you might pick up. Connor, if you can wander off and steal any documents or information about this sea sprite … or any of our enemies …”
He nodded.
I’ll read thoughts;Blue offered.
I rolled my eyes and teased,Yes, I’d rather hoped you’d volunteer for that, seeing as you’re the only one who can.
Quinn chipped at Blue and Blue accidentally projected Quinn’s words to the group.You sure you’re qualified for that? You’re better at projecting thoughts than reading them.
Immediately, my mind went to the mental image Blue had accidentally projected that morning, when he’d been having his morning constitutional. He apparently needed more leafy greens in his diet.
I cringed. “No! Don’t make us relive that!” I waved my hands at both of them.
Pony wavered a bit as we got caught in an updraft. Never a fan of riding, the sudden change made Declan say, “I think I might puke.” And then he leaned over to the side and did—effectively cutting off one of the most uncomfortable thoughts I’d ever accidentally experienced.
* * *
When we flew down below the clouds, my jaw dropped. I had visited Sedara as a child, but my memories were mostly of the carriage flown by a team of pegasi and the candy that had been at our welcoming ball.
I didn’t have much memory of the capital, but the layouts were burned into my brain after last night’s discussions.
Lotis city was inland, but Sedara was known for its ships and so a century ago, they’d hired a wizard to create canals. Over gleaming sidewalks and gracefully arching marble bridges, the city appeared to be floating, even though the buildings were firmly set on land. The entire city was made of crystal towers that jutted up into the sky. Depending on the district, the crystals were colored light yellow, orange, or pink. It gave Lotis the impression of existing in a permanent sunset.
The towers would've been indistinguishable from a dying sky were it not for the winking reflections on the corners of the walls. Constructed by Elven magic, even the humblest homes looks like castle towers. We were descending upon a city of jewels. The site was so impressive, so awe-inspiring; it left little doubt in my mind as to how Sedara was able to maintain its place as first among the seven kingdoms.
While I was caught up in the beauty of Sedara’s capital, Declan eventually recovered enough to peer down behind me.
"Where the canal boats?” he asked. “The trading ships?”
I looked down and realized that he was right. I’d been so caught up in looking at the wall and the buildings, that I hadn't noticed that the walkways and the canals were vacant. The water was rapidly draining out of them.
“They don’t want to give the sea witch any inroad,” Connor said. “They’re going to remove all water.”
Fury smoked inside me. She scratched her claws and flexed her wings, begging me to unleash her like a dragon. She spent all this time on a wall. On draining her canals. Not a single thought spared for the country across the sea who’d taken on the risk of raising the sea witch’s child. Not a single thought for my country, where people were dying by the minute.
Ryan was right.
She deserved to have the war brought to her. She deserved to see what it was like to have to choose between letting a province burn or letting the crown fall entirely.
Sard her.
Connor and Blue hovered in front of me, their gazes solemn as they measured my reaction. My fingers clenched the reins hard to force myself not to yank back on them and send Pony pelting through the sky like an arrow, aimed right at Queen Diamoni.
Connor twisted on their shared gargoyle to look at me. He knew just by glancing at my face what was going on. He may have lost his ability to read emotions, but he had not lost his ability to read me. "The Queen will say that her treaty was with your mother, that her alliance was with your mother and that their agreement died with your mother."
“I know.” My voice was edged with violence. “Let’s make this quick. I don’t know how long I can hold myself back.”
