Page 50 of The Crownless King
“What’s going on?”
“I’m going to try and convince the king to allow me to shield the Akachi,” she answered, distracted.
Her mind was on the steps she would have to take to actually shield the stone. She had a feeling that her plan would work, but there was always the possibility that it wouldn’t. The border mages had come to the Archive a couple of weeks ago for their yearly sabbatical to the sacred garden. It had given her an idea that would hopefully work for the meteorite piece Levi had.
Sebastian’s steps stalled and he stopped walking, focusing his attention on Amaya. “You’ve spoken to Levi about it?”
She nodded. “The other day. He agreed if I could still give him access to its power.”
“And you think you could to that?”
“I can absolutely shield it and take away its ill effects on the king. The other part is a little trickier, but I’m fairly certain it will work.”
Sebastian studied her before sharing a look with his mate. Amaya knew that he and Raven were probably talking telepathically. She waited them out.
Raven turned her gaze to her. “I’ll come with you.”
Amaya nodded because it wouldn’t make any difference with what she had to do. Instead of the throne room, Sebastian led them to a door down the hallway from it. When the door opened, Amaya realized it was Levi’s office. It was different than his throne room; there was nothing ostentatious about this space. She’d expected it all to be dark and intimidating, but his office was warm. The walls were dark gray, somewhere close to blue, where it felt both cool but welcoming.
Behind his oak desk was a bookshelf that went to the ceiling, but none of the books were in any discernible order. They looked well-read and loved on, the spines varying in thickness and color. There was a section of obvious serious tomes, but the others looked like journals and fiction books. It surprised her. His desk was clean, holding a small lamp, his desktop computer, and a couple of notebooks. There was a plush carpet under the desk that softened the marble floors in theroom. A tv on the wall behind them was on, the low hum of the news running.
Levi watched the three of them as they entered his office. “What’s up?”
Raven and Amaya sat in the chairs in front of his desk. Looking around his office, she was impressed. To the left of her in its own alcove was a softly lit area that held a gold service set covered with glass decanters of various liquors. The dark rich burgundy of the liquids told her that it wasn’t just wines or cognacs.
“Baby doll,” Levi prompted, drawing her attention.
Amaya set the box in her arms down on his desk. “Remember what we talked about the other day?”
He nodded.
“Well, I found a way I think will allow you to access the power of the Akachi and keep your mind shielded.”
Levi leaned back in his chair, his eyes betraying his surprise. Amaya opened the box on his desk, passing the lid to Raven. She moved aside the bag of sand, pulling out a smaller box before standing to hand it over to the king. Levi opened the box and his eyes softened.
“You bought me a pocket watch, baby doll?”
Her cheeks heated under his intense scrutiny.
“It wasn’t that much. I got it from this…” She tapered off her words. “Yes, I did.”
He didn’t need to know where she’d gotten the watch. It was clear for anyone to see that the piece of jewelry wasn’texpensive. She’d had the shopkeeper clean it so that the antique gold shined brightly.
His eyes warmed as he fingered the chain, stopping at the opaque stone she’d attached to it. “What’s the stone for?”
“It’s called a heartstone. Mages use it to carry the power of the Akachi with them. It amplifies their power without the side effects of the meteorite.”
“And you can tune his piece to do the same?” Sebastian asked from his position from behind Levi. Bright interest lit his eyes.
Levi smiled at her and Amaya’s stomach fluttered in pleasure. It pleased her to please him. That was scary, but she was resigned to her fate at this point. No, she couldn’t mate with Levi, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying his company and this push and pull between them. The king stood and turned to his bookshelf. Hidden behind Sebastian, she couldn’t tell what he was doing, but a few moments later, a small snick sounded and the shelf behind him opened.
Raven gasped. “A secret room.”
Both women leaned forward, scrambling from their chairs when Levi motioned for them to join him. Amaya grabbed the bag of sand, anxious to see what Levi hid. They entered the room. Its cool temperature coupled with the magic thrumming in the room sent a small shiver down her spine. Without setting eyes on it, Amaya knew he hid the Akachi somewhere in this room. The cold touch of chaos magic skimmed her skin, calling to her own power.
How had her uncle found this room?
“He didn’t,” Levi told her. Always a ghost in her mind. “The Akachi was once in my throne room.”
