Page 79 of The King's Weapon

"Of course, Essie," the guard Airos said with a wide smile.

Across the table, Terin whispered to Fynn, "Essie?"

Fynn shrugged and the remnants of bewildered amusement lingered in his expression.

After Airos bowed to the queen and left the room, Fynn asked with a sly smile on his face, "Nice walk, mother?"

Esmeray walked toward the head of the table, and as she passed by her sons she ruffled their hair. "Quite. The weather is splendid today."

"Oh, is that what you were talking about with Captain Airos?" Fynn's brow rose in question as he took a sip of his tea.

Esmeray's cheeks flushed, but she flicked her hand as if no one had seen the way they leaned toward each other when they spoke. She sat down and poured herself a cup of tea. "Oh, enough of that. We have more important matters to discuss." Raising the teacup to her lips, Esmeray cast her gaze upon Kallie. "Such as your gift. How has it been coming along?"

Kallie blinked, straightening in her seat. She was not used to talking about her gift with so many eyes on her. But at least Myra, who still did not know about Kallie’s ability to manipulate minds, was gone. "Fine."

"And how frequently are you able to use it?"

Kallie shrugged, unwilling to admit her weakness. Based on the queen's tone and how often the others were able to use their gifts, Kallie had the feeling that her inability to use hers at will was uncommon.

Fynn, however, confessed it for her. "Not often, Mother. One use drains her almost completely."

The queen nodded in response, assessing.

Kallie swung her head and glared at Fynn for having read her mind. "I told younotto read my mind."

Fynn shrugged with an amused expression. "Can't help it when your thoughts are so loud."

Kallie rolled her eyes, the movement causing the pain in her head to resurface, and she massaged her temple. And it did not go unnoticed.

"Dani told me about your headaches," Esmeray said before she took another sip of tea.

Kallie dropped her hand. "And what of them?"

"It might be time that you visit the Whispering Springs."

Kallie stared blankly and the queen sighed, placing her cup onto the saucer. "As you know, our gifts come from the gods. And they are not endless. Our ability to use our gifts is heavily entwined with our connection to the gods. And as I told you last night, Pontanius and Sabina created the Whispering Springs to help their descendants strengthen their gifts. It is about half of a day's ride away from here. Children often go there when they struggle to gain complete control over their gifts."

"I am no child," Kallie countered, crossing her arms.

The queen cocked a brow, and Kallie uncrossed her arms at the pointed look. "You have your father's attitude, it seems."

Kallie at first thought she meant King Domitius, but by the look on her face, Esmeray meant her birth father, Markos. Kallie's gaze fell to her plate, the half-eaten waffle staring up at her.

Esmeray continued, "But I digress. Since you have been gone for so long, it is imperative that you visit the springs. Graeson will take you."

Graeson leaned back in his chair, his arms lazily crossed over his chest, his face indifferent as he said, "Fine by me. We'll leave tomorrow morning."

"Fine, but I'm bringing Myra."

"No can do, little mouse. The land is sacred, people who are not of Pontian blood cannot step foot on the Springs or they will suffer a terrible death."

Kallie rolled her eyes. "You're making that up." When his smug expression did not falter, she turned to Esmeray. "Right?"

"Unfortunately he's not," Esmeray said, taking another sip of her tea. "So it's settled. The two of you will leave in two days. Then you'll come back here and we will work on your endurance." The queen set her cup back down and folded her hands in front of her, resting them on the old oak table.

"Fine." Kallie pushed herself from the table and stormed out of the room.

Behind her, a chair scratched against the floor. She refused to turn around as she made her way up the stairs back to her borrowed room.

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