Page 172 of Royal Rebel

“The pleasure is all mine.” His voice dipped to a bare whisper as he added, “Princess.”

Fates. Clearly, the old man in Zoroya had shared her identity with Dakaar. Hopefully he’donlytold the Zennorian lord.

“You look younger than your years,” Dakaar told her. “It makes what you’ve done all the more impressive.”

“There’s still much to do.”

“True. Due to my position so far north, James has kept me informed of events in Devendra and Mortise. I was surprised to hear you were in Zennor.”

“I didn’t have a chance to speak with James before leaving Duvan,” she admitted. “But I’m glad I came. Things in Zennor are . . .”

“Unsettled,” Dakaar supplied.

“Yes. Please, tell me everything you can.”

“I’m afraid I don’t have much news from the capital,” he confessed, his expression tightening. “Information from the castle itself has been non-existent for weeks.”

She frowned. That was unlike her uncle. He was normally very transparent, allowing nobles and commoners alike to enter his court. “Why?”

“I don’t know. Meetings have been cancelled, and court is not in session. A week ago, I received a notice that cancelled my annual summons to report on my lands. It’s all very strange. And more tribesmen walk the streets of the capital than ever before, which has made people uneasy.”

“Are they from the Kabu Clan?”

“Mostly.” Clearly he followed her trail of thought, because he added, “Which makes sense, since Skyer is their leader and he’s been negotiating with Buhari. But rumor has it Skyer is no longer at the castle.”

“Where is he, then?”

“No one seems to know.” He spun her once, then pulled her back in. “Also troubling is the fact that King Zaire has not been seen among his people for months now.”

Her stomach clenched. “Months?”

His expression tightened. “Yes. Soon after he sent Princess Imara to attend you in Devendra, on your journey to Mortise, in fact.”

Well, Imara hadn’t actually beensent. But her father must have claimed the lie in order to keep the peace.

“The rumor is that the king is sick,” Dakaar continued. “Though his advisors assure everyone he’s in perfect health. They say he’s simply busy negotiating with the tribes.”

“What of the queen?” Serene asked.

“No one in the royal family has been seen in that time. They don’t leave the castle at all. Some speculate the entire royal family has been cursed by the fates for trying to make peace with the tribes, and they’re trying to hide the sign of the curse.”

That was indeed troubling. Not the superstition, of course, but the facts.

“People have been disappearing,” Dakaar continued.

“I’ve heard this, but I don’t know details. Is there a pattern?”

“Not one I can discern. Sometimes it’s a noble family, though it’s been mostly common folk. Entire households simply vanish. No blood left behind, or sign of a fight. No messages or ransoms. From the oldest man to the smallest babe—all of them, gone. People disappear from the roads as well; they leave one place, but never arrive at their destination. Many of the disappearances happen near the jungle’s edge—tribe territory, which of course rouses ire and suspicion. But people have vanished from the capital, the midlands, the coast—everywhere, really. The latest I heard happened last week. A whole shift of vineyard hands just disappeared. Their replacements came on schedule, but all twenty men were nowhere to be found.”

One of her tentative theories dissolved. If families had left without a trace, it was possible they were simply seeking a quiet escape from the kingdom. But not on this scale. And not unrelated vineyard workers.

“How long has this been going on?”

Dakaar shook his head. “It’s difficult to say. At least several months, but there have been more lately.” He leaned closer. “You need to be careful, Princess. I don’t know what you’ll find at the castle, but there’s bound to be trouble of some sort. If you need assistance, you may call upon me at any time. And when you manage to meet with the king, please send word to my manor so I do not continue to worry. It’s near Vibba.”

“I will. Thank you for your help.”

A hand touched Serene’s shoulder, stilling their dance. “May I cut in?” Cardon asked. His stance was firm, but his voice was harder. He was clearly not prepared to be declined.

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