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Claude

Magda gasped, almost dropping the letter. What was the agreement referenced in the letter? Were the locations in the letter related to the map on the table? Why was a Captain of a Flaustran Guild speaking to King Claude directly? And why were they discussing the Azuremi Royals?

Magda had to get into the Flaustran palace immediately. She had to access the Scribestone and send a letter to Dagmara this instant. Her friend could be in danger—much more danger—than Magda ever thought before.

Odie growled at the door. That was her signal someone was coming.

Magda went to put the scattered letters back in their places as Odie scampered over to the desk. Quickly, Magda replaced the letter from Claude, and did a brief skim over the remaining pile. Queen Sanyal’s crest flashed on one of the remaining letters. Magda snatched it in her hand, hoping that it was the invitation she sought out, before shoving it in her apron.

In her haste, she knocked over a vase of decrepit, blue flowers. The vase rattled, rolling toward the edge of the desk, but Magda leapt forward, grabbed it, and set it back on the table. As she did so, her fingers brushed the dying leaves. Her eyes widened as the once withering violets sprang forward, blossoming into a vibrant bouquet, this time in various shades of turquoise. The bouquet was almost twice the size as before, threatening to tip the vase over.

Magda gasped, but she didn’t have time to waste. She steadied the vase and raced back to the chair in the center of the office. Just as she sat down, the door swung open.

“You have something for me?” The voice was direct.

Ishani circled around to her desk before she recognized Magda. Then she spoke in Azuremi with a thick accent, “Dagmara.” Ishani’s eyes brightened, before taking in Odie. “And your dog. What a nice surprise.”

“Not your usual Azuremi messenger, am I?” Magda asked.

“No.” Ishani unlatched both handheld axes and set them on the desk. The young captain was exactly how Magda remembered her from their trip together. Tall, fit, with beautiful, shiny black hair slicked back into a low bun. Today she wore a turquoise cape buckled tightly around her neck, overtop a leather corset; it pinched her waist and accentuated her breasts, which were dusted with gold sparkles and lightly beaded sweat.

Ishani continued, sitting down in her desk chair. “You’ve intrigued me, Dagmara. You’ve caused more commotion in this city than any other Azuremi visitor.”

“I heard. I had a run in with Captain Vex last night,” Magda said, hoping the mention of his name would make Ishani accidentally reveal what type of allegiances she had to him.

Ishani gave Magda a suggestive smile, “He’s not the only Captain that’s interested in knowing more about you.” Ishani stared down at Odie once more.

Magda’s face flushed, and heat radiated through her body. She wanted to keep the conversation focused on her, rather than her dog. So she said, “You never pressured me for information about myself.”

“I don’t care about guild politics. It’s not why I’m in this position.”

“So why are you in this position?” asked Magda, thinking back to the letter from Claude. Her eyes flicked down to the map scribbled with marked villages on the desk.

Ishani studied Magda’s face before following her gaze to the map. Then she said, “Are you going to be a problem for me? Or will we agree to not ask each other any more questions that could get us both in trouble?”

“Agreed,” said Magda. There was something that passed between them, but it wasn’t trust—it was something different—something deep and emotional.

Magda changed the subject, “You won’t have to worry about me for much longer. I’m headed back to Azurem and I need passage on your next voyage back,” Magda lied once again. “That’s why I’m here.”

“I’m not headed to Azurem for another few weeks. But sure, if you can pay as much as you did last time, I’ll save space for you.”

“Thanks,” said Magda, rising to go. As soon as she did so, Odie rose to his feet.

Deep down, Magda wanted to ask Ishani more about the letter from Claude, but she didn’t want to risk revealing that she had been snooping around the office and angering one of the most powerful guild leaders. That conversation would have to wait for another time.

As Magda headed out the door, Ishani called out, “I’ll save space for you and your dog on the next ship to Azurem. Stay out of trouble, Dagmara.”

CHAPTER 24

Dagmara

Dagmara could hardly breathe. She wasn’t certain anymore if it was because of her health, or if it was due to the fact that a ghost was standing in front of her. Shock rattled through her body upon seeing someone she had murdered come back from the dead.

Sabien Renaud.

The Ilusaurian captain stood before her, decorated in similar black attire as he had been dressed in the night at the tavern. The night she had killed him. His stature was still exquisite, and his gaze was just as captivating.

“Welcome home,” Dagmara managed, hoping her voice wasn’t as shaky as she thought it was. “The pleasure is mine. Excuse me—Martine,” Dagmara gestured to her guard, “the heat in your kingdom is getting to me, might we find some shade?”