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“You cannot seriously be considering this, Cecily,” her uncle argued, shaking his head. “This is treason. We would be hanged.”

“Quiet, Uncle. I am thinking.”

“A Witch has taken over your caravan, brain washed your soldiers, and is forcing you to submit. That does not sound treasonous if you play it correctly.” Valerie raised her chin. “The alternatives are I kill you and take your place.” Their eyes widened as Valerie rested her hand on her sword hilt. “Or, I take over your minds and leave you to wander the forest without thought. Mayhap you will live until I break the spell, or you will be robbed or killed.”

“What do you plan to do to the king?” the uncle asked, his face turning a dark shade of red in anger or frustration – she wasn’t sure which.

“Nothing. I just want information, but what I seek will not come easily. If I ask for what I want directly, they will know what I am. I will have to find what I want without them knowing.”

“As an invited guest, that gives you the freedom to search,” Cecily commented, nodding her head as though she understood.

“I do not intend to kill the king or anyone in his castle. All I want is what I seek and then to leave. When I find it, I will release the spell on your soldiers. They will be confused and have no memory of what has happened. If you say you were also released from a spell, no one would question you. As long as you remain hidden, of course.”

Cecily cocked a perfect brow. “How will we know when the spell has been broken?”

“You will not. Your role is to arrive after the final day of the gala to tell the king you have regained your minds, that your last memory is of a Witch taking over your caravan. I will have left by then. If I have not, then I will release the control I have over your soldiers and flee.”

“Why are you giving me the option? Why would you not just do what you have done to my guards to me?” Cecily asked, unfolding her arms to raise her hands in question.

“Because, my ladyship, I require your permission to share blood.”

“Excuse me?”

“During my stay with the king, I will have to suppress my witchcraft, which I can only do if I share the blood of a human. It will make my magic untraceable while making me appear human to those who can sense it.”

Whether they be another Witch or... a Dragon.

This was the danger of Valerie’s plan. She didn’t know who the king had under his employment. Another Witch would be able to sense her if they tried. They could alert the king if they were loyal to him or using him for their own gain.

Dragons... Well, they were creatures who could transform into humans with an ancient spell. They liked to place themselves in locations that often led to hunting her kind.

A stray Witch seeking to kill or steal from the king could actually be entering the hunting ground of a Dragon.

I will not be able to spot them without my witchcraft.Even with it, telling the difference between a Dragon and a human was near impossible for those who had never come across one before – which Valerie hadn’t.

“Will I be able to use magic?” The noblewoman’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“No. You will not be able to share in the power of the spell. It only works for the Witch, but both parties must be willing.”

There was a long pause as Cecily thought, her dull green eyes scanning the forest next to the dirt road surrounding it.

“Okay, I will do it. If it means I can be with my Godfrey, then I will do it.” Her eyes fell back on her knight, who gave her a soft, caring look.

Valerie crinkled her nose at the two of them.I have little aspiration for what they share.

“Cecily, my dear, you cannot do this!” her uncle yelled, pulling on his sword to unsheathe it. He tried to push her behind him protectively.

“Quiet, or I will have the Witch cast her magic on you as well. You can follow me around like a mindless dog.”

She gritted her teeth as she stormed around him to face Valerie. Once more, she placed her hands on her hips, but this time, she stomped her foot like an immature child.

His face paled at what she was suggesting. He was also coming to the realisation that he wouldn’t be able to fight her on this and Valerie could very easily take his say out of the matter with witchcraft.

“So, it is settled.” Valerie clapped her hands together. “We will share blood and I will take your place. Tell no one of this conversation, or, as your uncle put it, you will be hung for treason. Betray me and I will make sure your entire family line is wiped from existence, because, dear lady, my entire coven knows I am here and what has occurred on this day.”

A complete lie; nobody knew what she was up to.

With a nod, Cecily came forward so Valerie could do the spell. Finally, the last ingredient was in her grasp.