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“What are your plans for the day?”Will there be an opportunity for me to get Lady Cecily alone?

“I spent the day with the girls as a group yesterday, to see how they react now that they have come to know each other. Today, I plan to take them away from the court one by one, like I did those first days.”

Excellent.He pushed the plate away now that he was done. He placed his hand on his stomach, overfull but very much satisfied.

“I think that is wise, considering tomorrow night is the ball. You will not be available, since we will have much to plan to keep you and the people safe.”

The king raised his blond brow in concern. “Why? Do you expect something to happen?”

Geryon let his face fall to one of casual boredom. “We do have a witchling here. Some may come to try and take it.”

“I thought you intended to be rid of it by now,” Bradwick said, raising his brow.

“I have no plans on killing it, but the Dragon I sought to take it has not come. I do not trust giving it to someone else.”

It was a lie; he was just not done with it. Geryon hadn’t told Bradwick of his true plans.It is much easier to kill a Witch if I have an army behind me.Even a human one.

It was one of the reasons Geryon’s hunting grounds were always in a well-guarded place. Rurik was right; his magic wasn’t strong. It meant he could hunt without having his head removed from his shoulders.

He didn’t care if humans died for him to complete his hunt. He would continue to put Bradwick at risk in the future.

Geryon had already killed five Witches, ones who tried to gain a place of power by becoming a council member to Bradwick, where they would weave their magic to manipulate him. Either that, or they had come to kill him to take his place.

They hadn’t expected Geryon.

“Have you not considered how this may put all those who attend at risk? Or myself? I cannot retract my invites this late. The ball must happen, but I would have preferred not to have one if I knew it could become dangerous.”

It was all according to Geryon’s plan. “It is fine. You have me by your side.”

“You are mighty arrogant for just one Dragon. What if you have brought an entire coven down upon my walls?”

That could pose an issue.“It would not be the first time I have fought a coven. Your soldiers will assist me. The sheer number will be enough to take them.”

The child refused to speak to him, so he couldn’t gain any information on where it came from. Geryon had no idea the number of Witches in its coven, if they were strong or weak, if they were dark or white.It is likely they are corrupted.Every coven he’d ever heard of was.

One Witch would turn evil, and it would poison those around it. It was like a virus, a contagious disease that spread quickly among their vile kind.

He was set on killing every single one of them.

Valerie returned to court after visiting the library so she could obtain a poetry book. There was a poem she was sure the king would like.

I must gain his trust before the gala is over.She needed to get him alone.I do not wish to go to his bedchamber; there must be another way.

The poem was one of killing Witches, a gleeful tale for humans, a dreadful one for her kind. She was hoping to get him to gloat and tell her where her sister was.

She was running out of time.

She couldn’t search the third level of the palace. It was filled with guards because it was the king’s floor. It was where his apartment was, where he held hobby rooms of interest to him.

Getting caught lurking in those areas was dangerous.

Valerie considered trying to get Geryon to reveal what he knew.He holds his own secrets, ones I do not know. He also will not betray the king.Getting under her skirts was one thing, treason was another. She knew it would cause far more suspicion if she tried to use him.

No, it must be King Bradwick. He is arrogant; he will be less guarded.

The court was outside this day.

“I will get you a shade umbrella, my lady,” Victoria said before she rushed to find one, leaving her on her own.