Page 4 of A Traitor Sister (Remnants of the Fallen Kingdom #2)

4

RENEL

T he castle hasn’t moved.

Yet.

It’s still by the hills of the Western Domain, still at the same place it’s been for three months now. We might have a few more months here.

As we approach the Royal Terrace, I remove the Shadow Ring and extend it to Azur.

His eyes widen. “You want me to have it?”

“We can’t have it. It’s borrowed, and eventually will be returned to the human king.”

“I’m sure when was never specified.”

“Before I die, for sure.” Why do I have the feeling it might be soon? I place the ring on Azur’s palm. “Now take it and put it in the smallest drawer in the onyx cabinet in the Royal Chambers. Don’t tell anyone you’ve seen it or that I have it.”

He nods. I want more than a nod.

“Your word, Azur.”

His eyes harden. “I won’t tell anyone.”

“Then what’s wrong in promising?”

“People order their servants, not their friends.” He extends a hand, as if to stop me from replying. “But you don’t need to justify yourself. I know what I am, Renel.”

“The promise protects you. Again, it’s not that I don’t trust you.” As I say it, I feel the soft thud of the carriage landing.

“I can’t disobey you.” His voice is quiet. “Isn’t that more than enough?”

He shakes his head and leaves the carriage, giving me no chance to reply. What could I say anyway? Tell him that he has a lot of freedom, that I trust him? Insist that clear orders are for his protection? He never sounds as if he resents being bound to my service, just that he doesn’t appreciate being reminded of that. In truth, he is my friend, and I believe I treat him as such—except when my life’s on the line.

I sigh. He’ll soon forgive me.

I barely step out of the carriage when a guard comes to greet me.

“Your Highness.” He bows. “Lord Zorwal summons you.”

That was faster than I expected. A familiar chill creeps up my neck, an odd chill that never goes away. At least I had the presence of mind to give Azur the Shadow Ring, or Zorwal would sense it even if I hid it in a pocket. I’d rather not have to dodge his questions about the artifact.

My stomach moves more than my feet as I follow the guard. After so many years, I should no longer feel intimidated by the leader of the council, but on an occasion like this, with so many secrets to conceal, I can’t help the tinge of panic running through my blood.

Panic.

There was a time when Zorwal was someone I trusted. Of course I still trust him, to a certain extent, except that the size of this extent has been dwindling and dwindling each year. Perhaps it’s just that I’ve learned to trust myself more and gained the strength to step away from his protective shadow.

Instead of leading me to his office, the huge room that once belonged to my stepfather, the guard takes me to the chamber where the council meets, and where the fate of the kingdom is decided.

Zorwal is sitting in the highest chair, as if waiting for the council to assemble, dressed in an embroidered light green tunic contrasting with his long black hair.

I put a hand on my chest and bow my head. “You requested to see me?”

The door closes behind me, and I know I’m alone with him. I think about wildflowers on a meadow, a soft, warm wind blowing them, blowing my face, the smell calming me.

My master gets up from his chair and approaches me. “Of course. You never warned your guards that you left. I wondered about your safety.”

“An oversight. Apologies, Your Grace.”

“Hmmm. And where did you go in such a hurry?”

“The dark unicorn has been spotted.” The deceptive and yet true words come out of my mouth without any effort. “We flew over that area.”

He frowns. “Just you and Azur? Did you hope to capture it?”

“Hope is a persistent itch. Of course I’d like to acquire magic. But we also had pixies with us.”

He laughs. “You think the pixies would help you capture a legendary beast?”

“They flew the carriage.”

He clicks his tongue and shakes his head. “Still the same silly boy. Why this insistence? Do you think having magic will make a difference?”

Suggesting it would not make any difference is insanity. “It would help secure my position?—”

“ I secure your position. As long as I remain the leader of the council, you have nothing to fear. There’s no need to go on pointless quests.”

I bow my head slightly. “I appreciate your support.”

“Hmm. And did you see it? The dark unicorn?”

“No.”

He huffs. “There. See? That’s why I tell you not to risk making a fool of yourself. If anyone catches you trying to find the unicorn, you know what they’ll think?”

“That I want his horn. It doesn’t necessarily mean—” I was going to say that I want his magic, but a sting of pain makes me stop. I touch my cheek and feel blood coming out of a gash. I mutter, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t say you’re sorry. I’m tired of it.”

I feel another slash on the back of my hand and wonder if he’ll let them become scars this time, like he always threatens to do.

He continues, “If you ever want to capture the dark unicorn, what do you think you should do?”

“I thought I wasn’t supposed to?—”

He slashes the other cheek. It should be just a cut, but there’s something in the way he does it that makes it sting in a pain that’s blinding.

“Answer me. Before I slash your throat. If you want to capture the dark unicorn, what do you need to do?”

Fair. I know what answer he wants. “I must tell Your Grace. Then ask for your advice.”

“Very well. Do you want scars this time?”

“It’s not up to me to decide.”

“Funny. For a moment I thought you made the decisions here.”

“That’s certainly not the case.” The words came more cutting than I expected. “I appreciate your support and advice.”

“Is that so? Tell me then, why do we have another human visitor in the castle?”

Of course he would know about the girl already. I’ll need to change all the servants in that area, if they’re reporting information so quickly. “I’m hoping she’ll entertain me.”

“Humans are a dangerous thing to have as visitors, Renel. One wrong step and you could be breaching the treaty.”

“She’s here out of her own free will, as a guest. And can leave when she wants. Would you like me to send her away?” My heart pauses, dreading his answer.

He stares at me and licks his lips. “Bring her to me. And I’ll make a decision.”

“Now?”

“No. Later. I’ll summon her.” He waves a hand. “I have more pressing matters than lowly humans. Have your fun for now, just don’t ever try to make any deals or bargains with her, and never compel or force her to do anything.”

He truly thinks I’m stupid. “I won’t.”

“You can kill her, however, and I suggest you do that if you grow too attached. A human consort kept in secret is fine, but not in public, not for the Crystal Court King.”

“Wise words, your grace.”

“Go now. I have other matters to oversee.”

I’m still bleeding, still hurt. One day I might walk away like that, but not today.

“My cuts, your grace. Might not befit a king and create gossip.”

He smirks. “You need to ask for the head of whoever creates this gossip, then.” He takes a golden sphere from his pocket and holds it. “You know what happens when you don’t have a tight grip on an object?”

He opens his hand and the ball rolls to the tip of his fingers, but then he grips it again, before it falls.

“You may lose it, Your Grace.”

Raising his hand with the ball, he stares at me. “Just like the kingdom.”

Yes, and what does that have to do with my face? I would look like a fool leaving this room with such obvious cuts. Of course, I can’t say any of that.

Instead, I say, “The kingdom has a strong council, with an incredible leader. It makes the job easy for me.”

He laughs. “It makes the job for you.”

At least I finally feel the cuts healing and the pain subduing. “And I appreciate it.”

“I know you do. Now go taste your human. It might cheer you up.”

“Thank you.” I bow and leave the chamber in slow, heavy steps. Always too heavy, as I swallow down all the replies I’ll never dare utter. I always remind myself that I should be grateful. Without Zorwal, I’d probably have been dead a long time ago, and not only me. His methods might be ruthless, but he has my well-being at heart.

Even then, I don’t trust him, not with all my secrets. It’s why I can’t let him know I captured my brother, and why he must never, under any circumstance, realize that there’s a Tiurian in this castle.

TARLIA

I t feels odd to be here, in a strange land, among people I don’t know, especially when they’re about to argue.

Ferer puts his hands on his hips. “Lidiane, you shouldn’t be here.”

She smiles. “I disagree. And I bet you were preparing to rescue Marlak without getting Astra out of the Crystal Castle first.”

“How do you know all that? And how did you find us?”

“I also live near a river.” Lidiane rolls her eyes, as if it was an obvious explanation. “And am I wrong about your plan?”

“Unfortunately, yes.” Nelsin steps toward her. “We have no idea where Marlak is, and so far, no plan to rescue him. Even if we knew his location, our oath is to rescue Astra first.”

The girl’s enthusiasm evaporates like water on hot, dry ground. “Oh.” She pauses, then smiles again. “But I have a plan to rescue her. An amazing plan, in fact.”

“This is not your job,” Ferer says. “You need to be safe, away from all of this.”

“No.” There’s an impressive strength in her soft voice. “I won’t sit quietly waiting for the day some high fae convicts me of a crime and then enchants me to serve them. I won’t. I’d rather die trying than die of old age, hiding while my kingdom crumbles.”

Ferer approaches her and takes her hands. “I’m fighting for you. We’re fighting for you.”

I realize how much they look alike and assume they’re siblings.

She shakes her head. “I will act. It’s up to you if you want to be informed about it or not.”

Nelsin places a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure your plan won’t put anyone in danger. But before that,” he points at me, “have you met Tarlia?”

I was enjoying watching their conversation and pretending I didn’t exist, but I wave. “Hello.”

Lidiane approaches me. “I’m so sorry! I’m Lidiane, former dressmaker, current troublemaker.”

I laugh. “That’s a good job.”

She scrunches her nose. “The pay is crap.” Then she sees Ziven, lying down. “Is he all right?”

“Overused his opus magic,” Ferer says. “He’s Ziven, one of Krastel’s princes.”

She eyes the cave, then. “Why are you here ? I mean, that bed looks awful.”

“Someone tried to kill them,” Nelsin says. “Fortunately, they were rescued and brought to this cave by some fae who don’t want anyone to know how nice they are. As much as we’d love to take them somewhere more comfortable, it will be much easier once the human prince awakes, and it should be soon.”

“Makes sense.”

I wonder where they plan to take us. It’s clear they’d rather be rescuing Astra than standing here watching us as if we were lost children. Maybe they’re waiting for Ziven to wake up and then they’ll dump us across the River of Tears and wish us good luck.

It turns out freedom is not that exciting when you have nowhere to go.

“What’s your plan?” I ask Lidiane. I guess I’m wondering if there’s any way to delay our return to Krastel, at least until… I don’t even know.

Her brown eyes brighten with contagious excitement. “It’s something I’ve been working on, and I think it’s ready.”

Ferer glares at her. “You think ?”

“By think, I mean I’m sure.” She points to a large bag she’s carrying. “This will change everything. I’ve always been good with glamours and enjoyed creating clothes. I combined my talents.” She opens the bag and pulls out some black fabric. “These capes will make people ignore you. You won’t be invisible or glamoured, just unworthy of notice .”

Nelsin raises an eyebrow. “Who’s going not to notice someone wearing a cape ?”

She chuckles. “I mean that people won’t see you, even though you’ll be perfectly visible.”

Her brother narrows his eyes. “That could be great in a crowd, but how?—”

“The Crystal Castle is guarded by enchanted lower fae,” she explains. “They obey precise commands and need to vet all visitors. But hey, they only need to stop the visitors they notice. ”

Her brother watches her intently. “And you think we should wear your capes and walk right into the castle?”

She puts the capes back in her bag. “Not exactly.”

Nelsin makes a circle with his hands. “Oooh. Mysterious plan. Got us all curious.”

Ferer glares at Nelsin, then turns to his sister. “What is your plan, then?”

She raises a finger. “First, be glad I’m telling you about this. I just thought you’d be running after Marlak right now, when it’s not the right time. Second, if you want to come in and out unnoticed, it’s easier if you aren’t a strong fae knight.”

Ferer rolls his eyes. “I can wear a servant’s clothes. That’s not an issue.”

Lidiane shakes her head. “This is a mission for women.”

Her brother’s entire body turns rigid at once. “No. No.”

She giggles. “I didn’t even say I was going.”

His shoulders sag. “Who, then?”

Lidiane is still laughing. “Me, obviously, but you were all stressed even before I said it.”

“No.”

She sighs. “It needs to be me, to keep the magic of the capes active. I can’t just hand them to someone else. I’ll go in, find Astra, give her the other cape, then walk out. Nobody will see me. Nobody will stop me. If they do, I’ll pretend I work there. It’s my wish and my will. I’m almost twenty, and you have no right to stop me.”

“I can give you advice,” he says.

Lidiane lowers her head. “Advice taken. I will not go back to my city. Yes, I love to make clothes. Yes, I used to want to be the most renowned dressmaker in all fae lands. But I can’t do that if I fear a high fae could walk in at any minute and trap me into their service. And I won’t simply sit quietly and hide or work in the Owl Inn’s kitchen. Life is fire, Ferer. It burns anyway. It’s nothing but a short moment, soon gone. I want to feel like I’m living. If it all goes wrong, I’ll look back and tell myself that at least I tried. I’ll know that I wasn’t just a walking corpse counting the minutes until death.”

There’s something inspiring and contagious about her resolve, even if it sounds reckless.

Ferer snorts. “Oh, don’t exaggerate. You could leave the Crystal Court.”

“Right. And spend my life in fear of being sent back?”

Ferer and Nelsin stare at her in silence, while I wonder about life in the Crystal Court for a lower fae and ask, “What do you mean, sent back?”

She grimaces. “The Crystal Court can search for lower fae outside its borders without a conviction. Then they say that running away is a crime. It’s an excuse to hunt us down to enchant us.”

“That’s awful. And how do they decide who’s a lower fae?” I ask. “I mean, I know lower fae have animal characteristics, but you don’t look?—”

“I guess you said it. They decide it. Some of it depends on our appearance, sure, but it can be hidden. Glamours are tricky, but some fae replace parts of their skin, color their hair, some even cut off their horns or extra ears. And then it can depend on your family, your upbringing, your connections. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter that much, as long as the rich fae from the Jewel City can exploit and enslave some of us, the way they did with humans not long ago. And the funny thing is that high fae have a lot of human blood, or they wouldn’t look like that. Fae used to live for hundreds and hundreds of years, but they rarely had children. Now? We live for a hundred years or so, but have children easily. It’s all the human blood. A fair trade-off, perhaps, except that some fae now use the way we look as an excuse to divide us. And things have only gotten worse in the last few years.”

“Because of Renel?” I ask.

She nods, then turns to Ferer. “I’m going, brother, whether you like it or not.”

Ferer takes a deep breath, while Nelsin places a hand on his friend’s shoulder, and turns to Lidiane. “We can take you to the castle’s perimeter and stick around. Just in case. We’ll support you.”

Ferer slaps away Nelsin’s hand and crosses his arms. “How are you going to find her?”

Lidiane’s eyes sparkle with glee. “I know in which room they’re keeping her, and I’ve seen a map of the castle.”

“How?” Her brother raises an eyebrow.

“That’s my secret, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course I mind!”

Lidiane shrugs and gives no answer.

I wonder if they’re just going to abandon Ziven and I here, which is a silly, selfish thought. I am glad they’re about to rescue Astra.

Astra!

A crazy idea hits me. Too crazy, but it might be true that life is just a short moment, and I don’t want to sit here, in an abandoned cave, wondering about my lack of prospects.

“You have two capes?” I ask.

“Yes, for me and Astra.”

“I can come with you. I could color my hair black and stay a little longer in the castle, pretending I’m Astra, so it gives you and her time to escape. Later, I can climb down the walls or something. I trained to find escape routes. I can do it.”

I see a sparkle in her eyes. “Yes, until Marlak is safe. That would be ideal. Meanwhile, I could glamour you.” She approaches my face. “You and her, you look alike, you know?”

I snort. “Story of my life.”

She smiles. “Your idea is perfect.”

Ferer doesn’t look thrilled. “You forget that she can’t make any deal with us or work for us.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

Lidiane eyes him and exhales. “The river treaty.”

I’m not sure I quite follow. “I thought it only forbade humans from being enslaved.”

She nods. “Yes, but they could be tricked into enslavement, so the treaty forbids any deal on this side of the river and forbids employment. Even if a human wants to, they can’t work for a fae in exchange for any compensation.”

It’s odd that I studied that treaty and didn’t know the specifics. “Astra was here.”

“Humans can come to Fae lands as guests,” Ferer says. “Work or servitude is forbidden. Powerful magic will prevent it from happening.”

“I’m going to the castle because I want to,” I say. “It’s not employment or servitude.”

“And it will never be,” Lidiane adds. “The treaty won’t let it. Also, it’s better for us to go later, when the sun is almost down, so we need to wait. I think I’ll split one of the capes, so we’ll have three.” She turns to Ferer and Nelsin. “I’m being careful, see? And once Astra is out of the castle, you can find Marlak.”

Nelsin rests a hand on his face. “I bet Astra can help us find him. I think… they’re somehow connected. Their minds. He came to her rescue when we were… That day.”

Still addressing his sister, Ferer points at me. “Tarlia could go instead of you. Just lend her the cape.”

Great. Now they’re volunteering me to walk into a fae castle on my own.

“I have to go!” she says. “I’ll be careful.”

I point to Ziven. “What about him? While we all go to the castle…”

Nelsin crouches by him. “When he wakes, we decide what to do.”

Lidiane nods. “Meanwhile, we plan.”

My heart speeds up, but strangely, it’s not fear, but eagerness. After coming all the way here, I suppose in the end I will rescue Astra.

And then my heart speeds up for a different reason.

Ziven will wake up soon—and realize I ran and left him to fend off the attackers on his own.

He might also remember the foolish words I let him hear: I love you .

RENEL

T he castle’s heart is a room at the highest level, almost under the crystal on the roof, with a semicircular window from floor to ceiling, protected by a handrail. At its center, stands a pillar with a dark sphere floating above it.

My lack of magic and my inability to command the castle should make me hate this place, but it doesn’t. It’s where I feel most at ease. Maybe I like to look at the scenery outside, maybe I like to imagine the sphere one day obeying my command. I don’t know.

What I do know is that my palms are sweaty. Fae shouldn’t sweat, and yet here I am. Had I been a water wielder, I would be able to use my magic even in a desert. Alas, I have no magic—just embarrassingly sweaty palms—and a heart that often feels like it wants to punch a hole and escape this unlucky body.

I take deep breaths as I stare at the green hills by the castle, realizing that the beautiful view isn’t bringing me any peace today, when I hear the door opening.

Azur comes in, staring at me with worry in his blue eyes. “Did he give you a hard time?”

“No. Just the usual.”

I’ve never told him what the usual entails. I guess once I told him in part, and a glimpse at his horrified expression made me stop. The worst was his look of pity, and I don’t want anyone’s pity, not even my best friend’s.

Still, Azur stares at me with a concerned frown, and for a second, I wonder if this time Zorwal left any marks.

“What did he want?” he asks.

“To know where we went.”

His frown deepens. “What did you tell him?”

I lean on the rail in front of the window and can’t help but smirk. “That we flew by the area where the dark unicorn was last seen.”

His eyebrows shoot up. “Did he believe you?”

“He did. And he thinks I’m quite foolish, hoping to acquire magic.” A chuckle escapes my throat. “Right? Magic. What a silly, useless thing.”

Azur tilts his head. “Is that all he said?”

“He might also think I’m too incompetent to catch the unicorn.”

“ Nobody has caught it. Being unable to apprehend the beast doesn’t mean you’re deficient in any way.”

“Maybe. Or maybe he wants to watch my steps. Sometimes I wonder if he prefers me like this.” I almost say vulnerable , but stop myself, unsure if I can open up that much. “With no magic.”

He bites his lip, as if hesitating, then asks, “Do you want my opinion?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

He rolls his eyes then narrows them.

I’m not sure what he thinks the gesture means, and don’t want to guess, so I ask, “What?”

“You’ve been making decisions on your own lately.”

Oh. That. “You’re going to hold a grudge for life now?”

“It’s been only a couple of hours. But I understand. I do. Marlak’s your brother, and you wanted to talk to him alone. But it’s just…” He takes a deep breath. “Perhaps I’m silly, that’s all.”

“It’s not silly. Nobody likes to be excluded.” These words salt a wound much deeper than any cut. “And of course I want your opinion, Azur. I always do.”

His breath is slow and deep, while a shadow crosses his eyes. “Zorwal might not want you to acquire magic. If you do, it could undermine his hold on you.”

“The thought has crossed my mind.” Quite often, in fact, but some words are too bold to leave their confine.

He nods, eyes lost in thought. I wonder if forbidden, traitorous thoughts cross his mind, or if, like me, he’s come to the conclusion that there isn’t much to be done. Zorwal is my main supporter and protector. While I sometimes hate him, it’s not as if I could get rid of him—if that was even possible. He has some impressive magic, and I’m not even sure of its extent.

Azur stares at his fingers, then back at me. “Does he know about your human guest?”

I rest my forehead on my hand, as if it alleviated the impact of the thought. “Yes. He even heard about the girl, who barely arrived here. He doesn’t know what she is, though, and it must remain a secret.”

“What did you say? How did you explain her presence here?”

I shrug. “Amusement. He didn’t seem to mind it. Not too much, at least. I mean, he told me not to breach the treaty and not to fall in love. Sometimes I think he actually takes me for a fool.”

Azur laughs. “Our council leader is short-sighted, that’s for sure.”

“I wish.” Something else comes to mind. “He almost caught me. Did you hide the ring?”

He nods. “Where you told me to hide it. Quick thinking, Renel. If you hadn’t given it to me then…”

“Perhaps I knew what was coming.”

“Speaking of knowing…” He glances at the sphere at the center of the room. “I know you asked him once, but did you ever consider asking him again about the trajectory of the castle? Discuss possible solutions?”

“He didn’t want to hear anything about it, and I don’t plan to contradict his wishes.” My entire skin still recalls the sharp pain it felt when I dared mention my theories to Zorwal. I never told Azur how strongly the council leader reacted, and I don’t plan to tell him.

Azur looks at the sphere. “It’s just… Again, it’s not that I don’t believe you.”

I laugh. “But you don’t believe my predictions will come true.”

“No. Hear me out. Zorwal lives in this castle. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to see all his belongings getting swallowed up by a volcano, not to mention himself. If he doesn’t see any danger?—”

“It’s because he doesn’t trust me, Azur. Doesn’t trust my calculations. For three years now, I never missed. Not once did I fail to predict where the castle would end up. You know that. I calculated its trajectory. I know where it’s going, and it’s spelled out in all the books that if the castle goes to the Fiery Gorge, it will destroy our land. Why would they write that? Why don’t they tell us not to put the castle in the sea or a lake? Why warn against something that sounds completely absurd? Because it’s bound to happen.”

Azur eyes me with that odd sympathy again. “Your calculations might be right, but there must be something you’re missing. Self-preservation is the first law of magic.”

I shake my head. “I thought about it, and I disagree with that principle. Self-destruction has a strange allure. Everything ends. Everything dies. Sometimes we spiral downward, from where we can’t escape. Why should magic be different? Perhaps when we see our demise looming on the horizon, we want to speed it up rather than live under its shadow.”

“You predicted it a couple of years ago. I don’t think anything’s speeding.”

“For a millennia-old castle, a few years is but a blink of an eye. The castle is heading to the Fiery Gorge. I know it.”

“But no magic scholar has predicted it.”

“Nobody else knows where the castle is going. Nobody took the time to look at it. And why would they? It’s not like this castle is supposed to go rogue and trace its own trajectory. The castle master controls it. And that’s me. They don’t know I’m not controlling it.”

“Zorwal knows. And he’s not worried.”

“Maybe he wants to bathe in lava. What do I know?”

Azur chuckles. “You know what? None of it will matter. You have the Tiurian girl, and she can give you your magic. Wasn’t that what you researched?”

I chuckle too, even though deep down I want to scream. “I hope so.”

“You need to be more optimistic.”

“I…”

“You’re not sure about her magic?”

“Of that, I’m sure.”

“Then what’s bothering you?”

“To gift someone magic… It’s not like activating a stone. It needs to be willingly, needs to have feeling behind it.”

He waves a hand. “Oh, no. It’s easy. Get her to fall in love, that’s all. Why wouldn’t she fall for you? You’re the Crystal Court acting king, who also happens to be good-looking. She was with your brother, and he’s hideous.”

“What if she likes the rugged, scarred type?”

He shakes his head. “You’re looking at it all wrong. It’s hard to make someone fall in love with you when you care. When you don’t care, it’s easy.”

Does he think his words are encouraging? “I’m doomed, then. I happen to care.”

“About the magic. Not about her. It’s loving, confusing feelings that make people stupid. Manipulating people is easy. Making people love you is easy. You just have to find out what they crave—and feed them. But just enough. Make them want more and more.”

A bitter feeling covers my throat. If only I could believe it was that easy to be loved.

As much as I’m feeling foolish and weak, I need to be honest. “Can you help me?”

He opens his arms. “I’m always helping you. It’s not different now. When are you going to see her?”

“Soon. Fifteen minutes, to be precise.”

“Why?”

His question is bizarre. “Why not? You think I can make her want to give me magic from a distance?”

Azur chuckles and shakes his head. “You can’t see her yet. You’re the king, too important for a mere human visitor. You need to make her feel special when you do see her, feel like your attention is a prize.”

He might have a point, but if I have to wait even another hour, my heart will explode. “I need to see her, Azur, look at her and figure out if this plan has a chance. Then I can spend time away from her, but not too much. Soon the castle will move again.”

“You said you had two years until?—”

“Five moves. It could take five days.”

Azur shakes his head. “Renel, no. You can’t be desperate. Desperation is like a stench you can’t smell, but you sense it’s there. You’re powerful, cool, and collected. And you have all the time in the world. In reality, the castle will take at least a year to move five times. That’s an eternity.”

“You live in this castle too, you know? Perhaps you want to bathe in lava.”

His chuckle is light and relaxed. “I want the best for the kingdom, Renel. You know that.”

“I also know that a year passes by in a flash.”

He nods. “True. And what after? After she gives you your magic? Are you going to torture her and force your brother to crown you?”

“I’m not thinking that far. Either way, I doubt that prison will hold him.”

His joyous mood evaporates in a second. “Then why? Why not take him to the Blue Tower?”

“I don’t think it would hold him either—unless it killed him, and I don’t want that.”

Azur bites his lips. “You need to find a way to keep him locked up. His magic is not that impressive, Renel. And he goes around defying you, weakening your claim. You’re going to let him escape?”

“Well, I can’t kill him.” I don’t know what to do other than shrug. “What am I going to do?”

“Let him roam freely, calling himself king ?” He spits the last word.

I point to the sphere. “I have bigger problems.”

Azur rolls his eyes. “That’s the issue with your obsession. It could cost you your kingdom. Or your head.”

“Oh, what a silly obsession. I’m glad to hear what you really think about it.”

Tired of this conversation, tired of never being believed, I leave the room. When I close the door, I hear him yell, “I never said you’re wrong! You’re missing something, that’s all.”

I wish his opinion didn’t matter; wish I didn’t care. Averting disaster is hard enough on its own. Having no support, no trust, makes it even worse.

I stop and take a deep breath.

There will be no disaster. I’ll acquire magic, take control of this castle, and prevent it from reaching the Fiery Gorge—or at least that’s what I hope.