Page 4 of A Warrior's Heart

“You believe the human king will be able to find the trident?”

“Nothing is certain. I’ve searched for it for years and found nothing.” Triton sighed and took a drink from his goblet. “I believed if it was hidden, it was safe at least. Yet now that King James is on a mission to locate it… we must act. We can wait no longer.”

“What of the treaty between land and sea?” I asked. “Does it still stand?”

A sinister gleam sparked in Triton’s eyes. “For now.”

I straightened in my chair. “What are your orders, Your Majesty?”

I would do anything he asked of me. My sword and my life were his to command.

“Simple.” Triton’s stare cut right though me. “Find the trident before the human filth does.”

Simple.Highly unlikely. The trident had been missing for centuries and I didn’t know where to even begin in the search.

“Yes, my king.”

“The details of this mission must stay confidential. Be selective of who you tell and choose your party wisely. If King James catches on that we know he’s searching for the trident, we will lose the advantage in this war.”

“War? You said the treaty stands.”

“Only on paper,” he responded. “King James will break the treaty as soon as the moment arises. You know better than I how quickly the tides can change… how friends can become foe, how allies can become enemies. Surely your late husband can attest to the same.”

Grief gripped my heart at the mention of Aeon. He had been killed in battle many years ago when one of our men betrayed us, telling the enemy our plan of attack. We had walked right into a trap.

No.Ihad led them into that trap. I was to blame.

“Yes. I’m all too aware,” I said through gritted teeth. It was one of those instances when Triton intentionally hurt me with his words in order to motivate me to do his bidding. And it worked.

“Seek out the seer called Phantos,” Triton said. “He dwells in the southern isles, deep in the mountain. He will set you on the right path.”

“How do you know of him? Have you sought out his help before?”

“I have.”

“And?”

The king’s icy blue eyes landed on me. “Enough with these questions. Your duty is to follow my orders, not question my decisions. Am I clear?”

In my gut, I sensed… something. An uneasiness that twisted through the pit of my stomach. However, I put my faith in my king. In my friend.

“Yes, my king.”

“One more thing.”

I waited.

“You are free to choose the members of your party at your discretion, but my son must join you on this mission.”

“The prince? He will not approve of this.” Lorcan had spent his whole life trying to get away from Avalontis and his duties as prince.

“I care not for his approval,” the king snapped. “I have let him live in the surface world. I have allowed him to have his family and do what he wishes. But the time has come for him to embrace his destiny. Hewillaccompany you.”

I nodded.

He waved his hand. “You’re dismissed.”

Before I reached the door, however, he stopped me.