Page 170 of I Dream of Dragons

“Our plans.”

I blink at him. “Plans?”

“I know Jai told you that for a very long time we had a plan, Jai, Tru, and I, to kill the king. But it became complicated. Phaethon wouldn’t let Jai turn against the king. He needed the king to keep Jai sane. A suitable vessel.”

I nod.

“Getting close enough to the king to kill him proved nigh impossible. The king’s magic is powerful and getting past it wasn’t easy. Jai was growing… despondent. Losing hope again. We figured out that the king is vulnerable while he’s biting Jai, but when he does that, Jai is unable to summon his own magic.And then the king started developing Jai’s powers. Added to his existing powers, it made him even stronger, complicating things more.”

“I realized.”

“We decided to try anyway. This year, this anniversary. Before the king’s powers grew stronger. Before Phaethon found a way to open the gates. Tru and I have been eavesdropping on the king’s conversations, looking for a loophole. We called on the human rebels to amass and be ready to attack, to create a diversion during which one of us might be able to put an end to the king’s reign. But now he put that mark on you, Jai has told me it’s over. He won’t risk your life.”

“Gods…” I close my eyes. “I came here to kill the king. The sea queen studied the prophecy and told me my water element was the key to ending him, but nothing worked out as I thought it would.”

“Why would you choose this mission?”

“I wanted revenge. For my family. And for Jai, whom I thought dead.”

His brows go up. “I wish Jai had explained this to me.”

“Would it change anything?”

“Perhaps. Are you really the woman he had once loved?”

Heat creeps up my neck, but the pleasure from hearing that is undeniable. “Yes.”

“The king keeps talking about the prophecy,” Arkin mutters. “He seems to think that now you are here, it will be fulfilled to his advantage. That Phaethon will take over and grant him his wish.”

“Why is he so convinced that ancient text foretells his victory? I mean, it’s long. Longer than the part the king recited for me…”

Who had told me that?

Lynn. Before the first trial. What else does the prophecy contain and would I find there the source of the king’s confidence that he will have his way? I have to find her, and I need to find…

“Jai,” I breathe. “Where is Jai?”

“I’d assume at his favorite spot,” Arkin says.

“The terrace?”

A nod.

“I’ll go talk to him.”

He frowns. “It’s already morning, human lady.”

“You mean finnfolk lady. And what does the time of the day matter?”

He looks chagrined. “Lady Rae. I meant… today is the ball. The third trial is tomorrow. Time is running out.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

“I’m just saying.” He shrugs broad shoulders. “If you want to stop the king and convince Jai that this world is worth saving… now is the time. I don’t want you to die,” he says, giving me an even look. “Both for your sake and Jai’s, I’d rather you remained alive, but what other option is there? Between your death and stopping the king, wouldn’t you choose the latter?”

“Your friend seemed to think the same,” I tell him coolly and leave him looking confused. Let him figure out which friend I’m talking about.

I have my own figuring out to do.