Page 240 of The Queen’s Shadow

“Conrad is my, uh -”

“Friend,” Conrad said for me, stepping in and taking Princess Niamhara’s hand easily. “Mi and Rayven good friends, me come tuh help har free har people. Mi been especially excited tuh see yuh court, Princess.” He said smoothly, giving her one of his most charming grins.

“And I’m her father,” Jeremy provided. He didn’t move forward as Conrad did. He stayed close to me, and kept his hand on his Carbine, but he was smiling too.

“Well, it is lovely to meet you. I felt your shadows from miles away, the rumors must be true, my Queen. You are a force to be reckoned with.” She genuinely looked hopeful, and impressed. “Is it true that you have come to free us?”

I exchanged a look with Conrad, and he grinned. Looking back to meet Princess Niahmara’s hopeful gaze, I nodded.

“Yes, Princess. I am here to free you.”

I jumped as a pair of painted drakes burst from the trees and danced through the air ahead of us, their tiny rainbow-feathered dragon heads nipping at each other playfully as they flew. Conrad grinned at them as Princess Niahmara led us up the long winding dirt road that led to the villa, explaining how life on the island worked.

“We’re primarily a tourist destination… or we were, before we were enslaved. I supposed we still are, however, my people no longer work for pay, of course.” She said sadly. “We continue to entertain those close enough to Ash Nevra to be able to afford time on the island, but we used to be so busy this time of year. The beaches would be packed with families enjoying all that Envy had to offer.” She glanced at me, her large brown eyes misted over with memories of the past. “We are not The Court of Envy because we envy what others have,” she said with a grin. “We are The Court of Envy, because others envy us and our way of life.”

Conrad chuckled, smiling at her. “Mi believe it.” He said. “Dis place remind me of where mi come from.”

“Oh really?” She asked with a grin. “And where is that, Obeah Man?”

“Across Di Veil, me come from an island called Jamaica.” He explained, looking a little homesick.

“I would love a chance to visit someday.” Niahmara smiled at him, and I could have sworn he looked a little shy. I had never seen Conrad so sheepish. He was usually full of a cool, laid back confidence. This man before me was acting like a blushing school boy. It was endearing.

When Niahmara wasn’t listening, I elbowed him in the ribs. “I’m pretty sure she’s mated, lover boy.” I teased him and he shrugged, shooting me a lopsided grin.

“Mi nah see no stone.” He winked and I laughed quietly to myself. He was right, she didn’t seem to be wearing a mating stone.

“Where is Prince Caspian? I have heard so much about him.” That was a lie, I hadn’t heard much about him, other than we would likely be meeting him during our time here, but I wanted to get a feel for it for Conrad’s sake. Maybe this was another Zayne and Vespara situation and they were siblings.

“Prince Caspian is away on business, unfortunately.” She said, and I didn’t miss the slight edge of bitterness in her tone. “I’m not expecting his return for several weeks, so it will just be us for dinner.”

I shrugged. “That’s fine, your company is more than enough.”

‘Do you think we should ask about the voidseed?’ I whispered into Conrad’s mind. I didn’t want to beat around the bush here. As beautiful as the island was, and as calm as the atmosphere made me feel, I wasn’t here on vacation. I didn’t want to meander through dinner and take our time. I needed to save Amon, and every second wasted was a second too long.

‘Sure, look like wi still have quite a long walk,’ he said, gesturing to the villa which was still quite a hike away.

‘I don’t get why she didn’t want to shadow walk there.’ I grumbled and he chuckled softly.

‘Island time gyaal, no one in a rush here.’

That’s where he was wrong. I was in a rush.

“Princess, if you don’t mind me asking. I was hoping you could help us with something, while we are here.”

“Of course, my queen. Anything.”

“We’re hoping to get our hands on something called voidseed. Have you heard of it?”

Her eyes flashed and her dark eyebrows rose in surprise. “Of course I have heard of it. It is a native fruit to our court. It is a very powerful magick inhibitor.”

I nodded. “Yes, exactly. Do you happen to know where we could find some?”

“Of course. However, I must caution you, voidseed is a powerful substance, one that should not be used lightly. May I ask what you are planning to use it for?”

“Our enemies have a weapon that has the power to freeze us through our magick, and we’re hoping to use a small amount of the fruit as a means of breaking free from the spell, to hopefully win the weapon back.” I explained, and she looked intrigued.

“That is clever thinking.” She observed, looking impressed. “Though it is unnerving to learn that our enemies have access to such a weapon.”