Page 10 of The Uncrowned King (The Bastard Duology #2)

CHAPTER TEN

Deciding to head south was easier than actually doing it. From the moment they’d agreed on the direction, the discussion on who would transport them began. Every time Rhi spoke up, a vein on Con’s temple protruded a little more.

“The larger our group is, the more we’ll stand out,” Villette reasoned.

Merrill’s withering look would’ve felled most, but Villette ignored him. “And the more we have to battle your sister, the better our odds.”

“It’s settled then,” Kora said. “Let’s go.”

Alasdair jerked away when Villette reached for him. “No way am I going anywhere with her leading.”

“I already said I would,” Rhi added.

Lotti held up her hands. “This doesn’t need to be so difficult.”

“That’s right. It doesn’t. We need to go. Remember? Time is of the essence,” Kora interjected in an effort to get things moving.

But no one listened.

“Enough,” Con said without raising his voice.

Everyone still went silent. Even Villette. Con’s black eyes flashed dangerously when Merrill’s lips parted to speak. The two stared at each other for a long moment before Merrill crossed his arms over his chest and clamped his lips together.

“It willna take seven of us to locate Miena or Derek. Rhi and I will stay behind. The moment you find Miena, let us know,” Con said.

Kora was surprised when his gaze turned to her. She knew what he would say before the words came. “Don’t. Don’t you dare tell me to stay behind.”

“He has a point,” Merrill said.

Kora shot him a glower then slid her gaze back to Con. “This happened to Derek because of me.”

“Oh, I think we can safely say the blame lies with someone else,” Alasdair said and pointedly looked at Villette.

Villette sighed dramatically. “For once, this isn’t about me.”

“As much as I hate to say it, Con’s right,” Rhi stated.

“If Derek gets your scent, he’ll come straight for you,” Lotti told Kora.

Villette lifted a finger. “I also agree with Con.”

No one acknowledged her.

Kora couldn’t believe everyone sided against her. “I could be what brings him to us.”

“If he’s near Miena, maybe,” Con said.

Merrill shook his head. “I understand your need to be there, but you’re no’ thinking beyond that. You know what it’s like to have Bryok and Gordon after you. It will take several of us to get you clear if Derek comes after you.”

Everything he said made sense, but Kora still wouldn’t relent. She couldn’t. “We have Miena’s general location. So? That doesn’t mean Derek is there. We have to find him.”

“We will,” Con assured her. “But, as you said, we have a general location. This will take steps.”

Villette wrinkled her nose. “If you don’t want a dead hellhound, I’d keep her away from Derek until we know he isn’t under my sister’s spell.”

“Nay,” Kora said, but now she was the one being ignored.

And she hated it.

Worse, she understood it. It would be her argument if she were on the other side. That didn’t make accepting it any easier, however.

Within moments, Lotti, Alasdair, Merrill, and Villette were gone.

“This isn’t right,” Kora said. “I’m meant to find him.”

Rhi gently touched her arm. “Come. Return with us to Iron Hall.”

Kora looked at the table, her stomach churning with apprehension. What if they found Derek with Miena? What if he attacked? What if he was on Earth, attacking everyone there? The what-ifs continued in a steady stream until her stomach was a ball of knots.

As she turned toward Rhi and Con, she suddenly remembered Daelya. “I promised Daelya I would come back for her.”

“The mortal who can sense magic in others?” Con asked.

Kora nodded. “She was too fearful to come out of the room where Miena was held.”

“No one here is stopping us.” Rhi looked at Con and shrugged. “Let’s go get her.”

Con started to nod when he seemed to see something on the wall. He moved and trailed a finger down it.

“What is that?” Rhi asked, her brow furrowing as she walked to take a closer look.

Con’s face was a mask of fury as his gaze moved around the cavern. “Claw marks.”

“Miena hinted that Derek had been here before,” Kora said. She then pointed to where Gordon had been sleeping. “The amethyst-colored one was there.”

Rhi stopped Con when he would’ve looked. “Don’t, my love. We can’t change the past, but we can change the future.”

“Aye,” he murmured.

Rhi rubbed her hand up and down his arm before motioning Kora over. “Tell me where we need to go.”

“The top. The section is destroyed. You can’t miss it,” she explained and took Rhi’s hand.

Con grunted. “The place where Villette tried to kill Shaw and Nia.”

“I’ve seen it from the outside. I can get us there,” Rhi said.

Kora was getting used to being jumped long distances. Derek no longer had his cuff, which meant that wasn’t an option for them anymore. If they even found him.

Her thoughts halted when Kora found herself standing outside the open doorway to Miena’s prison. Kora released Rhi and rushed into the room, but Daelya wasn’t there.

“Did she leave?” Rhi asked.

Kora shrugged and scanned the room again. “I hope so. She refused to leave before.”

“Does Miena know about her abilities?” Con asked.

Kora nodded as she met his gaze. “They spent a lot of time in here together.”

“We’ll keep an eye out for her. It’s all we can do,” Rhi said.

Con grunted. “We should go.”

Kora took one more look at the place where Miena had stood for a millennia. The chains were gone, likely melted once the flower was removed. Rhi was right. There was no changing the past. Mistakes had been made, and the only thing she could do was ensure she learned the lessons.

She turned to find Con and Rhi waiting for her. Kora walked to the couple, and within moments, stood in the center of Iron Hall. Someone called Rhi’s name, pulling her away, and Con stalked away to who knew where. Kora imagined he was going to find the other Kings to…do whatever it was they did. She was left alone once more.

In a way, she was glad. She was still fuming about being left behind. Though she had been the one who’d said she needed help. The entire situation was her doing. If she were able to fix it on her own, she would.

What was she to do now? Sit and wait? Wonder? Plan? Hope?

Pray?

She turned toward the stairs that led outside, then pivoted to another set of steps. Kora looked at the many other staircases that led to many other hallways.

“The city is enormous,” a voice said behind her.

Kora turned to find a woman with long, black curls and hazel eyes. The long-sleeved, dark green tunic looked amazing against her brown skin. The top hung to her hips, and beneath it were tan trousers that clung to her legs. A wide leather belt showcased a narrow waist and the dagger strapped to her leg.

“I’m Tamlyn,” she said. “I didn’t get to introduce myself earlier. We’re a large bunch.”

Kora tried to smile but wasn’t sure she succeeded.

“There’s food if you’re hungry,” Tamlyn offered.

“I don’t think I could eat right now.”

Tamlyn’s lips twisted. “I know that feeling all too well.” She shrugged. “There are plenty of rooms. I can show you to one if you’d like to be alone. The beds are nice. Or maybe a soak in the tub. I could also take you on a tour of Iron Hall. We keep exploring and finding more of the city. Much of it is in ruins, but we’re slowly putting it back together.”

The moment Tamlyn said bath , Kora stopped listening. “The bath. I’d like that.”

“I thought you might,” she said with a grin. “Follow me.”

They walked to a side stairway. The steps led to a corridor that widened where lights hung on the wall between painted murals. If Kora’s mind weren’t so scrambled with her current issues, she would’ve liked to look closer at the paintings. For now, she was doing well putting one foot in front of the other.

“I told Cullen we need to label the main corridors and especially the hallways that branch off them,” Tamlyn said. “It’s very easy to get lost. I’ve done it so many times it’s embarrassing. If it happens to you, just call out. Someone will hear you.”

Tamlyn took the first left and stopped at the third door on the left. She pushed the door open. “This is one of my favorite rooms.”

Kora looked through the doorway and gaped at the beauty within. The far wall had a forest scene painted on it in greens, whites, and pinks. In the corner, a tree had been painted with an abundance of leaves and huge, pink flowers, its limbs contouring the ceiling as well as the walls. To her astonishment, someone had designed the tree to appear real as it jutted from the wall.

The bed was covered in different white fabrics. There were ruffles and lace, velvet and linen, cotton and silk. Three large, white pillows sat against the wall. There was a round, white pillow with ruffles, a rectangular one in white with pale pink dots, and a soft pink pillow that looked like a bow. A white and pink rug graced the floor.

To the right were gossamer curtains edged in lace. Kora was drawn to them. It looked as if there was a window behind them, with the sun shining through. But when she opened the curtains, it was a lighted glass panel that gave the appearance of the sun and showcased a second forest setting. She touched the glass in amazement. Kora turned to tell Tamlyn how beautiful everything was when she caught sight of the opposite side of the room.

There, along the wall, was another pane of glass arching high overhead. It was lit like the other, and another forest scene had been painted behind it. Just below the window was a freestanding, white oval tub. A pale pink drying towel had been folded and placed over its rim. There was a basket filled with pink and white soaps in different animal shapes and another white and pink rug running alongside the tub. Farther along the wall was a white pedestal with a bowl atop it, and a silver faucet protruding from the wall.

“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,” Kora said, awed by it all.

Tamlyn beamed. “We’re all getting to play around with designs.”

“I’m afraid to touch anything.”

“Don’t be. This is your space now. Unless you’d like to see another.”

Kora shook her head. “This is perfect.”

“Good,” Tamlyn said. “I’ll leave you to your bath then.”

Tamlyn exited and shut the door behind her, leaving Kora alone. Just as she’d wanted. She sat on the edge of the bed and removed first one boot and then the other before staring at the tub. The full weight of everything crashed down on her in that instant. She curled up at the foot of the mattress and tucked her arm beneath her head as she pulled up memories of Derek. She imagined him molding himself to her back, his big hand resting possessively on her hip as his lips pressed against the sensitive skin behind her ear. A tear fell, rolling over the bridge of her nose and onto her cheek before dripping into her hair.