I sighed. After all Nara had done and the lengths they had gone to in order to get the ring, it still might not be the object with the queen’s magic. And they’d already stolen the king’s dagger to have it tested also. What other object could it be? Was it possible it was a small coin or something that we had never even seen? Something so small it could go on his person unnoticed? Or was it the crown itself? There were still too many possibilities to narrow it down confidently.
I groaned as I moved to the edge of the chair to stand up.
Krew gave me a confused look.
“We started back up running today,” I explained. “I am sore.”
“Owen said you had a good day of training though.”
I grinned, still unable to get the image of Owen dangling upside down in front of me out of my mind. “It was.” I looked at Krew and paused for a moment. “I didn’t know how to explain this to Owen, but until the other night, I always considered my magicyourmagic just trapped in my body.” I took the hand Krew held out for me to help me up out of the chair. “It wasn’t until it wanted to protect me and help me, even from you, that I realized it was mine too. So maybe there is one good thing that came from that night.”
Krew helped me to my feet and ran his fingers through my hair. “Of course it’s yours.” He brushed a gentle kiss to my lips. “It was a gift. To you. I knew when I gave it to you it would no longer be mine. But I also know you struggle with it at times. Owen and I see that, but we also see the potential. Not of what you can do for us, for the cause, but of what you will be able to dofor yourself. I hope there soon comes a night where you sleep well because you know you are not helpless nor will ever be defenseless again.”
I knew we were both exhausted and still recovering from the night of the ball, but there was only one thing I wanted right now. Krew had still somewhat kept his distance from me since our argument. I remembered his words from the morning when I woke up with the dome around me.I will not touch you until you wish me to.He needed sleep last night, but tonight more than I wanted him, I needed him.
I needed to forget all about the king, about which object held the queen’s magic, and about how we could ever attempt the impossible of getting his father off that throne. I just neededhim. To feel with my own fingertips how alive he was. To finish exploring his body in a way that ensured I’d live a thousand lifetimes and never forget it.
Krew?
Yes, love?
I was sure to regret this decision when Owen would roll me out of bed long before dawn, but I couldn’t find it in me to care. I need you to touch me.
Without another word, Krew made all space between us vanish and kissed me with the kind of thoroughness that made me feel as if it’d never be enough. No matter how much time we had left together, it’d never be enough.
CHAPTER16
“Iam numb.”
We’d just been in a meeting for the tour of the kingdom, which had taken hours. The Assemblages were officially down to six women. Krew’s Assemblage consisted of Renna, Isla, and me. Keir’s held Gwen, Delaney, and fortunately for Renna and me, Molly. Of the six of us, only Gwen and I were from the lower levels of the kingdom. But I also knew from getting to know Molly, she was somewhat considered a lower level of the kingdom because her family line of magic was weaker. So though she was Savaryn-born, she was treated as if she was from Rallis.
Still, this was going to be quite the adventure for the Savaryn women who had never seen anything other than Savaryn. Molly seemed to be the only one who was overjoyed with the concept of visiting the other levels of the kingdom. It felt as if the others viewed it as if it were an inconvenience.
I smiled at Renna. “Silvia had told me the meetings with the Assemblage advisor were boring, but until I experienced one myself, I just didn’t quite understand.”
Molly slipped her hand into my arm on the other side. “Are you excited to be going on a tour of the kingdom?”
I gave her a look. “Yes and no. Since I can’t fully explain here, we will go with yes.” I was honestly terrified. I would have to keep my magic reigned in all day, plus I hadn’t been back to Nerede since the fires. I only hoped the disloyal wouldn’t use this as an opportunity for another ill-advised plan.
Feeling a trace of magic travel in my palms, I squeezed my hand and willed my magic down. “I am happy to see my mother and see how fast the king has been rebuilding the bakery, even if I know it will only be for a short amount of time.”
“It sounds as if we are taking half of Savaryn with us,” Renna stated.
I knew what she wasn’t saying. The king was making a show of sending numerous commanders and their men, ensuring there would not be a disloyal attack on the way. I hoped with Gwen and I still in the Assemblages, the king was right. The people of Nerede had given me their word; the people of Rallis, however, I had no connection with.
I was a little surprised we were doing this tour to begin with. Parliament had suggested it to the king as a way to rally support behind the princes as the Assemblages ended, and the king must have decided it was worth the risk. Either that or he was hoping something happened, just so he could deal with it.
“I’m heading down to the gardens for fresh air,” Molly declared. “You two want to come with me?”
I had already trained with Owen today, so other than a nap, I was free for the rest of the day. Fresh air sounded fantastic. Particularly since I wouldn’t have to run or train in it. I could just walk the scenery with Renna and Molly. “Sure.”
We let our guards know and headed with them down the stairs in the direction of the gardens. We would have invited Gwen too, but she had been avoiding all of us since the argument we had while playing cards.
“Don’t worry though,” I told Molly. “If Keir shows up while we are down there, Renna and I will mysteriously have other responsibilities to attend to.”
Molly rolled her eyes. “So subtle.”
“Emergencies do happen,” Renna added.
