Kayin?
She didn’t answer for a long moment.
“It must happen in order to save Magekind. We will speak again in time.”
I asked about Silas, but she gave me no response. Torrin told me the Prince would dictate the fate of our people. But what did that mean? I kept begging her for answers, but she ignored my requests.
I struggled to find sleep that night, my tears spilling out over fear of what was to come.
It wasn’t until the next morning that the news spread across the kingdom. News that changed everything.
Queen Ryia had been assassinated.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“How?Howcouldthishave happened?” I went into a full-fledged panic as soon as Mother and I heard the news first thing in the morning. My mind automatically went to the worst. Torrin and Kayin—they knew something was going to happen. She warned me last night. She knew!
Torrin seemed to respect and care for the Queen. Was it all an act? Did I make friends with those looking to kill the Queen?
There was no way Torrin would've agreed with such a thing…no possible way.
Then, my stomach dipped.
Silas…
My heart broke for my lover, and then the anxiety that he may be harmed next took over. Immediately, I went to put on my cloak, but Mother grabbed my forearm, tugging me back forcefully. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“I have to see him. He needs me.”
“Lena, if you think the castle was swarming with guards before, it certainly will be now.” I went to break her clutch, and she gripped me harder. “You wouldn’t be safe. Even Silas wouldn’t be able to stop the King’s wrath, especially now that the Queen…” She couldn’t even finish the sentence.
“I can use the invisibility elixir—”
“And what if someone barges into his room while you are there?”
“He would protect me,” I said sternly.
“But would you want him to?!” Mother yelled.
I blinked rapidly. She was right. I wouldn’t want Silas punished for me. But still, how could she expect me to leave him in his grief?
Mother sighed, then slowly released me from her grip. “Wait until the evening.”
“But—”
“And please, please be careful. If I lost you…” Tears spilled down her cheeks.
“You won’t lose me,” I said softly. “I just…I cannot leave him alone in his distress.”
I agreed that evening would be best, even though it killed me to have to wait to see him. My thoughts went back to Torrin.
“When things change and go wrong, and you’ll know when that moment comes, you find me. Do you understand?”
If he somehow had a part in this…I would kill him myself.
After what felt like an eternity, I finally made my way down our path and crawled up the ledge, taking a beat to catch my breath. I didn’t know if Silas was in his room or not. It was almost 9:00 p.m., but given the circumstances, he could be in training, be with the King, or even be forced to sleep elsewhere entirely.
I sighed. After I surveyed the area to make sure no guards were around, despite having ingested an invisibility elixir, I began my way up. I was careful of my footing and was ready to make the final climb to Silas’s balcony when a force pulled me down.
