Prince Azaren’s gaze slid back to me. “An enoram is someone who doesn’t believe in the use of violence for any reason. I’ve never used my magic to harm a soul, and I’m not about to start now.”
“No violence?” Asher asked in horror, acting like the prince had just spluttered some forbidden curse word. “Now where would be the fun in that?”
“I believe there are always other methods that will harbor more favorable results. True power lies in the pursuit of knowledge and enlightening others,” Prince Azaren replied earnestly.
“How noble,” Kade sniped, still glaring at the prince like he was imagining driving a dagger through the fae’s heart.
Locke motioned to the prince’s bloodied clothes. “And I suppose the monster from whom you stole your clothing was not harmed when you liberated him from his attire.”
Prince Azaren shrugged casually. “I found the clothing hanging on a balcony when I made my way through your city. I said I didn’t believe in violence, but I never said anything about stealing. And speaking of stealing…” His words trailed off as he peered around us, but he soon spotted the four fae books scattered close by. Darian had dropped them when the forest fae had knocked us out, and no one had picked them back up. Kade tensed as Prince Azaren moved to collect the fairy tales, but Locke shook his head, signaling for Kade to let him be.
Prince Azaren bent to pick up one of the books, and he brushed some dirt from the cover. “Though, I dare say taking the books wasn’t stealing but rather reclaiming seeing as they rightfully belong to my family.” He frowned then as he stared at the other three books still on the ground. “Where are the rest of them?”
“They’re safe,” Locke answered, taking a step forward. “Cooperate and help us find a way to break the curse over Katakin, and you can have them back.”
Prince Azaren stilled, and his eyes flared wide with panic. “No, you don’t understand,” he said with a shake of his head. “Those books are priceless. You need to tell me where they are. I brought them here, and if they get into the wrong hands—”
“Correction,” Asher said butting in. “Locke and Raine brought them through the portal, not you.”
“Only because yourfriendhere rendered me unconscious,” Prince Azaren retorted, staring at Kade with annoyance. Kade simply stood there with his arms crossed, his brow forming a hard line.
“Our friend here saved your life,” Locke pointed out. “The quicker you tell us what we need to know and we deliver you to the fae, the sooner we’ll tell you the location of the other books. So if they’re as important as you say, agree to the terms.”
Guilt seeped into me as I thought of where the other books were strewn around the forest floor, surrounded by murderous toadstools. I mean, they had to be reasonably safe, right? Unless some forest animal decided to have a snack or it started raining, that was. In any case, I rationalized that if the prince wanted us to keep the books safe, then he shouldn’t have created the portal near the death fungi.
“Wait, you want to deliver me back to the fae?” Prince Azaren asked in surprise, pulling me from my musings.
“Like I said back in the cave, we’re here to find a way to break the curse over Katakin,” I explained. “If we can stop a war from breaking out while we’re at it, that would be great.”
“Raine,” Kade growled my name in warning, but I pressed on.
What did it matter if the prince knew our intentions? He was likely the only fae who could help us. “If you are truly against violence, then prove it. The citizens of Katakin have suffered for centuries. Help us remove the curse and make them human again, and they won’t be a threat anymore. There is no need for war.” Realistically, I knew asking Prince Azaren to help the monsters of Katakin after he had just been tortured by Warrick was ridiculous, but there was something about the prince that made me believe his story about being an enoram. And what better way to avoid violence than to prevent a war?
Prince Azaren studied us all for a long moment before answering. “I can help keep you alive and out of my father’s dungeon, but I can’t promise to provide you with the secrets on how to break the curse. What my aunt did had never been done before, but I will try my best to find an answer in our ancient tomes. Some of the works detail information about forbidden magic and may be of use.” He paused then, his face growing serious. “But then you must tell me where my missing books are. The pages must not fall into the wrong hands. Not everyone in this realm is as honorable as I.”
It didn’t escape my notice that he said “the pages” rather than the books or the stories.What is on the pages of the books?
“Agreed,” Locke said without hesitation.
“Now about that part where you said you could keep us out of your father’s dungeon,” Darian said. “We encountered some friends of yours quite recently.”
“Yes, I gathered I wasn’t the only fae you’d had the pleasure of speaking to in the last while,” Prince Azaren said with a sly smile, his gaze flicking to where Katia, Geralda, and Frey still stood as giant trees.
“What are they?” Kade asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
“Dryads, of course,” Prince Azaren said like the answer was obvious. “Otherwise known as spirits of the forest. Kind fae who help protect all you see around you.”
Darian ran a hand down his chest like he was checking his stars were in their proper places, hidden in their pouches. “Those kind fae just attacked us and have sent word to King Chalir of our existence. I am sure they believe us to be your torturers and kidnappers.”
“How long will it be before your father comes for us?” Locke asked.
I had thought the prince would be glad to hear his father was coming to get him, but he only looked even more fatigued. “Dryads are wonderful fae, but everyone knows they are the biggest gossips of the forest. It shouldn’t be too hard to change the story. I can’t be certain how long it will take for word to reach the king, but the dryads can use the trees to pass messages, and I suspect guards could arrive at any moment.”
“Then I guess we’d best be expectin’ company,” Asher said as he pulled out his axes and twirled them in the air.
“What are our chances of evading him?” Kade asked.
Prince Azaren shook his head. “If you had your monster abilities, perhaps there would have been a chance. But without them...” He trailed off before saying, “None.”
