Page 124 of Chaos and Destiny


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“Sabra, you will tell me when the queen contacted you.”

“Only days ago, my king.”

“And what did she say?”

“She told me that I was to tell her where the northern refugees are staying and that I was to stop assisting them in any way. I was not allowed to give them food, coin or clothing, and I was to tell them this was your order. She told me to convince them all to go home and forget that I had seen her.”

“Inok, you need to get word to Umari and have her send half of her draconians to guard the refugees. Go now.”

I realized I had just enchanted him, unintentionally, but when it came to him, he would always do as I asked, magic or not. Still, I hated that power over him.

He ran from the room.

“Sabra, tell me anything you have done to sabotage me or my people on your own behalf.”

“I haven’t, my king.” She shook her head.

“You are to forget the queen’s enchantment, and you are released from mine.”

She sank at the shoulders, and then tears streaked down her face.

I stepped in front of her and placed my hand on her arm. “Do not feel bad, Sabra. You could not control those actions. You are a loyal member of this council, and I’m happy to have you here.”

“But what if the refugees are harmed?” she cried.

“Did you see them this morning?”

She nodded, sniffling.

“Then they will be well. I’ve sent guards we can trust to watch over them.”

“But how do you know she hasn’t enchanted the draconian guards?” Jacon asked from the back of the room.

“Because they still bow to me and cheer my name. They still look to me as if I am worthy. She has been focused on the city.” I stepped in front of Igrer.

He shook in fear. He knew what was to come, but before I could say a word, he lurched forward, and I saw the knife seconds too late. He planted it all the way to the hilt in my stomach.

I inhaled a sharp breath as the searing pain was followed by warm blood soaking my robes.

“King Tolero,” Sabra screamed.

Igrer rushed for the door.

“Stop, Igrer,” I sang, gasping for a breath.

He froze in his tracks.

I swayed forward and landed hard on one knee. The room began to fade. “Jacon, get the healer,” I ordered, falling to the ground.

I woke to Inok leaning over me with concern and anger written in big letters across his forehead. “You enchanted me. You made me leave your side. I would have sent a guard and been right back to protect you. What were you thinking?”

“It’s nice to see you too, brother.” I moaned, my side aching.

He held a hand out and I used it to pull myself up on the table. A slow burn coursed through my stomach, and my limbs shook as I willed my eyes to focus on the dark room lit only by flickering candles and one small lamp upon a cluttered desktop. The familiar room took me back to so many moments in my life. Some were more painful than others. This was where we discovered Efi had been poisoned. She might not have died in this room, but as the walls closed in on me, it sure felt like it.

“King Tolero you must lie down,” the healer said from behind me.

“Have the Trials started?” I asked, trying to hide my memories.