The tension released from my shoulders as he finally answered. “Here, Temir.”
“I need you to get the things from my room, Roe. I have to find Nadra, the king’s consort. I can’t explain it right now, but I think she needs help.”
“Let me find her. I can walk the castle. I promise, I’ll bring her to you. I don’t know what to get from your rooms. Trust me with your mate, Temir.”
“You knew?”
“You rode all night to get back to your rooms for something. I imagine only a mate would be worth sacrificing it for. Hurry now.”
He ran off down the hallway, and I bolted into my rooms. My mind was not here but with her and the terror and heated anger she sent me through me. Something had happened.
I threw my entire stash of leo flower seeds into a bag, then placed all of the dried leaves I’d been working with in as well. I took as much care as I had time for, wrapping full vials of serum I’d made. I pulled the formula book from the hidden tear in my sinking mattress and added that and the adda’s glass box. I took all of my dried herbs and as many helpful journals as I thought I might need, then threw as many books and journals into the fire as I could. I didn’t pack a single personal item.
I wondered if that’s why Gaea had kept her rooms bare for so long. It hadn’t occurred to me until now that I would never see any of these things again. I packed two bags full and threw them over my shoulder. I cracked opened the door and peeked around the corner. Still no guards. I snuck out and went back to the empty room I’d been waiting in before.
I paced. I sat. I paced again. They did not come. Hours passed. Absolute dread seeped over me like a cloak, and the most horrid revelation occurred. I lost the feeling in my face, the strength in my legs. I’d told her everything. Literally every single thing she could have used against myself and the rebellion. I knew she was my mate, but what if she didn’t? If she refused the bond? I could have sealed my fate in a moment of panic. I froze as the entire world around me came crashing down. I’d put my trust in a stranger, and as the minutes turned into hours in that damn room, I realized I may have made the biggest mistake of my life.
Chapter 40
KING TOLERO
The bailey around the castle was so full of fae I wasn’t sure it could hold more. The staff exited the castle carrying heavy trays of savory food and sweet wine as thousands upon thousands of fae stood upon the red sands, oblivious to what was to come. The threat approaching the castle, if everything had gone to plan. Inok did not leave my side as we took turns glancing to the wide-open unguarded gates, waiting impatiently. She would come. She was too desperate, too hateful to do anything else.
As if my thoughts were cast into the night, selkies filed through the open gate. Inok grabbed my arm in warning as Morwena followed close behind. She searched the crowd until her eyes landed on me, flickering to Inok’s protective grasp.
“What a foolish king you are indeed,” she jeered from above the throng of fae. “To stand amongst your people in the open night. Have you been so busy crying into your pillow that you could not even see that your entire kingdom has turned on you?”
“I’m not sure what you mean, Morwena,” I answered, stepping behind Inok as if in fear of her.
She cackled and gestured to the crowd. “These are my people now, Tolero. My warriors. They were all so eager to join me.”
“Were they?” I tilted my head to the side, the corner of my mouth lifting.
“Now!” Umari yelled a few feet away.
The selkies stepped away from the sea queen in unison and turned to face her with their harpoons out.
“What is this?” she demanded. She opened her mouth to enthrall the crowd, but before she could make a sound, the cetani filled the sky above with roars so loud her voice was lost in the roaring.
Asha swooped low and dropped the tightly woven net over her. She did not see it coming at all. I could tell she was screaming, but as the cetani continued their feline chorus, no one could hear her. Or anything else.
Umari stalked closer, staring down the female who had killed her beloved daughter. My heart pounded as the tiger within me roared, wishing it could be me but knowing this was Umari’s moment. My wound would not allow me to strike her without also hurting myself. It would be worth it though.
Morwena scrambled backward, further tangling herself in the net, and tripped, falling to the ground. Umari held her bo loosely at her side, spun in a circle, and slammed it across the sea queen’s face. Morwena hadn’t stood a chance. She crumpled to the ground. The cetani stopped roaring, but Umari did not as she struck the queen again and again.
Eventually, I stood beside her and placed my hand gently on her taught shoulder. “We must prevent her from speaking when she wakes. Please, let Inok bind her.”
She stepped back, shaking, but let him wrap a cloth around the sea queen’s mouth and a rope around her limp hands.
The selkies stood frozen, watching.
“She must be taken to the dungeons, and no one is to go near them. Everyone stays away, or she will enchant your minds to do despicable things. Is that understood?” I looked to the soldiers behind me.
They clapped their hands to their chest, and Morwena was lifted from the ground and taken below the castle.
“I can’t believe it worked.” Inok shook his head.
“Glad to see you still have faith in me.” I smiled. I had just captured the sea queen by playing her own game. Unable to relish in the victory, I faced the selkies. “You will march yourselves to the dungeons behind your queen and keep your mouths shut until further notice. You will allow my soldiers to muffle your hearing, and you will not make a move against me or my kingdom ever again. You will make no attempt to aid Morwena of the Sea Court in escape.” I used the last bit of magic I had, avoiding that final drop.
