Page 12 of Crowns of Ice
Growling, I tore a hand through my hair. I couldn’t mistphase. I couldn’t enact my affinities. I couldn’t even self-cleanse since my magic was so suppressed. Worst of all, I couldn’t speak with my guards or see my mate.
My father had stationed two of his guards outside my bedchamber doors, and they refused my exit or anyone’s entry other than my servants and Tylen, although they didn’t know about Nuwin’s secret visits.
Thankfully, Tylen was growing weary. The male hadn’t slept properly in three days, and it was beginning to show. Fatigue lined his features. On his last visit, it’d taken him a long while to suppress my power since during nighttime hours, he’d been woken every hour since I’d returned. We both knew he couldn’t keep this up indefinitely. He needed sleep.
But since I refused to give Drachu the pendant he so desperately coveted, this ridiculous game would continue until either I caved or Tylen wasn’t able to be roused to come to my chambers.
But I wouldn’t give in. Even if my father ordered my torture, I wouldn’t betray the pendant’s location. If I did, my mate would be forever vulnerable and at the Lochen king’s mercy.
My jaw locked when I pictured Ilara in the dungeons, and I swallowed the howl that wanted to work up my throat. I was failing her. Totally and completely failing her.
My pacing increased, and Balbus twisted his hands.
How? How can I free her?
I swung back around in front of my fireplace as snow beat against the window. I clasped my hands behind my back and trailed a finger along my wrist.
I stopped short.
Of course. How have I not thought of it sooner?
I swirled toward my servant. “Balbus, there is something you can do for me, but I’ll need you to be discreet.”
Anxious energy coiledin my stomach as I waited for my servant to return. I stood at the window, my wings as tense as my shoulders while I stared outside. Tylen was due back within the next thirty minutes, and I needed to conduct the ritual before then.
“Do you want me to try and get it?” Nuwin stood at my side, his hair tousled and eyes bright. My brother’s clandestine visits during the past three days had only been possible because of the trap door in my sitting area’s chambers. Our father had banned his visits too, yet the king didn’t know about the secret passageways Nuwin and I had constructed over the seasons.
“No. The risk is too great. Balbus will find it. It’s best that you stay near Mother and try to keep Father away from her, and that you keep trying to see my mate.” I dragged a hand through my hair again. “Have you been able to get in the dungeons today?”
Nuwin’s eyes dimmed. “No, it’s the same as the last three days, but I’ll keep trying even though the guards are staying resolute. It doesn’t help that Father’s threatened all of them. They’re too worried they’ll meet the executioner’s block if they defy him and allow me entry.”
“What about Ilara’s friends? Did you go to them as I asked?”
Nuwin nodded, and the light caught on his silver hair. “I was finally able to get them alone. Meegana and Beatrice said they’ll visit her today before one of their lessons. It’s the time they’re the least observed, so they’re hopeful their royal marriage tutors won’t notice their absence. With any luck, the guards will let them in. I doubt those two are in Father’s thoughts. He has too much else going on.”
My nostrils flared. “Good. Just get somebody in there. I need someone she trusts to check on her.”
“I will. I’ll try again tonight if her friends?—”
“My prince!” The door flung open behind me, and then Balbus was racing to my side. With wide eyes, he bowed hastily before thrusting a book toward me. “I believe I found it. Is this the one you spoke of?”
My eyes gleamed when I beheld the book of ancient spells. “It is. Thank you as always.”
Nuwin smiled broadly. “Well done, Balbus.”
“A pleasure, my princes. Truly. What else can I do to assist?”
“Nothing, other than stand back.” I hurriedly thumbed through the book, looking for the spell I’drecalled seeing back in my university days when I’d been testing and evaluating my ability to scry.
The words leaped out at me when I reached the section titled, “Fairy Bargains: Necessities and Toils.” I read it quickly, memorizing the spell.
When finished, I snapped the book closed, then grabbed my crystals from my safe. I would need them with my magic so suppressed. It would take the crystals’ power to channel what I could.
Balbus watched on, twisting his hands continuously, and Nuwin bowed his head.
“Good luck, brother.”
“Let’s hope this works.” Nostrils flaring, I closed my eyes while concentrating on the crystals in my palm. Because if this plan didn’t pull through, I was out of options to save my mate.