and sister, too. He has news he wants to drop. Oh, and there will be an extra bonus round tonight, something about being the best negotiator. Also, there’s something wrong with him. He’s sick and getting sicker. He blames me, because the warlock blames me, claiming I’m an evil sorceress, so it’s my nature, blah, blah, blah. The king thinks I’m hiding nearby and draining him in order to weaken him so that Roth can steal the kingdom back. I suspect he’s being poisoned.”
Roth leaned over to collect a handful of grapes from the bowl next to his girl. “Remember how Noel ensured my death in the tournament so that I could do a job for her? She wanted me to follow Milo...who knocked on Ashleigh’s door last night and whispered the phantom’s name.”
“The warlock is working with Leonora, then. Ashleigh told me she’s been taking over at the night.” What was the phantom’s purpose? I claimed a piece of fruit for myself. “You are no longer a combatant, Roth. You can kill the warlock.”
“I thought the same. Alas.” Roth gave a mournful sigh. “The oath remains in effect until the tournament’s end.”
I arched a brow at Everly, all, Up to slaying a warlock?
“Because of my bond to this guy—” she elbowed Roth in the stomach “—the oath affects me too. But you should know, you’re right on the money about Leonora meeting with Milo. I overheard them speaking at some point.”
“What did they discuss?” The words burst from me. “Why am I only just now hearing about this?”
“Because it takes time for certain conversations to filter through all the noise in here.” She tapped her temple. “Because I’m still learning. Because I was busy. Geez. It sounded like they are the ones poisoning Philipp, because they want to take the throne and rule the kingdom together. And I gotta admit, I’m glad to hear Ashleigh wasn’t the one telling Milo he will be the strongest, most specialest king ever to rule.”
So, what was the plan to achieve this goal, then? Milo would kill Philipp, Ashleigh would be crowned queen, and Leonora would bury Ashleigh once and for all? Either she would do it all, hoping to win me back, or she would truly marry Milo.
When we warred, she lived to spite me. And what a punishment it would be. The perfect recompense for me. I had married other women in the past, so, she would marry another man in the present. I would experience her pain and longing for what could not be.
“I will kill Milo in battle, then, rendering him a nonfactor,” I vowed. As for Ashleigh... I would see her at dinner.
I better see her at dinner. If Philipp left her in her bedroom, I’d rage.
Learning about the phantom hadn’t changed my feelings for her. Had it increased my guilt and shame? Oh, yes. But Ashleigh was a priority now, and if we could rid her of Leonora, I could spend the rest of my life making reparation.
* * *
I landed on the palace steps ten minutes early. I couldn’t stay away a moment more.
The archway had been decorated with ribbons and flowers. A swarm of pixies flew about, dusting the blooms with their wings. That swarm avoided one area of the foliage, and I narrowed my focus to try and discern why. When the reason peeked out from a cluster of leaves, I snorted.
One of Everly’s pet spidorpions crawled up the palace wall to spy on the king, since the sorceress could not hear him through vines.
Sensing movement behind me, I flicked a glance over my shoulder and scowled. My mother and sister had arrived.
“Saxon,” they greeted in unison, stiff and formal.
“Crown Prince Saxon,” I corrected. I remembered how pompous Philipp had sounded when he’d done this to Ashleigh and strove to match his tone. “Soon to be King Saxon. You will use my title.”
Raven stiffened further, but also nodded. “Crown Prince.”
Tempest remained quiet, staring ahead and saying nothing else.
Dismissing them, I returned my focus to the palace doors, where two guards were posted. As I stepped forward, they moved aside, allowing me to enter the foyer.
The cool breeze died, the overwarm candlelit air quickly becoming an irritant to my skin. I much preferred the outdoors. Other semifinalists huddled together in the corner. All but Milo. He wasn’t here.
The king waited just ahead, with Princess Dior at his side. I searched for Ashleigh, tensing when I couldn’t—there. Partially hidden behind Dior.
Ashleigh moved into my line of