is right. It’s too dangerous for you out there. Eirik has probably sent his warriors looking for you.”
She dropped into a chair. He was wrong, but she couldn’t explain that. Eirik would give her time to leave before hunting her down. He didn’t truly want to kill her, she had to believe that, to believe in the words he’d spoken each night as they wrapped around each other, taking comfort in this comfortless kingdom.
But she’d fooled herself into thinking it wouldn’t end like this. The moment he realized she had magic, he’d known her for what she was.
His betrayer.
“Eirik won’t hesitate to kill him.” Ara used her magic to wrap the words around the room, echoing off every surface. “Edmund is in danger.”
Quinn sent her a cutting look, but there was something more behind it. Worry. If the Madrans and Belaens didn’t leave Cana safely, the two hot-headed queens wouldn’t hesitate to come in after them, setting off a war unlike any the Six Kingdoms had ever seen.
This wouldn’t be Bela fighting Dracon or civil war in Madra. No, this time, every kingdom would be forced to pick a side.
Cana’s next actions would decide its fate.
“He told us to stay here.” Quinn sighed and dropped his elbows to the table.
“And you always do as he says? I thought you were a prince…sure, Madra is a second-rate kingdom compared to Bela, but don’t royal titles give you more authority than a queen’s errand boy?”
She knew exactly what she was doing as red crept up Quinn’s neck, so she didn’t stop.
“Or has the Madran queen, your sister, stripped you of all your power? Is that why you were sent with this delegation on a futile mission?”
“Watch your words, girl.”
“Cana was never going to join the rest of the Six Kingdoms in this treaty.”
“I don’t need to listen to a spy.” The scorn in his voice hit her as it sank in.
She knew what people thought of those like her. After the war with Dracon, she no longer had warriors to lead or a mission she desperately needed. Being sent to Cana was a lifeline she’d gripped with both hands.
And now, it would end her life. But not only hers.
“Let me go after him.” She turned to face Quinn. “Please. He needs my help.” She didn’t mention that if Eirik saw her again, he’d likely kill her. That didn’t matter when Edmund was walking into his darkness.
She knew Eirik. If he felt a half of what she was feeling, he’d want someone to run his sword through, consequences be damned.
Before Quinn could give her an answer, the door slammed open, and a red-faced Madran ran in, thick black curls bouncing with her steps.
“Your highness,” she panted. “I…I…”
Quinn stood and approached her. “Ekho.” He put a hand on her shoulder. “What happened?”
“We need to get out of this town before it explodes.”
“What are you talking about?” Ara rounded the table to join them.
Ekho looked from her to Quinn. “There are men… Audun Orr.”
The name struck fear in most citizens of Cana, but Ara had never let Audun intimidate her. He was Eirik’s right-hand man, the leader of his armies. “What did Audun do?”
She knew what the man was capable of.
Ekho sucked in a breath. “It’s what he’s going to do. I was in the tavern. I’d gone to speak with Astrid since she’s been feeding us information. She said Audun is planning something, some kind of betrayal, and that it’s bound to throw the entire region into chaos.”
A betrayal.
A string of curses flew from Ara’s mouth. Betrayal usually meant one thing in the land of assassins. Death.
Audun already had the loyalty of Eirik’s warriors, all he needed was the warlord’s death to take complete control.
“We can’t let this happen.” Ara ran across the room to where the delegation’s belongings rested against the wall. She rummaged through them, looking for discarded weapons, but finding none.
“We need to intercept Edmund.” Quinn crossed the room and grabbed Ara’s arm to slow her movements. “And then we must leave. I need your magic. Get word to each of our delegates. We’ll meet on the road outside town before dusk and make our way to the Madran border where those from Bela can take ship.”
Ara shook her head and ripped her arm free. “You just want to leave?” And let Eirik’s own men kill him.
She no longer cared that he wanted her dead or that his sense of betrayal overrode anything he might have felt for her. She couldn’t