certain that my sister is not buried deep within herself. If you can, Gabriel, she might be able to emerge as well,' Florentyna said, ignoring the appeal in Cassien's eyes that begged her to believe the opposite. 'Will he tire of her body?'
Gabriel considered this. 'Definitely, if he senses that anyone suspects she is acting strangely. If you want to keep her under watch, then she has to be watched either clandestinely or by someone she implicitly trusts and thus has full access to the princess.'
That made sense to Cassien. 'We're getting you away from here, Florentyna. And I suggest you come with us,' he said to the king. 'We must work from a position of safety. It is not safe here. I don't know who he might become next, but the palace has myriad hosts to choose from.'
'Except the princess gives him power,' Ham reminded them. Cassien was glad he'd brought this youngster along. His advice was sage counsel.
'I've gone along with this talk of magic and mayhem since I can't explain it any other way - especially because I saw your dead body,' Tamas replied, looking at Gabe but including the group. 'But do you expect me to just give up everything I've worked toward?'
Florentyna shook her head. 'Tamas, Cassien is right. We're trapped here. We need to go somewhere that the demon doesn't know about. Right now, he can only know what Darcelle is being told. Soon she will start exerting herself and not care a whit about protocol. Let's get away before that begins.'
'No, leave me behind to find out more,' he said. 'I have to see this with my own eyes. I am the one who has access to her and whom she trusts. More importantly, I can keep her occupied and give you long enough to get Florentyna away to safety.'
The queen looked to be in pain.
'But you are the very one she can compromise,' Gabe warned.
'I will be on my guard, I promise you, Queen Florentyna,' Tamas said, taking her hand and surprising everyone by putting it to his lips for a heartfelt kiss.
Gabe stood up, looking a little stronger. 'Your majesty, please, if you're going to do this do not let her become intimate. And remember, the demon can become anyone. I'm not sure how the magic has evolved. I thought I had it worked out, but the possession of Darcelle broke the rules as I understood them. The most important thing is that he doesn't know that we know anything. Cyricus is moving around in the smug belief that he is the one springing the surprise. Best we keep it that way.' He looked around at the small group.
Cassien nodded. 'King Tamas, we cannot tell you what to do. I would prefer that we stick together, but I'm also grateful for the time you'll buy us. Please heed Gabe's warning.'
'Believe me, I have no intention of being possessed by the devil.' He shot a glance at the queen. 'Forgive me, Florentyna, that was clumsy of me.'
She put a hand on his arm in silent forgiveness and the king absently reached and covered her hand with his own. Cassien noticed the intimacy, as he said, 'I have asked the guard to leave. We are going to slip out of here and hope to move unnoticed. I don't know how yet, but I plan to get the queen well away from Stoneheart. We will use Ham as a go-between. He can move far less obtrusively than any of us, masquerading as anything from a page to a - '
'Gong boy,' Ham finished for him, looking excited. 'Where will you head?'
Cassien shook his head. 'I'm more worried about getting out of the complex. We'll head north and we can all meet up in a couple of days. Any suggestions?'
'Majesty?' Tamas asked. 'You know Morgravia best.'
Florentyna frowned. 'Farnswyth is logical.'
'We want the least logical,' Cassien suggested.
'There's a hamlet called Tyntar in the north,' she offered.
'I know of that place,' Ham remarked. 'Isn't it where people go for their health?'
She nodded. 'Yes, it's famed for a spa.'
'We don't want anywhere famous,' Cassien frowned.
'No, but it's only known to Morgravians. I doubt that the demons will know of it,' the queen replied. 'And it's tiny, on the southwestern edge of the Great Forest.'
'Be careful,' Gabe said. 'The demons may not know but they have access to Darcelle's knowledge. Presumably she knows of it.'
'Yes, Darcelle knows of it, but she doesn't care for the place.