I did need to rest myself. One thing I had learned from Tove was that my powers weakened and got more uncontrolable if I was overly tired. I’d been so completely exhausted lately that I wouldn’t stand a chance against Oren.

Everything was so simple it was almost infuriating. Everyone had made it sound so difficult to kil Oren, but it would be the same as kiling any other Vittra. I thought I’d need a magic spel or something. But al I had to do was get close to him.

I knew Loki was right, and it would be easier said than done.

Physicaly, Oren was stil much stronger than me, he healed quickly, and his mind was virtualy immune to my abilities. When he had interrupted my wedding, I’d tried to throw him back against the wal, and I’d only ruffled his hair.

Stopping him would be difficult, but it would be possible.

But I’d need my abilities to be up to ful strength, which meant that I needed to rest. It felt lazy going to bed when so much was happening in the palace, but I didn’t have a choice.

I went upstairs to go to my room, and I heard Wila ralying the displaced Tryle from Oslinna. She’d gathered them in one of the larger bedrooms and told them how they could make a difference, how they could avenge their loved ones.

I paused outside the door, listening for a moment. She realy was a briliant orator. Something in the way she spoke always sounded seductive. It was hard saying no to Wila.

Wila was doing wel with them on her own, so I continued down to my room. A rustling sound came from inside my chambers, so cautiously I pushed open the door. I poked my head in, and by the dim light of the bedside lamp I saw Garrett rummaging through my nightstand drawer.

“Garrett?” I asked, stepping inside the room.

“Princess.” He immediately stopped what he was doing and stepped away from my nightstand. His cheeks reddened, and he lowered his eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go through your things. I was looking for a necklace I gave Elora. I couldn’t find it in her new room, and I thought it might have gotten left in here.”

“I can help you look,” I offered. “I haven’t seen any necklaces, but I haven’t been searching for any, either. What did it look like?”

“It was a black onyx stone with diamonds and silver wrapped around it.” He gestured to his own chest at about the spot a necklace would hang. “She used to wear it al the time, and I thought it would be good for…” He stopped, choking up for a second. “I thought she’d like to be buried with it.”

“I’m sure she would,” I said.