“The nursery, I think,” Drew said. “She never came to bed last night. I think the baby was ill.”

Save the king.

Trynne felt frantic, but the warning pounded through her, even more urgent that time. She tried to see how she could get all of them to safety and realized it wasn’t possible.

Suddenly Lady Evie touched Trynne’s shoulder. “I’ll get them,” she promised. “I know my way through the Espion tunnels. I’ll get them to the sanctuary of Our Lady through the cistern. Go.”

Trynne felt a pang of relief and nodded. Evie rushed to the wall and tripped the latch that opened the secret door. She disappeared into it and shut it behind her.

“My lord, we must go to Dundrennan,” Trynne said. She marched up to him and seized his arm. The hollow crown sat next to the bed. The king stared at it as if it were a wolf spider, a bane. Then he took it up with his other hand, holding Firebos to his chest. He looked worried, heartbroken, and furious.

“Take us there,” he ordered.

The door flew open, revealing Rucrius and several guards wearing the Sun and Rose. But they were imposters and she knew it. The Wizr’s eyes were glowing, reflecting the light from the torches held by his lackeys.

Trynne pictured in her mind the castle of Dundrennan. She invoked the magic of the Tay al-Ard.

She felt the magic murmur.

Nothing happened.

A foul smile spread across Rucrius’s face. “All magic has its limits.”

The Wizr reached out his hand, the one with the beetle-sized ring, and the Tay al-Ard wrenched from her grasp and flew to him. He caught it triumphantly.

Then his visage shifted, his body altered, and suddenly Rucrius was King Drew, flanked by his knights. “Now give me my crown!” he snarled.

His eyes were still glowing.

I made it…

I made it off the island in the disguise of a gardener. There is a great war under way. The king of this land is seeking all available warriors to join the cause. I don’t know how I know this, but I am skilled in the arts of war. I saw a knight riding his steed, and when I saw his sword, I knew that I could use it. I have neither money nor a weapon of my own. They say the king’s army is across the sea fighting an ancient enemy. More warriors are needed. Perhaps I was a mercenary. I wish I could remember more.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR Scattered

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Scattered

“Stand behind me,” Drew said to Trynne, gripping the pommel of Firebos with angry determination. “He may mask himself, but I am the true king.”