“You should stay on alert,” I warn. “Things could change with the rebels at any moment. They may be attacking small villages now, but they could easily escalate to larger targets, even the palace. Be careful who you discuss any plans with while I’m gone. The mole is of more concern to me than the rebels. Don’t tell anyone of our suspicions.”

Laurel nods in agreement. “So… how excited are you really to read all those books?” she asks with a genuine grin, changing the somber mood in an instant.

I laugh. “Truly, I think I might squeal when they first bring me to the archives. Other than this trip, it’s been a long time since I’ve left Thayaria, so I can’t help but be a little excited to see something new too.” Laurel winces, so quickly most wouldn’t catch the small movement, but I do. I know she feels enormous guilt for the mist, though I still don’t understand why she won’t drop it. It’s the one subject she won’t discuss with me. There’s more to her unwillingness than a fear of the outside world, but I haven’t discovered it yet. I quickly change the subject to ease her pain. “To see another kingdom’s history and research is amazing, but to see Velmara’s… it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. Even if I’ll have to occasionally interact with Mazus the Moldy.”

She scrunches her nose, then bursts out with a deep belly laugh. “I forgot we used to call him that,” she says through her heaving laughter. “If he gets too pompous, just drop that little moniker and then put up the strongest plant defenses you can muster.” Grinning, my heart swells with happiness to see her laughing. She doesn’t do it nearly enough, if at all, anymore. It’s also a relief to discuss Mazus in such lighthearted terms for once.

“I’m going to Velmara to cozy up to old Mazus the Moldy, and you’re going to meet the Shining Prince. I hear he’s extremely handsome.” I give her a wink.

Laurel snorts. “I hear there isn’t much more to him than that. They say he spends his days drunk, wooing women only to abandon them the next day. Gambling his father’s fortune and then finding the closest brothel to bed into at night. But I’ve also heard he has light channeling abilities that eclipse even the King’s powers. I can assure you I don’t intend to take much notice of whether he’s handsome or not. I don’t intend to take much notice of him at all. He’s the son of the worst male we’ve ever known and is almost certainly being sent to spy on me.”