Relan’s jaw locked. “I am not to leave you alone until Commander Frei arrives.”
Kees’s gaze bore into Relan.
“Blessed,” Faust interrupted. Kees wanted them alone for some reason, and Relan’s reaction spoke volumes to Faust. Kees may not have been on Relan’s side.
Relan shifted his gaze toward Faust. “Yes, Your Majesty?”
An unpleasant shiver ran down Faust’s spine at the title. It belonged to Konrad, not him. “You are showing my future queen rather poor manners. If she wishes to be comfortable as we mingle, it shall be done. The kitchen is not far, a simple order will not take long.”
Relan scowled but bowed and exited.
Faust’s shoulders fell. He would be punished for this later. He hoped whatever it was Kees had to tell him was worth it. Faust shared a long stare with Kees. Neither of them belonged in this situation.
“I apologize,” Kees said.
Faust raised an eyebrow in interest.
Kees pulled out a small piece of paper from under her chest piece. “I have only agreed to this charade to deliver a message.”
Faust took the paper.
We will come for you, my king.
Faust didn’t recognize the handwriting, but a faint scent of nature and fresh rain lingered. Blue brushed against his mind, and he was reminded of the sky. “Who gave this to you?” It most certainly wasn’t Ignas.
“It was handed to me in Elyon while I was with my father. It was from a merchant, perhaps from the Guild of Artisans. I am uncertain who is and is not in that guild. It could have been anyone, but,” Kees paused, “the man disappeared when I looked up—one second he was there, the next he was gone. He said, ‘Deliver this to the current king.’”
Faust frowned. They must have been a stone user—only a water veil could explain such a thing. Water users were rare in Alios, and he couldn’t remember anyone other than Rene at this point. He racked his brain for an answer. Among the Guild of Artisans, Lady Chloe might be able to, but he suspected Lady June more.
Kees stood and rounded the small table to sit by Faust. She touched Faust’s hand. “Know that you are not alone. You have many allies in Windilum.”
Faust forced a shaky smile. “I . . .”
Kees touched Faust’s face, her hand warm against Faust’s skin. “Fear not. We are strong. He is strong, and he is coming for you, too.”
Faust stared as a red aura flickered to life around Kees. She shared that same fiery red Zara and Ignas did. Faust longed for help, but he couldn't be certain if she meant Ignas or Commandant Vasil was coming for him. One would save him, the other would probably kill him without question. Faust took a steady breath. “I cannot move with my brother, Nik, in danger.”
“We are aware, as are your people,” Kees said. She pulled back and stood once more to return to her seat.
Faust tracked her movements, missing her warmth beside him. Her presence was steady and reassuring, everything he was not anymore.
“You were described to have more bite,” Kees admitted. “I see that the deities have you on a tight chain. I will relay this information. He will be most displeased.”
Faust looked away. Fire sparked in the air, and the message he held disintegrated. He gazed at Kees, her fire stone a faint glow at her hip. She was impressive, far more powerful than that single stone, but he didn’t sense a second stone on her. She possessed the ability to control more. “Why only one stone?”
Kees smiled. “I can use three stones, but I choose to only carry one. As you know, having more than one puts a high price on your head, but we are gathering. You can sense my magic unlike others can. You must be able to sense more than you let on as a four-stone user.”
Faust nodded. He hadn’t thought to try lately, but it would be the fastest way to gather the positions of the remaining stone users and king candidates, Konrad included. If he let his consciousness flow along the natural magic of Alimphis, it would be an easy task. They would stand out among the concentration of usual stone users in the kingdoms as well. Their magic was far stronger.
“This may be the only chance you have to try,” Kees implored. “The deities must be seeking you out.”
“The deities,” Faust murmured. He supposed he would give it a shot. He was unguarded and wouldn’t be interrupted. “I will try.”
Kees motioned for Faust to do just that.
Faust closed his eyes and leaned back into the plush couch. He loosened his senses and drifted along the magic of Alimphis. It nudged at him and guided him along in a strange path, then it hit him all at once.
A four-stone user was here in Alios. It wasn’t Konrad, perhaps Terrence? Another one was faint—nearly undetectable—closer to him.
Warmth radiated from three points—two in the south and one much farther east. The farther one felt strangely familiar, protective and formidable—like a Blessed. One of the two in the south was Ignas, that he knew, but the other heat wrapped around him in a shield, flooding his senses. His world tilted—it was too strong.
Wind rushed near and brushed back against him in a curious dance, guiding him away from the oppressing heat.
White noise beckoned him into the eastern lands next, until a familiar magic coiled back against him.
Faust sighed.
Konrad was alive.
Another four-stone user was there. One he hadn’t felt before, and it was stronger than Konrad. His brother’s magic nudged him to keep moving.
Faust ventured past Konrad’s strong magic, and a dark, malevolent presence slammed against his chest. Faust lurched forward. Something violent lurked far in the east, and it raged.
“Are you all right?” Kees whispered.
Heavy footsteps were coming closer.
Faust cursed himself. He had drifted too far away. He hadn’t realized they were about to have company. He could only hope by Alimphis that Lathil didn’t sense what he had just done. Relan was with Lathil, but Faust sensed a steadier, non-threatening, presence at the door. Commander Frei was already here.
Faust gazed to Kees and nodded. They both looked each other over with a quick glance. They couldn’t look out of place.
The door swung open, and Lathil barged in. “Lady Easton, I apologize we did not have refreshments for you. It will not happen again.”
Faust thought he would be sick. The liar. Lathil didn’t care one bit.
“I’m afraid I must cut your time short, however. I need Faust. An urgent matter has come up,” Lathil said. “I will see that another date is arranged before your marriage.”
Kees nodded. “I would very much like to get to know my future sovereign, but I am aware there are bigger matters at hand. Please do not worry. I understand.”
Lathil pursed his lips, a quiet anger racing across the deity’s eyes.
Faust glanced at Kees. She had guts taking on Lathil in a battle of words. She knew the power she would hold as a queen, but it was a dangerous game to play when they weren’t in power. That power was with Emoris and Lathil.
“Come, Faust.” Lathil turned on his heel to exit. “Relan, see to Lady Easton and escort her to a room until her father is ready to leave.”
Faust rose with the grace of a king and bowed to Kees. “Until next time, my lady.”