Immortal Reign(52)

But the best course of action was to sit down and calmly formulate a plan.

He had changed a lot since his days as a rebel leader, and he wasn’t sure if such hesitation was an asset or a liability.

“Then what is it?” Jonas asked impatiently.

“I need you to go to Kraeshia.”

His gaze shot to the prince. “Why?”

“Because Amara Cortas needs to die.”

“What?”

Magnus absently stroked his scarred right cheek. “She is responsible for my father’s murder. I won’t allow her to get away with it without penalty. She is a threat to everything and everyone.”

Jonas forced himself to take a breath. Both Lucia and Magnus were in mourning, causing them to act irrationally and recklessly.

“Your vengeance is understandable,” Jonas said, keeping his voice steady. “But that’s an impossible request. Even if I agreed, I couldn’t get close to her without discovery, let alone manage to escape after an assassination attempt . . .” He shook his head. “It’s impossible.”

“I’ll go,” Felix said simply.

Jonas shot him a look of surprise. “Bad idea, Felix.”

“Disagree,” he replied. “It’s a great idea.”

“Your highness,” Nerissa said. “With utmost respect, I must ask: Is this the right move at this time? I thought your position was that our focus needed to remain on the Kindred and on helping Cleo and Taran.”

Magnus turned a dark look on the girl. “That is still my focus. But this is also the right move, one that should have been taken months ago. Amara is responsible for countless atrocities committed against innocents.”

“So was your father,” Nerissa said, not flinching when Magnus’s glare intensified. “Apologies, but it’s the truth.”

“I’ll leave immediately,” Felix said. “Happy to serve. I’ve been waiting for this chance.”

“Chance to do what?” Jonas said, glaring at his friend. “Get yourself killed?”

“It’s a chance I’m willing to take.” Felix shrugged and spread his hands. “This is what I do, and I’m damn good at it, your highness. Jonas has perhaps a few too many pesky morals in place when it comes to the thought of killing a woman. But me? Right woman, right time, right blade—or, hell, my bare hands—and she won’t be anyone’s problem anymore.”

“Good,” Magnus said with a sharp nod. “Leave today, and take whomever you need as backup.”

“I’ll need no one but myself.”

“I’ll go with you,” Nerissa said.

Felix rolled his eyes. “What, to try to stop me? To remind me that everyone deserves a shiny chance at redemption? Save your breath.”

“No. I’ll go to make sure you don’t get yourself unnecessarily slaughtered. I came to know Amara very well during my short time in her service. And I believe she trusts me, despite my choice to side with Princess Cleo.”

Felix eyed her with doubt. “You won’t try to stop me.”

“No. I’ll help you.”

“Good,” Magnus said. “You will go with Felix. And kindly let Amara know before she draws her last breath that this was on my orders.”

Felix bowed his head. “It will be my pleasure, your highness.”

Magnus turned as if to leave, but Jonas knew he couldn’t let him.

“Lucia’s gone,” he said.

Magnus’s shoulders tensed. He turn around slowly and glared at Jonas—a look so menacing that Jonas nearly winced from it.

“What?” he snapped.

“She believes Kyan was here just now, that he kidnapped Lyssa. She’s gone after him.”

Magnus swore under his breath. “Is it true? Was Kyan here and no alarms were raised?”

“I don’t know for sure. But Lucia most definitely seemed to think so.”

“I can’t leave. Not with Cleo here . . . not with everything that’s happened today.” A thread of panic had entered Magnus’s deep voice. Then he swore again before he looked at Jonas. “You.”

Jonas frowned. “Me?”

“Go after my sister. Bring her back. You’re certainly not my first choice, but you did it once, and you can damn well do it again. This is a command.”

Jonas glared at him. “A command, is it?”

The fierceness in Magnus’s dark eyes fell away, replaced by worry. “Fine. I won’t command you. I’ll ask you . . . please. I trust you to do this more than anyone else. Please find my sister and bring her back. If she’s right, if this was Kyan’s doing, together we will search for my niece.”

Jonas couldn’t speak. He nodded once.

He would do as Magnus asked him.

But he wouldn’t drag Lucia back here kicking and screaming. He didn’t think he could even if he wanted to. Instead, he would follow her. And he would help her.

And, he thought with pained determination, if Timotheus is right and she ends up using her magic to help Kyan, dooming the rest of the world and everyone in it . . .

He slid his hand over the golden dagger at his hip.

Then I will kill her.





CHAPTER 18


    AMARA