The King's Traitor (Kingfountain #3)(54)
Owen licked his lips. “I see I caught you off guard. Let me explain. Would you put down the knife?”
She lowered her arm, but did not release her grip on the weapon. “How do I know it is truly you?”
“Sinia brought me here.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Let me try and explain this quickly. She’s powerful with the Fountain, Etayne. She’s a Wizr.” Her eyes widened with shock at the news. “She brought me here through the fountain of St. Penryn, and I emerged yonder at Our Lady.” He nodded in that direction. “I stole into the palace and used the Espion tunnels. Your father is working for the king. He’s Fountain-blessed himself. Did you know?”
“No,” Etayne said, shaking her head. “I had no idea.” He could see the truth of that statement in her eyes, and he heaved a sigh of relief.
“It’s true. He was there in the privy council meeting—I could sense his presence—but his power rendered him invisible. I only saw him after everyone else left and he emerged to speak privately with Severn. He arranged Eyric and Dunsdworth’s escape and recapture.”
The poisoner’s face betrayed a sudden rush of emotion. She blinked quickly, her lip trembling.
“What is it?” Owen pressed, walking toward her in concern.
She was struggling to maintain her composure. “What else?” she said, her voice choked.
“I hardly know how to say it,” Owen said weakly. “I learned about the Wizr board from Sinia. Apparently, the Wizrs of old set up the game on this particular board, bestowing it with an enchantment to control the destinies of kingdoms. The two sides are Occitania and Ceredigion, and their rivalry has lasted for centuries. The problem is that if one side loses or breaks the rules the Wizrs set up, their kingdom will be destroyed. Remember when Severn allowed Mancini to violate the sanctuary of Our Lady by dragging Tunmore out? That triggered some unnatural consequences. Specifically, the weather.”
“There is a storm heading this way,” Etayne said. “Before nightfall, I could see huge storm clouds coming from the North. They’ll be here by tomorrow. Are you saying this Wizr board summoned them?”
Owen nodded vigorously. “Remember the unnatural snow that happened all those years ago? It was induced by the Wizr set Tunmore was hiding in the fountain of Our Lady of Kingfountain. This Wizr game allows certain individuals to manipulate the pieces, but only if they have that right by blood. I’m to teach Drew how to play the game so he can move the pieces to defeat Severn. If we don’t defeat him, Ceredigion will be destroyed under a curse of ice. The duchess is trying to stop this as well. We’ve made an alliance. She will help overthrow Severn.”
A distrusting look crossed Etayne’s face. “She told you all this?”
“She did,” Owen said. “It makes sense, Etayne! I’ve seen evidence of it throughout my life. And the Fountain told me that Drew is the Dreadful Deadman. He’s the fulfillment of the prophecy, the only heir of the Argentine family that will allow the game to continue on. Every kingdom is going to attack us. That’s what the prophecy says. Severn is the kind of man who would sooner let everyone be destroyed than yield the hollow crown voluntarily. Do you doubt it, Etayne?”
She put away the dagger. “I don’t doubt that, Owen. But the duchess may have other motives for helping us. Is she really as benevolent as she’s made you believe?”
Her words stabbed a sliver of doubt into Owen’s heart. “I think she’s trustworthy, yes,” he said, infusing the words with as much conviction as he could muster.
“So what is your plan, Owen?” Etayne said after a moment’s pause. “What happens next?”
Owen wasn’t certain she was convinced. “Do you believe me, Etayne? Judging from your expression, you’re more wary than usual.”
She shook her head and sighed. “You caught me off guard, and I’m not used to that. I truly didn’t expect to find you here ahead of me. I came here to make sure it was safe for you to return to Kingfountain, and then there you were. The first thing you told me was that my father is in league with Severn. Owen, you must understand that he is the most untrustworthy man in all of Ceredigion. He is a liar and a thief, and he’s not been faithful to anyone in his entire life.” Tears danced on her lashes as she spoke. “I think he saw me when we went into his cell. If he suspects I’m still alive, he’ll try and find me so he can manipulate me as he’s always done.” She was trembling, which surprised him. She knew a thousand ways to kill a man, yet memories of her father, the thief, still haunted her. She clenched her fist and pressed it hard against her lips as she struggled to maintain her composure. He couldn’t see the awful memories playing through her mind, but he sensed them. A tear trickled down her cheek.
Owen hurt for her. How many times had she comforted him in his moments of grief and despair? Her failure to regain control of her runaway feelings sliced at him, particularly since he knew how keenly it would cost her. She was his friend, his confidante. The one person he had been able to fully trust over these last brutal years.
He couldn’t bear to see her suffer, so he stepped near and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. She stiffened at his touch, but then let herself lean against him, stifling a sob. He held her close, feeling the tremors shake her body. She leaned her forehead against his chest. The moment between them was bittersweet; he felt both drawn to her and afraid of her. Sinia had warned him he’d be tempted to betray their troth. Now he and Etayne were alone in an inn, night had fallen, and his dear friend was the most vulnerable he’d ever seen her.