A LAND OF FIRE AND DARKNESS

Chapter 56

Delcallon's rooms were ruined, and he causally brushed it off saying he wanted to refurbish the room anyway, since it was made for him, and he wanted it to be made for us now.

He joined the others for breakfast as we decided not to make it too obvious that we suspected any of them, if not all. Breakfast was not a formal meeting, so I sat next to Del, eating a bowl of fruit while he kept his hand wrapped over mine.

He was nervous if not afraid. If it was one of his council, he feared they would attack at any moment. Holding my hand might be a way for him to feel he could protect me, but I think it was more because he used it as an anchor to remain calm.

Laveen leaned back in his chair with his boots on the table as he ate a bowl of porridge. Brallon was looking over some parchments of papers avoiding his breakfast, and avoiding eye contact with Yarris. He was still upset with Yarris after what he had said the day before. Rosay was openly examining each one of them with suspicion. And Yarris was examining her.

"What are you doing?" He asked as his purple eyes narrowed her. "I doubt you suddenly find us all devilishly good-looking." He shrugged.

Laveen looked over at Rosay and narrowed his gaze in suspicion. We were two minutes away from another fight breaking out between them.

Del stiffened and his hand squeezed onto mine.

I looked over at him and met his eyes. He was knocking at my wall, asking me to pull it down.

I listened and pulled them down.

Dorica is back – He stated swiftly.

I kept my body as calm as possible not to raise suspicion.

She feels something is about to take place in Utohia.

Del added as he sipped on his coffee and looked away so that it was not obvious he was talking to me telepathically.

We need to go see her immediately.

He finished as he looked over the room.

Leaving abruptly could cause more suspicion.

I brought his hand to my lips and very sensually gave a kiss to his fingertips causing his lips to curve up. His eyes turned into arousal as he watched me continue to kiss each finger, giving them more and more attention as I went.

"Get a room." Laveen barked as he looked over at us.

I glared at him like I would if he made such a comment, then stiffened in a way as if Del had shot me a very dirty thought. My cheeks flushed pink as I looked over at Del who was smirking at me in a way that genuine.

Someone is a good actress.

He purred into my mind. I stood up from the chair and pulled at his hand forcing him to come with me.

"Honestly." Laveen groaned with annoyance, "Do you two never tire?" He asked as he sipped on a mug of hot cocoa.

I shrugged before pulling Del out of the room completely.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my neck as he led me through the halls towards a drawing-room where I suspected Dorica was waiting for us.

He opened the doors, confirming my suspicions, before swiftly pushing me into the room and closing the doors shut.

Dorica stood wearing her leather armor and boots, with her weapons strapped to her sides. Her silver hair was braided up and Her eyes followed Del and me with a heavy look.

"Can anyone hear us?" She whispered softly.

I narrowed my eyes and tried to hear if I could track anyone's voices or heartbeats, but it was just us. I shook my head slowly as I glared at her.

"Eskar is heading to the castle to see your brother." She began as she looked over at me. I narrowed my gaze at her as I was unsure if I could trust her yet. "But, Del." She spun to face her brother, "He met someone else."

My eyes widened, "Who?" I asked sternly.

She shook her head, "I do not know." She continued with a panicked tone, "Del." She began sternly, "I think it is a Navarion."

My face creased as I looked at her. How had she figured it out?

"Why would you think that?" He asked as he stepped into my side.

"The figure appeared in a light." She stated sternly, "Their voice was also buffed as if a spell had been put over their voice to ensure no one would recognize it."

I had thought I was too drugged, or too dazed, which is why I could not identify the voice at all, but if it was a spell that the Navarion had placed, that would make sense.

"And why would they buff their voice?" Dorica continued with a distressed voice as his breathing shallowed.

Del thinned out his lips, "Because they fear you might recognize it." He stated as he shook his head.

"Everyone knows I am your spy for Utohia." Dorica began, "But there are only a handful of people I might recognize by their voice."

My body broke out with goosebumps. I did not know what to do if I could even trust Dorica.

"What did they say to Eskar?" Del began asking for further information.

She narrowed her eyes at us, "You knew it was someone here?" She asked sternly.

"We suspected a Navarion since yesterday." He answered sternly, not giving away too much information.

She bobbed her head in agreement, "The figure ordered Eskar to kill the King of Utohia."

My heart froze and my fists clenched. "What?" I growled as my thumb fiddled with the ring that kept my physical form in control.

My brother would never stand a chance against Eskar. "I need to go," I exclaimed as I spun on my heels.

Dorica grabbed me though by my arm and spun me around, "It Is a trap Alinta." She stated sternly meeting my eyes, "The Navarion buffed their voice because they knew I would be listening, they said it on purpose."

I stared into her eyes and listened to her heartbeat. I knew I could trust her then. Something about how her heartbeat thumped was calm but filled with stress due to the realization that someone close to her could be the leader of the Rebels. She was telling me the truth.

"I am supposed to just leave it?" I asked with a pained tone as I looked into her eyes.

I gently shrugged out of her grip, "I cannot just cross my fingers and hope they will not hurt my brother." I stated sternly. "If it was reversed, what would you do."

Her eyes depend, "It already is reversed." She demanded, "If you go, do you think for one second Del will let you go alone?" She asked gesturing to her brother with her hands. He slipped his hand into his pockets and bobbed in confirmation to her claim, "It is a trap designed for both of you."

I took in a deep breath as I clasped my hand over my forehead. I did not know what to do. I could not leave Carian to deal with Eskar. There was a very good chance Eskar would kill him. He may have pulled away from me when he became King, but he had always protected me and looked out for me.

I looked over at Del, "I cannot just leave him." I stated with a pained tone.

Dorica shook her head in disapproval.

Del looked into my eyes and bobbed his head. "Then we need to be prepared for the worst."