A Promised Prophecy

Chapter Sixty-Three

I held on tightly to the books as I slowly backed away from Callisto. He continued to fight against himself, swinging his sword and then pulling away. He didn't follow me, so whatever illusion he was under kept him in one place. I wanted to help him but I also wanted to heed his own warnings. He opened it so I didn't have to, he wanted me out of there faster than the protection spells would've allowed for. I brought the books to the table and quickly organized them, placing the ones that could fit into my satchel and carrying the rest.

I turned to the kings in front of me. Paranoia creeping in again, even though it seemed that they were sent here for me based on Callisto's response. I displayed a weakness by grabbing those books and putting Callisto in danger to do so. They might want to know what is in those books just as much as I do. Hell, they might take the information in those books and destroy whatever partnership we had because the books could contain an answer to stopping Eris.

"I'll meet you there." I raised my travel stone into the air so king Cetus could see what I was referring to.

"However you choose to join us is of no consequence to me." The whale's voice echoed through the room. "I will ensure your safety as you travel."

His answer, contrary to how they had felt previously, was calming now. Maybe it was the fact that they weren't pushing the issue that eased my mind about the situation and I appreciated that he'd watch my back until I was gone. I wrapped my hand around the travel stone and closed my eyes, feeling the magic take me to Coralis.

When I opened my eyes again, the queen was waiting for me and standing behind her were hundreds of men and women, citizens of Coralis and Lizari folk, who were ready for war. I immediately regretted my decision to travel via travel stone. Or, to at least travel via travel stone without my back up readily available in my other hand in case a situation like this arose. I could struggle to find it in the bottom of my satchel but, at that point, I'd be taken into custody faster than I could move.

I stared at the beautiful queen who stared back at me. Who betrayed me? I assumed the king had to know about it. Was it his plan all along to get me to Coralis and then have me arrested? I wondered if he worked for Cybill or Eris. Then I wondered if both worked together somehow and we were missing an obvious connection.

"Welcome Rhea," the queen spoke to me with a smile, betraying the stoic nature of the people around her.