Layla diligently scribbled down Eli’s translation of the Pitkan travel log while Avouelle and Riko studied other books. Emalina, on the other hand, was focused on finding the prettiest book she could. Of her top contenders, one had gold trim around its edges, while another had handpainted flowers on its spine. She had just found another top pick - a gorgeous deep purple cover with silver accents - when she heard a faint noise. She turned to see Safania stirring. Assuming her friend was waking from her nap, she joined Safania at the table.
“Did you get some good beauty rest, your Majesty?” she joked.
But Safania didn’t respond. Emalina realized her friend was still sound asleep. Shrugging, she moved to get up from the table. But then she heard it again, the faint noise.
No, not just a noise. A whimper.
Careful not to disrupt Layla and Eli, she went over and got Avouelle’s attention. “I think Safania is having a bad dream,” Emalina told her. “Can you help?”
Avouelle’s eyebrows furrowed. Without responding, she stood up and walked over to Safania, who was now tossing and turning more violently. Layla looked up from transcribing, concerned, but Riko redirected her to focus on the text, assuring her that Avouelle had everything under control.
Emalina turned her attention to Avouelle, whose eyes were glowing brightly as she searched Safania’s mind. Suddenly, the glowing stopped.
“Someone is in there with her,” Avouelle said.
“But…how?” Emalina demanded. “she was supposed to be safe here!”
Overhearing, Eli rushed to Safania’s side, followed by Layla.
“The King is going to kill me,” Eli said, panicked, as he rubbed Safania’s back in an attempt to wake her.
“Can you get into her head?” Layla asked Avouelle.
But before Avouelle could even try, Safania’s eyes snapped open, and she shot upright. Eyes wide and gasping, she turned to the group.
“We have to get out of here.”
Emalina put her hand on Safania’s back in an attempt to calm her. “It wasn’t real, Saffy. It was just a dream. We’re safe.”
Safania vehemently shook her head. “We’re not. Irado is coming.”
“Your Majesty, we’re in Shyra,” Eli replied calmly. “They wouldn’t dare attack us here. It would go against the laws of the Nine Kingdoms. It would be an open declaration of war.”
Safania’s expression was grim as she responded. “I know. Apparently, getting to me is worth it.”
“It makes sense,” Avouelle agreed. “They know that Peria is the only realistic obstacle to total control of the Nine Kingdoms, and Safania is Cassius’s primary weakness. Ambushing her here would catch us unprepared. And even if Shyra tried to lead a retaliation effort against Irado for their violation, it would fail without Peria’s support.”
“Which Peria would be unlikely to give if Safania’s life was at risk,” Eli realized. “It’s horrible. But it would also be effective.”
“Let’s slow down and think,” Riko interjected. “Their plan is probably to make us flee. If they drive us to the Shyra-Abreean border, they can ambush us there. This elementalist has been poking around in your head for months, tormenting you. Now she suddenly wants to help? That strikes me as wildly suspicious. And how was she even able to get access to you?”
Safania’s eyes traveled to Layla, who was standing in a corner with her face contorted in concern. The Queen looked almost apologetic as she spoke.
“It’s Iya.”
YOU ARE READING
All I Am
Fantasy⚠️ Sequel to All I Need ⚠️ Once a slave, now a queen, Safania must prepare her people for an imminent war against the very kingdom that had enslaved her. But as she struggles to process the aftermath of the battle for Peria, and as her allies face c...
