Hunted Sorcery (Jon Oklar Book 2), B.T. Narro [digital book reader txt] 📗

as the king approached Michael and Eden, who didn’t seem to notice that there was anyone else in the room but them and the music.

“Eden!” the king said.

She seemed surprised as she located him right nearby. She and Michael immediately stopped swaying and parted.

“Sire. How are you this fine evening?”

“Thank you for the ale!” Michael said. “And for the food. For the music. Hell, for everything!”

“You’re welcome, Michael. Eden, I want to ask you something. You know you can be completely honest with me, right?”

“I know I can, but I do have secrets.”

“Do any of these secrets have something to do with the person who has been working against us?”

“Not at all. One is about Michael.”

“What is it?” Michael asked.

“I think I’m starting to like him, which is a shame.”

“Why is that a shame?” he asked.

“Because I’m not looking for a relationship.”

“I don’t have to be, either.”

“But you are.”

“Yes.”

The king put his hands up to stop them, but they seemed to have forgotten he was there. He had to speak up.

“Eden Ledell.”

“Oh, yes, sire?”

“Have you any idea how the callring ended up in Kataleya’s room?”

“I have no idea. I thought she put it there, but now I’m not so sure.”

“What about the attack on Grufaeragar?” the king asked. “Do you know anything about how our enemies were signaled to come when the castle was nearly empty?”

“I don’t know!”

“You can be honest. I promise everything will be fine.”

“I am honest! I promise I would never do anything to hurt you or anyone here. I’ve never been happier in my life!”

“I feel the same way,” Michael agreed. He lifted his finger in the king’s face. “I know what you’re doing. You’re questioning everyone because you put something in the ale that makes us want to say everything on our minds. That’s very clever, sire!”

“I think it’s a curse,” Eden said.

I gasped. “Is it really, sire?”

He pushed out a palm. “It is as much a curse as ale is poison. It’s just a simple concoction that tends to bring out the truth. The right dosage will do no harm.”

“But how do you know we aren’t going to overdo the dosage by drinking too much?” Eden asked.

“Because it was in your supper, not the ale.”

“Oh shit!” Michael gave his leg a hardy slap. “Now that is clever!”

“Michael, is there anything you know about the traitor that you haven’t told me?”

“Wait,” Eden said, giving a glance around. “But the rich people look like they’re cursed as well, and they came after supper.”

“It was put in the wine served to guests,” the king answered. “I did not fear they would overdo it like I did for you young sorcerers. Now Michael—”

“I’ve been sneaking into the kitchens for snacks after supper, sometimes some ale also. I think your wife is very beautiful, but almost too beautiful, you know? It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. Also, sometimes I’m only pretending to practice when I’m really just making whooshing sounds as I move my arms around. Other times I forget what I was talking about, so I just start rambling until I remem—”

“You don’t need to tell me every secret,” the king interrupted. “What do you know about the traitor?”

“Nothing.”

“Are you sure?”

“Can someone be sure that they know nothing?”

“Yes…” the king said, a bit confused.

“Really?”

“Yes, Michael.”

“Are you sure?” he asked in retort.

“Yes! Now are you sure you know nothing about the traitor?”

“Oh, you’re right. Yes, I’m sure.”

“You may return to your…dancing or whatever one might call that.”

“Thank you!” Eden said. “I love you sire! I wish you were my father instead of my idiot real father!”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he said as he walked away.

They went back to it as if they’d never been interrupted.

I soon followed the king as he walked off. He seemed to be looking around for someone in particular. I was enthralled; I needed to know who he would question next.

He seemed to have his sights on Aliana as she spoke with a tall man elegantly dressed who somehow brought anger out of me, even though I didn’t remember how I knew him.

I had my eyes on him as the king suddenly stopped in front of me. I bumped into his back.

The king spun angrily. “Jon, why are you following me?”

“I want to hear your interrogations. Oh, and tell me something. Why didn’t you stop me from drinking the ale?”

“Let me ask you something instead. Are you having fun tonight?”

“So much.”

“There’s your answer.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “You needed this. I’m sure you wouldn’t have been able to relax as much if I’d told you what was happening and I didn’t include you. Just make sure you don’t drink anymore tonight.”

“I won’t.”

“Kataleya doesn’t seem to be in the dining hall. I need you to look for her while I question Aliana and Trevor.”

“Who is Trevor? He looks familiar.”

“Kataleya sent an invite for him. His family is very powerful.”

“Oh!” That’s right. He was the man I’d seen Kataleya with earlier. “Ohhh,” I muttered again as I realized how strange it was for him to be speaking with Aliana, smiles on their faces, the two of them leaning close. “But I want to hear what they say to your questions.”

“Jon, you’re going to have to respect their privacy.”

“Will you at least tell me if they like each other?”

“That doesn’t concern you. Just go look for Kataleya and bring her here if you find her.”

“But it does concern me.”

“Jon, go.”

“All right.”

If this man, Trevor, was here and she wasn’t, I gleefully hoped something had happened between them and she was off sulking in the apartments, in need of comfort.

I ran out of the dining hall, came out into the courtyard, and I was about to enter the apartments when it suddenly hit me.

“Whoa.”

Shame washed over me. While being completely honest, I was an ass.

I stopped to give myself time to think. Did I really wish harm on her?

No, it wasn’t that. I wanted her to be happy, but I also