Page 71 of To Save a Kingdom

Zadé leaned forward, her eyes round like they were two schoolgirls sharing the latest gossip. “What?” Folding the bag away, she tucked it into one of her pockets.

Aliya shook her head. “Brooks infiltrated the castle! He took a bunch of elves hostage, including Elessan’s mother. They’re barricaded in the library along with the nobles who are loyal to Malkov.” She ached to confide in the other woman how Roland had cornered her into marrying him, but she had no doubt that would trigger a Zadé-style lecture, possibly with copious amounts of drinking, and now wasn’t the time.

“Huh.” Zadé chewed on the inside of her cheek for several maddening seconds as she processed the information. Aliya was about to explode by the time the general spoke. “Suppose that saves yeh th’ task o’ discoverin’ who the traitors are, yeah? Yeh just need ta kill all th’ ones in th’ library with ‘im.” Her eyebrows furrowed. “While somehow not killin’ the hostages.”

“Maybe,” Aliya hissed, “but you’re missing the point! He has the Whisperers and could use them at any time!”

Zadé crossed her arms. “Which yer obviously worried about, what with yer not wearing ear plugs, ‘n all.”

Aliya rolled her eyes in exasperation. “I’m not using them so I can hear people trying to sneak up on me! It’s a safety issue.”

Zadé pinned her with a scorching glare that was usually employed by teachers scolding a misbehaving pupil. “Princess, yeh should be wearin’ ‘em. If’n you die, the human kingdom falls into a power vacuum.”

By the mages! Why were everyone’s priorities on her when Brooks was what mattered? Besides, with the new marriage contract, Roland would no doubt find a way to claim the realm if she passed away prior to the wedding day. Despite the fact that she hadn’t even been formally crowned yet. “That’s not important right now! We need to figure out how to save Elessan’s mother, and all the other hostages, before Brooks makes his move.”

Zadé crossed her arms and leaned her weight into one hip. “I’d say he already did, wouldn’t cha? What with the invadin’ the castle, ‘n all.”

“His next move then, whatever.” Aliya glanced down the hall. “I’m trying to get close enough to see if there’s a way we can cause a distraction or something, to get them out.”

A familiar voice by Aliya’s ankle spoke up. “There’s only one way in and out of the library.” Shadow curled around Aliya’s leg, looking for all the world like a typical pet asking for attention.

“Holy houses!” Zadé jumped several paces back as she pointed one finger at the furry interloper. “The cat! It talks!”

Aliya sighed. “Zadé, meet Shadow.” She glanced down to the quicksilver eyes surrounded by soft black fur. “Aunt, Zadé Brightleaf, high general of the elven army.”

“Iz just Zadé, none o’ that ‘General’ crap.” She crouched down, studying Shadow. “So, yer a shapeshifter, too?”

The feline sent Zadé a glare of condescending boredom before turning her focus back to Aliya. “The library is sealed. The only way in is through the front door, which is under heavy guard.”

“Do you know how many soldiers and nobles are on his side?” Aliya asked.

The animal nodded, the too-human gesture disconcerting. “Most of your council, I’m afraid. I didn’t see Alinac, though judging from the fate of Lord Macherall, I don’t know if I would consider that fortunate for him or us.”

Aliya pressed her lips into a thin line. Her aunt was feeling the same way about Macherall’s murder as she was. “And the guards?"

Shadow shrugged. “Twenty or thirty. That’s a lot for the three of us to overpower, but if we could figure out a way to knock them all out or draw them away, we may be able to get past the nobles and free the hostages.”

“And the number of prisoners?” Zadé asked, her eyes bright with the challenge of a daring rescue.

“Ten,” Shadow said. “Most of them are rumpled, like Brooks’ people dragged them from their beds, but no one’s been harmed.” She paused. “Yet.”

If Aliya had her way, they’d remain undamaged.

Zadé turned her attention to Aliya. “Where’s Elsan? I’d ‘a thought he’d not letcha go anywhere alone, what with the castle under siege ‘n all?”

Aliya shook her head. “He stayed behind to convince Roland to help us free the hostages.” That had been several hours ago, and she hadn’t seen Elessan since.

Zadé barked a laugh. “Roland wanted ta turn tail ‘n run, did he?”

Clenching her jaw, Aliya nodded. “The bastard is a coward.” One who would soon be her husband and king consort. She bit back a sigh. The nobles would no doubt love that when they made the announcement.

“Well, yeah,” Zadé said, oblivious to where her thoughts had wandered, “but he’s prioritizing th’ safety o’ his guards n’ fightin’ men. Brooks has th’ Whisperers ‘n could release ‘em at any time. And there’s no sayin’ what modifications he’s been able ta make to ‘em since he stole ‘em.”

Aliya sighed. It had only been two days. But that time, with the help of a Master Artificer, was more than enough time to make them even deadlier.

“You think ear plugs won’t work anymore?”

Zadé shrugged. “Dunno. Maybe. He also could’a changed ‘em ta only affect elves, or mages, or both. Difficult ta say until we find out th’ hard way.”