Page 89 of The Crown’s Temptation

"I thought you were trapped here."

"Yes." He said it without apology. "The lie served its purpose. But now you are here, and the first part of my promise to your mother is fulfilled.” He moved to the table. "I am leaving Harxin in charge of the castle. He is a creature of considerable loyalty and answers to me and to no one else. You will be safe."

"And Teorin?"

"He is with a healer now. He has not fed properly for most of his life and the marrow donation made it considerably worse. He will regain his physical strength quickly with treatment. His mind will take longer." A pause. "Until then he cannot be trusted. You understand what I am telling you."

I understood exactly what he was telling me.

"And if Sevrin returns?"

Axar shrugged. "Then he takes the castle back. That is his right and I have no quarrel with it."

"And if Teorin decides he wants control of the castle?"

"Teorin is not equipped to do so. Harxin answers to me."

"Where are you going?"

“Alarna first. Then Veynar.” He paused. "I saw much in the Witchward. Not everything. I still do not know why Edrin was sent to kill you. But I suspect Alarna had something to do with it."

"That makes no sense."

"That is where you are wrong." He held my eyes. "And that is exactly why I am going."

He handed me a satchel. “These are the rest of the memory stones, and some things your mother wanted you to have.” He paused. “The stones have been warmed by the witches of the Witchward, but once used you cannot visit them again.”

I nodded.

Someone knocked at the door.

A woman with wings. A creature some sort.

“Majesty,” she bowed. “It is time for us to leave.”

“Thank you, Ivernet,” Axar said without looking at her. He looked up at me. “Trust no one,” he said.

He moved to the door.

He left the way I suspected he did everything. Without explanation and without looking back.

I sat alone in the memory chamber after the door closed. Then I got up and walked back to my chambers.

Now that I had my memories back, I felt strange.

I knew something was wrong before I reached the door.

The rubies were gone. It had not mattered before. But now that I remembered that night, I remembered placing them on my face before dinner. Where had they gone since then? After using the memory stones it suddenly felt more important than it ever had before.

I was moving before I had decided to move. I rang the servant’s bell in my chambers. I had never used it before.

Fiersa walked in, the expression on her face one of surprise. “Where are the clothes I arrived in?"

Fiersa frowned. "My lady⁠—"

"The clothes. Where are they?" My voice was raised.

The door opened.