Page 58 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
She swiveled on the chair to face him and then stood. “Children are being sacrificed. Anyone who comes here with magic is killed. It’s bad enough that other cities run those with magic out. Those people will be pushed to the breaking point, and a lot more will die. I turned a blind eye to all of it for too long. I told myself there was nothing I could do. That it didn’t concern me. I’m ashamed that I haven’t done more, but I can now.”
“There are ways you can help without putting yourself in danger.”
Nia wanted to reach for him. She had always stood on her own. Now, all she wanted was to have Shaw’s arms around her. It must be because he could actually protect her. “You and Merrill were sent to gather information without letting anyone know who you are so a war won’t be started.”
“Aye,” Shaw said as his brow furrowed deeply.
“We’re being watched. I’ve lived like this for long enough that I have ways of hiding myself for short periods.”
Merrill sat up and said, “That will bring attention to you.”
“I already have that attention.” She glanced at Merrill before returning her focus to Shaw. “Fate brought us together. I’ve spent most of my life thinking of only myself. I’ve had my eyes opened. I see the big picture. You do, too, or you wouldn’t be here. You know I’m right.”
“It was Fate.” Shaw took her hand and rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. “We’re going to come up with a way that doesna put you in danger. I’ll no’ discuss this further.”
It was pointless to argue. Nia knew Stonemore better than Shaw or Merrill. She alone knew what dangers awaited, especially at the citadel. And she accepted each and every one, because she saw her purpose for the first time in her life. She had sat by and done nothing for too long. It was her time to make a difference.
Merrill cleared his throat and rubbed his hands on his thighs. “Well. That was certainly eye-opening.”
Shaw shot him a dark look.
Nia wondered if they were conversing mentally. What she wouldn’t do to hear what was being said.
Finally, Merrill held up his hands as if in surrender. “Fine,” he snapped to Shaw. “You’re being cranky.”
“I’m no’,” Shaw replied gruffly.
Merrill turned his blue eyes to her. “What’s your plan?”
“We go to my villa,” she said as she looked to Shaw. “It’ll be easier access for me there while I impart everything I know about the city, the priests, and the soldiers.”
Shaw’s face hardened. “What are you planning?”
“Depends on what you need.”
“Everything,” Merrill said.
Nia looked between the two men. “You mean the Divine.”
“Aye,” Merrill said.
A muscle jumped in Shaw’s jaw. “She’s never met him. We can no’ expect her to walk in and talk to him.”
“The Divine doesn’t see anyone,” she answered. “Even if I wanted to, it wouldn’t happen.”
“That’s no’ true.” Merrill smiled as he got to his feet.
Shaw’s face relaxed as he nodded. “That’s right. He wants one of us brought to him.”
That was the one thing she wouldn’t do. Nia didn’t know what the Divine had planned, but whatever it was, it couldn’t be good. Otherwise, the Divine would’ve invited the Kings to the citadel instead of sending her to seduce one of them.
“You can no’ go to the citadel anytime soon,” Merrill cautioned. “It has to look as if the two of you have fallen in love.”
Shaw shrugged as he swung his gaze to Nia and grinned. “It isna a hardship being together. We’ll spend time at Nia’s estate. We’ll make sure those watching see what is needed.”
“I’ll remain in the lower levels, watching things on this end.” Merrill nodded slowly. “It’s a sound plan.”
Nia smiled, even though her blood had turned to ice. The Kings knew magic. They knew how to fight Fae and other magical beings. But they knew nothing of the treachery within the Divine’s court. She did. The humans ruling the cities on Zora were beyond cruel. They needed to be stopped from attacking and killing those with magic. That’s where the Kings came in.
She saw her path now. She knew what she had to do, and she would do it willingly.
