Chapter 84

Chapter 84 Her plan

ASHER

“Your Majesty, I think the intruder could be the same man from the basement,” Ca ssandra explained from the far side of the room.

After the healer had announced her theory in the library, I’d asked her to speak with me privately back in my study. I didn’t want to further trouble the librarian, who was already completely on edge or give the other guards further reason to panic.

If the intruder was amongst the guards as we suspected, I also didn’t see any reason to reveal too much information to the ones present in the library. I wasn’t sure who I could trust these days, apparently, so I a*signed the ones who’d investigated the trashed room to clean up for the librarian.

So now, it was just Ca ssandra and I alone together in the study. As she explained her train of thought, I couldn’t help but admire her intelligence. Not only was she incredibly beautiful, but she was very smart, and I liked it.

Cora had been highly intelligent too. It was one of the traits I loved the most.

about her.

I forced myself to shove aside thoughts of Cora and return to the present.

“Go on,” I encouraged her.

Ca ssandra cleared her throat. “The book and the box in the library were both taken and tampered with right after we discovered all of that stuff in the basement. I think it’s too strong of a coincidence. The man might be monitoring us.”

“Interesting theory,” I murmured as I considered the idea. “So, how do you suggest we ‘lure’ him out as you suggested in the library?”

The healer’s cheeks flushed scarlet.

sitting.

“It’s just an idea,” she began, and then she walked closer to where I was sit “Since we caught the vipers and found his hidden lair, I’m sure the man is curious to know if we’ve figured out the different types of venom. I was thinking that we could exploit that curiosity. Maybe we spread the information that we did find something interesting about the venom in our research, and announce an emergency meeting for the royal healers to discuss it.”

“An emergency meeting,” I repeated back.

She nodded. “Yes. I think the idea of an emergency meeting to share our findings would be enough to get him to try to steal the results of our research.”

“So, we’re setting a trap,” I clarified. “We’re goading him out into the open.”

Ca ssandra nodded again. “Yes. It’s just an idea. I have no idea if something like that would actually work. The man could be a lot more cautious this time around. He might not fall for the bait at all. But I think it’s worth a try.”

I studied her for a moment as I mulled over the idea. It was undeniable that this plan was well-thought-out and considered. Ca ssandra was smarter and craftier than I gave her credit for. We could set the trap with little difficulty or effort and still craft a way to check up on all of the guards in the meantime.

“I think we need to keep the truth of all of this to only the guards you can trust,” she suggested. “I worry about the possibility of there being multiple imposters.”

“Do you think there’s a chance of that?” I asked.

“Yes,” she said. “I don’t see why not. I’d like to think the threat isn’t that large, but based on all of our evidence… I would rather us be overly cautious.”

I nodded.

“I think the lab needs to be reinforced,” she said. “Maybe add another guard?”

I frowned. “I don’t know. It’s already heavily guarded. I know the man who stands outside of it personally. I think he could handle it. Besides… I worry that the intruder would know better than to go straight to the lab. In fact, if I were him, I

would try to get to-”

I stopped as the realization hit me. Ca ssandra stared at me with a look of confusion until finally, her eyes widened and she understood what I was trying to

say.

“Me,” she breathed, and she took a step back. She began to pace and I felt a knot form in my stomach.

The man had already tried to take her away before. It made sense to me that it would be easier for him to try to get the answers directly from her rather than try to infiltrate a heavily guarded lab. Ca ssandra was known to be the best new healer in Merliscire. She was an easier target.

She took a long, deep breath and then turned back to face me.

“I’m willing to be the bait,” she announced, and she held her head high. “I know it’s risky… but the guards you a*signed to me are never too far away. If something were to go wrong, I know they’d be around.”

“This is asking a lot of you,” I stated slowly as I stared into her eyes. “In fact, this is highly dangerous. You know that, right?”

Ca ssandra nodded. “Yes. I know the risks, Your Majesty. But if we don’t find the intruder quickly and figure out what he’s up to… all of Wegalla could be in danger. Sorcery is nothing to make light of. We don’t know what he’s planning. You and I have seen for ourselves how lethal those vipers can be. If more were raised…. people could suffer.”

more

My thoughts felt like a storm blowing around in my mind. This was so much to consider and I didn’t know what to say about it all.

“What if I didn’t want you to take the risk?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

Ca ssandra’s full l*ps parted in surprise.

Behind her, the rays of the setting sun had started to stream in through the

window. Her copper hair was illuminated and her deep green eyes looked even darker. She was so pretty. I couldn’t imagine putting her in harm’s way like that. She was too special, too fragile. I didn’t want to see her hurt.

She approached me slowly and then offered a brave look.

“You have to let me do this,” she said gently. “You’re the king of Wegalla. You have to do what’s right for your people.”

My voice caught in my throat.

Her gentleness, her bravery… she had to be Cora. Even without testing or solid physical proof, I knew it to be true. Only Cora could be so empathetic. Only Coral would be so willing to put her own needs behind those of others.

I didn’t want to let Ca ssandra do this. I didn’t want to put her in harm’s way. But she was right. We needed to do something and we needed to do something quickly.

“Okay,” I decided, and I took a long, deep breath. “I’ll send for Lancel

immediately. If we’re going to do this, I want to make sure that he’s looking out for your safety.”

you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” she said, and she offered me a small smile. “Thank

I nodded. This was a crazy plan, but I had to trust Ca ssandra knew what she was doing. In the meantime, I would make sure that my most trusted guard would do everything in his power to make sure she didn’t get hurt.

I couldn’t lose her.