Ansel sat up in bed and looked at the light coming into the window. It was another day closer to rescuing Max and Griffa. Ansel touched his pendant and waited. There was no warming response. Ansel touched it again, and still nothing. Ansel closed his eyes and listened to his magic. He knew he would be able to feel it, if Griffa died, but she had not responded to his pendant in almost a week.

He didn’t know if she had lost it or wasn’t in a condition to respond. He wondered if maybe she had given up hope, and had stopped responding to him. Whatever it was, it made him want to go get her more than ever. He didn’t know how he had waited so long. Every day, it became harder and harder to ignore the panic he felt inside as his magic demanded his queen.

He also missed Griffa terribly. Ansel had few people he was actually close to. As he was not one to make friends easily. He didn’t mind. He liked keeping to himself. He didn’t like letting people know his secrets and weaknesses. Griffa probably knew him better than anyone in the kingdom. Even as a child she could read his mood and his thoughts better than anyone.

Ansel thought back now to all the time he had wasted denying his feelings for Griffa. He remembered their first kiss back during the spring festival before he had to collect Max. He had run from her. He had stayed away from her all through spring, summer, and most of the fall. He used his duty to Max as an excuse, but he was actually afraid to see her.

He should have known then he loved her. He had tried to deny it. He fought it, believing himself not good enough for her. He was too old and serious. His position would not be an ideal for any woman to be his wife. How could he ask Griffa to take up that position in his life? But she had loved him anyway. She had loved him and showed him that love wasn’t about finding or being the perfect person. She loved him despite his deficiencies. He loved her despite her few flaws. He had a hard time remembering her flaws at the moment, but she always assured him that she had many.

Ansel wondered now if he resisted her for so long, because of who she really was. Did his protector’s magic recognize her in some way even before she took her position as the leader of the Ring? Did it try to guard his heart before his queen could take her place? If it did, it didn’t matter. It didn’t stop him from loving her. Once Ansel realized he loved her, he knew he would never love anyone else. He still felt that way.

Ansel got up and prepared for the day. Talon would be coming to the house today to stay until they would go to Aurumist. They would plan and prepare. Kedan would teach them all about the passageway into the palace. He would go over the different places they could be keeping Max and Griffa. He would tell them the best ways to get around the palace without getting caught.

Ansel walked downstairs to eat breakfast. He sat down at the table to find Issa by herself eating some bacon and looking at a book.

“Good morning,” said Ansel sitting down. “What are you reading?”

Issa looked up and Ansel and smiled slightly. “It’s an old book on the palace in Aurumist. I found it last night in a box in the closet of the strategy room. I was seeing if it had anything useful in it.”

Ansel took a piece of toast and looked at Issa to see she looked very tired. “Did you read that book all night? Have you slept at all?”

“I did a little,” said Issa marking her book and closing it “I’ve not slept well in a while, so I might as well do something useful while I’m up.”

Ansel put some butter on his toast. He hadn’t talked much to Issa since Max and Griffa were taken. He knew she was hurting. She was very close to Max. They had known each other almost their whole lives. She had left all she knew and come here to live amongst people she didn’t know just to be close to Max.

She had been very kind to Ansel these past two months. She had fetched him tea after he was out training all day with his guards. She had shooed him to bed when he stayed up too late. She asked how he was doing almost every day. She would remind him to take care of himself. He wondered who was taking care of Issa.

He supposed Nora and Maybelle had been seeing to her. They would probably make sure she was eating and taking time to care for herself. Still, Ansel felt guilty. He had spent most of his time ignoring Issa. He had ignored the pain she was going through and focused on himself. He was ashamed of himself. He could hear Griffa’s voice in his ear, telling him to be kind.

“We are going to get Max back, Issa. I promise you. I won’t leave Aurumist without him,” said Ansel.

Issa looked at Ansel and smiled wider this time. “I know, Ansel. You will bring Griffa back as well. I miss them both.”

“I do too,” said Ansel quietly. “It won’t be long now.”

“Do you think they are alright?” asked Issa. “Do you believe they are still alive?”

“Yes,” said Ansel “I know Griffa is still alive. I would be aware if she died. They still think Max is our king. If they killed him, they would let us know.”

Issa nodded. “I’m still scared for both of them.”

Ansel sighed and ate his toast. He was as well. He worried how they were being treated. Just because they were alive, didn’t mean they were well. He imagined all sorts of horrors for them. Ansel wasn’t a optimist. He couldn’t imagine they wouldn’t endure some pain. He wouldn’t tell Issa that.

They heard a quick knock at the front door and then the sound of it opening.

“I guess that’s Talon,” said Issa. “I’m surprised he knocks at all at this point.”

Talon walked into the room and sat down next to Ansel. “Good morning Ansel, Issa,” said Talon casually. He poured himself some tea, adding a large amount of sugar.

“Good morning,” said Issa smiling at Talon. “You’re here early.”

“I know. I had no plans today, so I figured I would go ahead and come here so we could start planning as soon as possible,” said Talon drinking his tea. “Where is Kedan?”

“He’s not down yet,” said Ansel. “He usually only sleeps this late when you are here to drink with him, so I don’t know what’s keeping him.”

Ansel finished eating. Issa left the table with her book, saying she would be in the conservatory reading. As she left, Kedan came in and sat down at the table. He poured some tea and filled his plate with food. Ansel could see that his eyes looked tired.

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“Did you not sleep well?” asked Talon “You weren’t drinking without me, were you?”

“No,” said Kedan “I had trouble sleeping last night. I had a lot on my mind.”

“Like what?” asked Talon

“Why do you always have to know everything about everyone?” asked Kedan testily. “Can’t I have any secrets?”

“I’m a curious person. I ask because I care. You’ll feel better if you tell me. Now what’s wrong,” said Talon before popping a bite of toast into his mouth.

“I was thinking of my child if you must know. He should be born by now. I was wondering how he was doing, he and his mother,” said Kedan looking at Talon.

Talon gave Kedan a half smile. “I’m sorry I pried into your personal affairs.”

“No, you’re not,” said Kedan looking down at his plate.

“You’re right, I’m not, but I am sorry you are having a tough time. I’m sure your child is fine. I bet your child is a healthy boy who looks just like you,” said Talon merrily.

“I doubt I’ll ever see him,” said Kedan sadly. “I should have done more for them. I should have made Teryn come with me.”

“You can’t change the past, my friend,” said Talon sympathetically. “Don’t give up on seeing him. One day when our queen is on the throne, you will see your son. Probably your enchantress wife as well.”

Kedan ate some bacon and then propped his head on his hand. “You’re right. I can’t do anything about it now. We will all need to focus if we are going to bring your queen and friend home.”

Talon nodded as Nora and Cillian walked into the room. Nora stopped and looked around.

“Oh, I thought you would all have eaten by now.”

“Cillian,” said Talon looking up at him. “Did you arrive this morning? It’s early for a visit.”

Ansel saw Nora’s cheeks go red. Cillian shuffled slightly where he stood. Ansel looked at Talon who had a wicked smile on his face.

“Some of us were late rising, Nora. Talon showed up pretty early himself as you can see. I’m glad Cillian has joined us today,” said Ansel throwing a warning look at Talon.

“Yes, Cillian, I’m glad you could come so early to see your friend today. I think we are about done here, aren’t we?” asked Talon looking at Kedan and Ansel.

Kedan looked at Talon with his mouth full. He looked at Nora and Cillian and then swallowed. “Yes, of course. I can take my tea to the parlor.”

Ansel, Kedan, and Talon stood up and walked together to the parlor. Ansel stopped by the sofa and couldn’t help giving a little laugh.

“What?” asked Talon. “Are you actually laughing?’

“I was just thinking what Max what have said if he had been here. He would not have let that one go.”

Ansel, Talon, and Kedan spent most of the day in the parlor talking. They moved into the study to look for some books. After lunch, they went into the strategy room to look at the map.

“I wish this map could show us the interior of the palace,” said Kedan looking at the walls of the palace.

“You lived there for a long time. Don’t you know the interior pretty well?” asked Talon.

“I do, but there are hidden passageways in many different areas. I think Teryn found most of them, but she didn’t show me them all. If we could find where all the passageways are, we would have an easier time getting around the palace to find Griffa and Max,” answered Kedan.

After dinner they had a visitor. Marcus Quick came on Talon’s invitation. He walked in the parlor and looked at Ansel with worry.

“Good evening, Ansel,” said Marcus looking at him.

Ansel nodded at Marcus, giving him a cold look.

“I’m glad you agreed I could join you to help Max and Griffa. I like Max, what I know of him. You know how I feel about Griffa.”

Ansel didn’t respond. He turned slightly in his chair and looked at the fire.

“Sit down, Marcus. We are just talking about our strategy a bit,” said Talon pointing to a chair next to him.

Marcus made his way to the chair and nodded at Kedan. “I’m Marcus Quick,” he said looking at Kedan.

“I know. I’ve heard about you,” said Kedan. “You’re the one who poisoned the queen, aren’t you?”

“My father did that. He just used me. I would never intentionally hurt Griffa,” said Marcus quickly.

“You were stupid,” said Ansel looking at Marcus. “You should have known better. You almost killed her.”

“But he didn’t, Ansel. Bickering over it won’t help get Griffa back now,” said Talon. “We need Marcus to pull this off, so find a way to get along with him.”

Ansel rolled his eyes as Issa ran into the room.

“Ansel, I think I’ve found something you may want to see,” said Issa coming over to Ansel and handing him an open book.

Ansel looked down at the pages. He looked up at Issa. “Is this what I think it is?”

“Yes, and it continues on for four more pages,” said Issa excitedly.

“What is it?” asked Talon

“Issa has found a map of all the secret passages in the palace,” said Ansel smiling.

“Let me see,” said Kedan jumping up and walking over to stand next to Issa. Ansel handed Kedan the book.

“This looks like it’s correct. Here is the one I used to escape the palace,” said Kedan. He looked at the cover of the book. “This book seems very old, where did you get it?”

“Here in the manor. I believe the Keene’s brought many old books out of Aurumist when they had to evacuate after Queen Agatha was overthrown,’ said Issa as she walked over and sat on the couch.

Kedan took the book back to his chair. He continued to study it. Jonthon, one of the residents who worked in the house walked in with a message.

“This just came for you, Ansel. The bird was at the back door. It took off after I detached the message.”

Ansel got up and met Jonathon close to the parlor door. Ansel took the message, and Jonthon turned and left the room. Ansel opened the letter where he stood, and skimmed over it.

“It’s from Max,” said Ansel looking up at the group in the parlor.

“What?” asked Talon loudly. He jumped up and walked over to Ansel.

Ansel read the letter. He felt his blood run cold as he read it. He took deep breaths, reading until the end. He looked up Talon.

“What is it, Ansel?” asked Talon worriedly. Ansel handed Talon the letter as he processed what he had just read.

Talon got to the end and looked at Ansel. “Your Ring won’t agree to this. Even if they did, we wouldn’t want them representing our folk and our queen in Aurumist.”

“I wasn’t planning on telling them about this,” said Ansel. “Talon, we can’t wait any longer. We have to go.”

“Sit down for a second, Ansel. We still have a few days,” said Talon.

“Did you read it? Did you see what Max said?” asked Ansel anxiously.

“I did, but it says they won’t kill her for another week. We have a few days,” said Talon.

“Kill who?” asked Marcus.

“Griffa,” said Issa quietly. “They’re going to kill Griffa, aren’t they?”

Talon nodded. “They want representatives from the Ring to meet with them outside the fifth ring of Aurumist. They want to discuss a trade for either Max or Griffa. They also want to discuss a way to work together. If the Ring does not show up, they will execute Griffa they next day at sunrise.”

“We will have to go at least a day earlier than planned. maybe when this meeting is supposed to take place,” said Kedan. He got up and took the letter from Talon, reading it himself.

“We might need to go earlier than that. They will have Max and Griffa under heavy guard the day of the meeting,” said Talon.

“We need to go right now,” said Ansel. “Did you read the first part of the letter?”

“Yes, it’s says they are alive and well,” said Talon.

“No,” said Ansel, “look again. It’s says Max is alive and well. Max only wrote that Griffa is alive. He underlined the word alive. Max wouldn’t omit that Griffa was well unless she wasn’t.”

“You don’t know that, Ansel,” said Talon emphatically. “He was writing this under pressure. It probably doesn’t mean anything.”

“Max is extremely clever and careful. He would not do that on purpose, and he certainly wouldn’t underline alive unless it meant something.”

Issa walked over and took the letter from Kedan. She read it quickly. “I think Ansel is right. This is something Max would do on purpose to prove a point. Griffa is alive, but she is not well.”

Talon blew out a puff of air. “We should prepare tomorrow and leave the next day. I know it will be hard to wait, Ansel, but we are only going to get one chance to do this right.”

Ansel didn’t want to wait another second. The thought of Griffa being hurt or worse was unbearable, but Talon had a good point. If they really wanted to help Griffa, they would have to have a good plan that would work.

“Fine, we leave the day after tomorrow, but I will not wait one more day.”