Aglaesha tucked the book under her arm and went to search for Conlaed. She was determined to show him what she had found. The log was sure to give them answers to whatever was happening in Maidora. It had to. Stolen kings, voices in the dark, a Guardian with dark intentions, Wraiths - it all meant something. Aglaesha was sure the log would give them some indication of what was at work within the castle walls. Magic was there and she feared it was not that of the greater good.
She hurried down the halls, charging toward Danae's sector - she knew Con had been taken there. She intended to show him the enormous book as soon as possible. If he had already left for the castle, she would question Danae. The Mistress of Mages knew something about the prince's condition that she was not telling. The glance between she and Hanrick had not been difficult to miss. If they were somehow working together... Conlaed could be in terrible danger. The thought of her fiancé falling into the hands of the Isle's most powerful Mage was sickening. Aglaesha had never heard of Madame Danae involving herself in plots of the royal court, but lately she had learnt that one could never know where someone's loyalties truly lay. It was entirely possible that the leader of the Coven had joined forces with Hanrick to restrain his new son.
Con was more powerful than he knew. Aglaesha had always known that. He had something that made him stand out. It was not his crown or his lovely face, but something deeper. It was a force that surrounded him, flowed in his blood. A blazing fire, a brilliant firework waiting to be loosed. Conlaed was a true king. He could fight in ways other than sparring. He was raised to be a good person and king for his people. Con's honour could not be tainted - it was crafted of polished gold that would never tarnish. She hated to admit it, but his father's death or disappearance had helped him grow. He had reason now. Conlaed would no longer do things for glory, but for a purpose. An honest and smart purpose. Perhaps it was why he seemed so torn - his old self that craved glory and praised chivalry contended with his new solemn identity. He was at war with himself. Maybe it was why she was so angry with him. He'd grown into something more without her.
"Stop running!" Yaslin called behind. "He will be there or the castle - don't waste your energy!"
Aglaesha chuckled and yelled back, "If Zoysia were here she would be ahead of us both by now!"
Indeed, Zoysia had taken her leave of them as soon as Aglaesha decided she would search for Con. The shifter did not say where she was going, but they all knew she was visiting Brilyn. Poor Bri. Aglaesha had almost forgotten about him. Brilyn, who she discovered had been locked in a tower only that dreary morning. Brilyn, who was still recovering from terrible inflictions. Brilyn, who they had all forgotten in a moment of haste. How easily we let our dear friend slip from our minds. Are we truly that horrid at being friends?
Still, Aglaesha knew Brilyn was terribly strong. He would hold on until they rescued him, surely? She reflected bitterly on Conlaed's plan. They could not wait until he killed Hanrick to free Bri. It wasn't fair. Who knew what pains he could be going through! If they waited too long, she dreaded to imagine what would become of their friend. She considered using magic to save him, but there always loomed the threat of the Coven being attacked for the aggressive use of magic against their own. Aglaesha would not bear the guilt of Mages dying because of her impatience. Besides, if the Guardian had imprisoned him, who knew what type of spells were trapping him within the tower?
She felt a rush of adrenaline run through her when they turned the corner to the hall leading to the Mistress's sector. Aglaesha turned her head as she ran and laughed at Yaslin, "Soon we'll all have some answers - "
Something slammed into her. The Mage gasped as she collapsed to the ground. All the breath had been knocked from her lungs. She shoved the oaf off her, scowling.
"Watch where you are- Con!"
Conlaed groaned, muttering apologies. Aglaesha clasped his face in her hands, frowning. Red tears were streaming from his eyes. Blood. The prince was pasty, and his eyes were full of rage and fright. Aglaesha rose to her feet and pulled him up with her. She squeezed his hand. He shook his head at her and Yaslin, who was putting a comforting arm around the prince's shoulders. "Con?"
"We have to go," he growled, shaking his head angrily. "Now."
More scarlet tears fell from his eyes. Yaslin rubbed one away and stared at it intently. His gold eyes narrowed. "This is magic."
Aglaesha snapped her gaze to the prince's distressed face. "What happened? Con?"
"Conlaed! Please! I can explain!"
The two Mages exchanged worried glances as they spotted Hanrick running toward them, eyes spilling regular tears. His face melted into hopefulness as he saw his nephew with Aglaesha, and he staggered toward them desperately. She cupped her prince's cheek, forced him to completely meet her eyes. "What is he talking about, Conlaed?"
He shook his head gravely. "I can't... I need to go."
Conlaed's voice was so fragile. It quivered and broke like thin glass. Blood was falling heavily now. Aglaesha wiped the bloody tears away desperately, panic rising.
"What are you talking about, Con?" Yaslin asked softly. The prince let out a strangled sob, before crying, "I NEED TO GET AWAY FROM HIM!"
One of the prince's trembling hands pointed to where Hanrick now stood a mere few feet away. The King's head was hung miserably. His shoulders were slumped like an old man's and his lip was quivering. Aglaesha took Con's hand gingerly and began to lead him away from the downcast King.
What has he done to my Con?
***
She and Yaslin managed to get Conlaed back to the castle without much trouble. She let Yaslin lead her betrothed forward as she gazed forlornly up at the West tower. She imagined Brilyn inside, cold and alone. Rain still poured down heavily, and it seemed it would not cease anytime soon. She sighed and followed them to the west wing of the palace. Con was trembling the whole way, eyes wide and haunted. Sobs burst out of him and he leaned most of his weight on Yaslin.
It was a relief when they finally made it to his chambers. Jules had been sweeping the bed chamber when they burst in, Conlaed now in hysterics. The servant dropped his broom and ran to their aid. They tried to heave the prince to his bed, but after three steps he collapsed on the floor miserably. Blood coated both his cheeks and had begun to trickle down his neck. Aglaesha tried to calm him, urge him to at least lay upon his bed. The prince flat out refused. His answer to her pleads was to double over and cough up thick globs of blood. Yaslin tried a sleeping incantation on Con, but it was too weak to do much.
The Mages stared at each other wearily as Conlaed curled in on himself, screaming something indecipherable. All Aglaesha could do was stroke his back reassuringly, hold him. Her heart twisted with extreme anxiety as he rocked back and forth, the bloody tears not ceasing. Loud broken cries escaped his lips as he shrieked, and shivers ran down his spine in horrible waves. There is nothing I can do for him. She kissed his hair, tried to coax him into talking with her. He didn't budge. She doubted Brilyn could have done anything if he had been with them. Her prince rocked back and forth, blood cascading down his face.
"Con," Aglaesha begged, "Speak to me. Please."
All his symptoms pointed to being in the midst of a strong enchantment for far too long. Non - Mage enchantment. She suspected a Fey was involved, although she could not remember him being so distressed after the creature's visitations previously.
"Con, please I -"
"IT'S HIM! IT'S HANRICK!" he screamed, looking up at her, crying bitterly. Aglaesha watched him painfully, wiped the red tears forming in his eyes. "What do you mean?"
The prince shook his head, gasping. Yaslin moved to the prince's other side and placed a hand on his back soothingly. "Whatever it is, it doesn't change anything."
Conlaed laughed manically. "Doesn't it?"
Aglaesha cupped his cheek. "Speak to us, Con."
The prince stared at her, full of despair. His voice was broken glass as he rasped, "I am fighting to free my uncle, Algaesha. It changes everything."
"What do you mean?"
"Hanrick," Conlaed spat, "is not my uncle. He... he is my father. Flesh and blood father."
"How?" Jules exclaimed. Aglaesha had almost forgotten about the servant. The prince trembled as he whispered, "Queen Tenna lied to my father. She and Hanrick conceived me. I am not the rightful heir and Maxum is but an uncle."