The Traitor by A. Lombardo (i can read with my eyes shut TXT) 📕

Aaron. Not me, of course. He is her favorite. She says I look more and more like father every day. My brown eyes and darkening hair, I guess.”

“Seth, Nola loves all her children.” Kai tried to reassure him, but Seth wasn’t wrong. She did tend to fawn over Aaron; the green-eyed boy version of herself.

Knock, knock, knock.

The door opened. “Prince Kai.” Kendra strolled in carrying a tray of food and wine. The guard closed the door behind her. She placed the tray on the table and embraced him tightly. “You made it.” She pressed her hand against his chest and touched the crystal hidden under his shirt. “Safe and sound I see. And feeling stronger, no doubt.” She gave him a wink.

He understood her double meaning. “It was a challenging trip,” he said, playing along, “but thankfully Rayna and I both made it.” He gave her a telling nod. “I am sorry we arrived so abruptly. I had hoped to be here under different circumstances. I deviated from the path, I’m afraid.” He hoped she would get news to Sabastian, but he could not say more in front of Seth.

A guard pushed open the door, and Queen Nola entered. “Seth. There you are. Come, my son, it is rather late. Off to bed with you.” She shooed Seth from the room.

Seth nodded to his mother, but he gave Kai a desperate look. “I am so happy you are home, Kai. Goodnight.” His shoulders slumped as he glanced at the guards.

“Goodnight, little brother,” Kai offered, avoiding Nola’s glare. “I am happy to be here, as well. I will see you in the morning.”

The room went deathly silent. Nola hovered in the doorway for many moments before finally stepping inside. Kai watched her every move as she fingered the flowers on the tray and then poured a glass of wine.

“You’ve had us quite worried gallivanting through the mountains,” she said, masking the barbs in her voice with what seemed like affection. “We cannot trust these mountain people who squat on our land and refuse to pay our taxes. Given your father’s precarious condition, I suggested we send troops to search for you and bring you home. At first, Cazier convinced the council there was no need. But in the end, everyone saw reason. It is good my men found you, saved you. And now here you stand, safe and sound.”

The squeals of a little girl echoed down the hallway; Kai smiled at the thought of seeing his little sister, Cordelia. Kai nodded to Nola. “My father. I would like to see him, if I may.”

“Not now, Kai. It is much too late.” Nola rushed to the door. “Maybe in the morning if he is up for visitors. We should talk, you and I, after the festival. About your future. About the future of Diu, and your true place in it.”

She started to leave, but at the door, the cutest little girl appeared, dressed in a pink gown and a smile that could melt the coldest of hearts.

Kai waved at his half-sister—he marveled at how much she had changed. He knelt to greet her. “Little Cordelia!”

His sister giggled, but Nola caught her arm and spun her around. “It is late, my princess, time for bed.” Mother and daughter departed.

Kendra closed the door and rushed to his side. “I have so much to ask and even more to tell! Haygan tells me your crystal remained white. Is it true?”

He nodded in acknowledgment and pulled the stone free from his shirt. “Haygan is a father now. Simone had a daughter.”

She marveled at the white crystal. “Did Haygan make it home in time?”

Kai shook his head in remembrance. “Only just. A moment later, and Haygan would have missed the entire birth. Her name is Nevaeh.”

“What a beautiful name.” Kendra leaned against the bedpost, looking tired and worry-worn. “You need to be careful of her. Queen Nola has become a powerful woman in your absence. The king is barely a figurehead. Iver is bedridden, and Nola makes changes and not all good ones. Men, those most loyal to your father, have been dismissed, replaced by these new guards, men loyal to the Regent. The Queen’s decision to bring Milnos into a position of power over Diu makes no sense to me. Iver still lives, and her relationship with the Regent feels wrong, but any who question, or gossip go missing. Between Nola and these men, they foster gossip about your disloyalty.” Then she changed tacks. “You’ve heard of Landon’s escape?”

“I have. Was Landon’s escape Nola’s doing?” he asked.

“I cannot be sure. A few weeks prior, Regent Maxwell came for a visit. Landon coincidently escaped the same day Maxwell departed.”

“Nola is the illegitimate daughter of the late King Bannon Penier of Milnos,” Kai admitted. “Landon is a Penier—they are brother and sister. I am sure Nola enlightened him before she helped him escape our dungeons.”

“Really?” Kendra covered her mouth. “Daughter to King Bannon.” Her expression turned to real concern.

Kai looked out his balcony doors. “Has anyone heard from Riome?”

“Riome? No. I cannot say I have heard anything.” Kendra’s brow knit together. “Why?”

“She was missing—lost at sea. I do not have all the specifics, but she was posing as a cabin boy on my father’s ship. Riome hoped to discover the hold Nola has on my father. Undo the spell. And discover who else might be involved in her conspiracy. I had a vision she was trying to return to Diu, but her wounds and soldiers on the road forced her to hide out in a cabin. I do not know where. Sabastian searches for her.” He looked at Kendra, puzzled she had not heard this news. “I informed Sabastian almost two days ago. How do you not know?”

Kendra’s eyes fell. “I have not seen my husband in weeks. I am forbidden