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I sensed a rush of power, and then Lorcan burst through the throne room entrance. I narrowed my eyes, curious as to the cause of his urgency.
He released a sigh when he saw me. “I’m so glad to have found you, your majesty.”
“Is there anywhere else for me to be at this particular time of day?”
He gave me an odd look. “No, I only meant—”
The power I’d felt grew stronger. I raised a brow at him, my eyes trained on his cupped hands.
“Never mind,” I said. “What do you have there?”
“Your wrist cuff. The Perlnaut I’d given it to was so weak—” Lorcan dropped his head. “He lasted a while longer, but in the end it was too late.”
“So, you are bringing me news that another Perlnaut has been found dead?”
Lorcan nodded.
I motioned for him to approach the throne, and then waved him closer to me. He frowned when I held open my hands.
“Do you wish to have this piece returned to you, or shall I seek out another member of the kingdom who is in need?”
My lips fell into a deep frown. I would need to ask Kai about this. Why would he have given up his wrist cuff? Why would he have ordered Lorcan to give it to a dying Perlnaut when, in the state the kingdom was in, the Perlnauts would die off anyway?
I sat up straighter. I wanted to tell Lorcan that the loss meant more energy for those of us who remained, but I stopped myself short. Explaining such a thing to Perlnauts who’d been ruled by Kai would likely raise suspicion. I was now even more certain that I’d done the right thing. Kai was a weak ruler, and his weakness was spreading to those he ruled.
“I wish to keep the wrist cuff, for now,” I said.
Though his reluctance was evident, Lorcan dropped the piece in my hand. Its energy and power spread across my palm. Without thinking, I closed my eyes, drawing the power within me, absorbing it through my skin.
I slipped the cuff over my opposite wrist. “Thank you,” I said. “Should I wish to give the piece to another member of the kingdom, you will be the first to know.”
He nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response.
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about this matter,” he said.
I waved him away. “Another time.”