ZURI

The witch’s chamber smelled of burnt sage and crushed petals. I burst through the door with Denny right behind me, the heavy folds of my cloak dragging dust across the floor.

The old witch’s eyes flashed at our sudden entrance.

“Your Majesty,” she said sharply, though with respect, “you don’t barge into a sanctum unannounced.”

“I don’t have time for courtesies,” I snapped. “We need to talk about something urgent. It’s about Kai, Tyr’s right-hand man.”

At ...