Chapter 169: Pursuing a plan.
He shrugged. "I didn’t do this to myself," the King said evenly. "I met your Fae grandfather. He demanded punishment, and I accepted it. Sunkiath healed most of the wounds, I kept this one. I wanted to see how pleased my court would be at the sight of my blood. Their faces brightened when they saw I could bleed."
Kai stiffened. He had always assumed his uncle would kill this human on sight. He was generous, since when? The Fae is cruel when it comes to humans. Particularly nobles.
"He just whipped you?" His disbelief rang clear.
"For now, yes. At least he listened to me... and allowed me to return. But something struck me as I crossed the Monster Sea on my way back."
Ren lowered her hand. The soft hum of her magic faded, and Sunkiath let out a deep, satisfied exhale before slipping into sleep. He had likely flown farther than any of them realized.
"Did you pass by Saint Witch Island?" Kai asked, his voice serene.
The King shook his head. "I’d never risk Sunkiath’s life with those sea giants prowling that stretch. But I did see three ships, the same ones reported lost to the Monster Sea."
Kai and Ren exchanged a look, their unspoken thoughts hanging heavy between them. The questions in the dining hall were already fishy.
"Those ships belonged to Karon Kalia, and Chancellor Oka personally loaded them with goods. Tell me, how did those ships manage to cross those treacherous waters, heading toward that cursed island without being torn apart or destroyed by monsters? What force is powerful enough to tame those sea beasts?"