“I'm fine, my lady,” Wilhelm assured her. “And I haven't forgotten my gratitude to you.”
“And you shouldn't!” Chika agreed. “I brought you back to life, after all. You should be indebted to me until the day you die!”
When Esha grumbled at his sister's reply, she assured him it was only a joke.
A moment later, King Larien entered the sitting room. Vala immediately faced the wall and feigned interest in the portraits that decorated it.
“Kylin! Wilhelm! Vala.” Larien muttered the final name with significantly less enthusiasm. “How wonderful to see you all again! Preparations for the wedding are well underway, but I will, of course, have to get the bride and groom's opinion. If something doesn't meet your standards, like the cake or the flowers, it can be fixed before tomorrow.”
“I'm sure we'll approve of anything,” Kylin said. “You were kind enough to do this for us. Why would we ever complain?”
“You're the reason I'm no longer Silenced. Perfection is the least I can offer.” Larien sat on the sofa, as far from Vala as he could get, and sent one of the servants for refreshments. “Speaking of the Unsilencing, I have a large favor to ask of you. Or... it might be more accurate to call it a job, I suppose.”
Kylin nibbled her lip, because Esha was staring at her, and nothing made her more nervous. “You have a job... for me?” she asked.
“Indeed. Because no one can do what you do,” Larien said. “When I was Silenced, I realized what a terrible, inhumane, heartless punishment it is, and something must be done about it. As of last week, I outlawed all Silencings.”
“That's fantastic!” Kylin cried. “To be honest, I always thought it was a barbarous way to treat someone. The Silenced are mindless slaves. I feel terrible for them.”
Larien's servants shuffled into the room with plates of biscuits and sweets. Some were stacked so high, Wilhelm had to stifle a chuckle.
“As do I,” Larien said. “I would like to reverse the process on every Silenced citizen, and as far as I know, you are the only one who can do that.”
Kylin was so shocked, she nearly dropped her lemon tart. “You want me to... Unsilence the Silenced?”
Larien nodded firmly. “Yes. All of them. If you agree to help me, I want every man, woman and child to be freed from this curse. You will be paid five gold for each Unsilencing you perform, and I will also send a company of knights with you. Should you run into any trouble on this quest, it will be their duty to protect you.”
Kylin had yet to grasp the concept of human money, so she looked to Wilhelm for guidance. He gave her an approving nod.
“If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them,” Larien said.
“How many Silenced exist in your country?” Kylin asked.
“Over three thousand.”
Vala almost choked when she heard Larien's answer. She had to intervene before the girl made her decision. Leaning closer to Kylin, she whispered, “That is a lot of money, love. With that kind of money, Wilhelm could quit his job... and I know you hate his job.”
Kylin was about to give her answer, when Larien spoke up, “Transportation will be provided, as you will need to visit several cities. You're welcome to travel on Wilhelm's ship, but several guards will be joining you on this mission, so additional vessels will be needed.”
“Wilhelm and Vala's ship,” Vala muttered to herself. “Arsehole.”
“Also,” Larien continued, “I would like you to take Esha with you, so he can report on your progress. Also... and this goes without saying... all of this would take place after your wedding. I wouldn't want anything to distract you from your happy day.”
As Kylin deliberated, Vala finally forced herself to look at Larien. She wanted him to see the scowl on her face, but his eyes never moved from Kylin.
“I think... if Vala and Wilhelm would be willing to go with me... I would like to try,” Kylin decided. “However, I'm not sure I can do it. I've only Unsilenced two people. I can't guarantee I can do it again.”
“You can do it. Have some faith in yourself!” Larien said. “Trust me, a Silencing is worse than death. You'll be saving a lot of lives.”
As soon as he had an answer from Kylin, Larien finished his tea and biscuit and excused himself. Kylin wondered if he wanted to get away from Vala. The tension between them was clear.
Shortly after Larien left, the others filtered out of the room. On the way out, Esha caught Kylin's arm and brought his mouth to her ear.
“Do you ever wonder,” he whispered, “if you might be making a mistake? Do you ever wonder if you should be with your Chosen?”
Kylin shook her head with such firm certainty, she made him sigh.
“Very well,” Esha said. “A part of me will always wonder, but... nevertheless, I wish you the best.”
Also by Aron Lewes
Cinderella & Dragons
After Cinderella
Sleeping Beauty Is Just Not That Into You
The Wicked Witch's Prince
First Contact
Little Alien on the Prairie
My Lady Robin Hood
Lady of Locksley
A Sheriff's Redemption
The Lion Returns
Spirit School
School for Spirits: A Dead Girl and a Samurai
School for Spirits: Final Test
School for Spirits: Rebel Archangel
School For Spirits: Angel of Death
School For Spirits: Archangel Undercover
School for Spirits: Almost an Archangel
School for Spirits: Earth Angel (Coming Soon)
The Black Knight Chronicles
The Darkest Knight
The Laziest Mage
The Bloodiest Daughter
The Darker Ages
The Darker Ages
The Darker Ages 2: Rebirth
The Darker Ages 3: Retribution
The Fox and the Assassin
Vixen's Chosen
Vixen's Magic
Vixen's Challenge
Standalone
Cinderella & Dragons
The Darker Ages: The Complete Series
Aurora Abroad
The Black Knight Chronicles: The Complete Series
Machine Girl
The Ghost of Redemption (A School for Spirits Story) (Coming Soon)