it. For a shiny rock that allegedly held enough godlike powers to shake the world, it hadnât proven all that useful yet. But it wasnât meant for him, it was promised to another. âGalyn, did Nerissa say anything else? Anything . . . about the princess? Has she been found?â
Galyn shook his head. âNo. Princess Cleionaâs still missing, along with Prince Magnus. There is a rumor going through the village, though, that Princess Lucia ran off and eloped with her tutor. Perhaps theyâre all together somewhere.â
âForget the princess,â Lys said, the sharp edge returned to her voice. âWhat does it matter if sheâs alive or dead?â
Jonas clenched his jaw. âShe was counting on me to bring her the crystal. She trusted me.â
Lys groaned. âI have absolutely no time to listen to this. I need to be on my way.â She picked up her gear. âGo back to bed, Jonas. Heal. We can deal with your golden princessâs whereabouts later.â
âWait.â
âWhat? We canât ignore this chance to put an end to the King of Blood. Are you really going to try to stop me?â
He regarded her for a moment in silence. âNo. Iâm coming with you.â
She frowned and brought her concerned gaze down to his wound.
âI can manage,â Jonas said. âYouâre not talking me out of this.â
He was ready for her to put up a fightâa fight he knew he probably wasnât strong enough for. All he could do was try to look as strong and determined as possible.
Finally, instead of resisting, she merely sighed with resignation. âFine. But thereâs no way you can go anywhere looking like
that
.â
âLike what? Do I look that sick?â
âNo, itâs just . . .â She glanced at Galyn.
âEveryone knows who you are,â Galyn said, gesturing at Jonas with both hands. âYour face is famous around here, remember?â
Of course. The posters plastered all around Mytica, offering a handsome reward for the capture of Jonas Agallon, rebel leader and (falsely accused) murderer of Queen Althea Damora, had ensured that. Heâd been recognized several times in recent weeks, especially in Auranos.
âFine. I need a disguise,â he said, raising a brow at Lysandra. âBut so do you. A huge audience got a nice, long glimpse of you at your interrupted execution.â
She dropped her gear again. âYou may be right.â
Jonas touched his dark brown hair, long enough to curl around his ears and drop down in front of his eyes if he didnât constantly push it back. âIâll cut my hair.â
âThatâs a start,â Galyn said. âAnd youâre in luck. I have an eyepatch you can use. Got stung by a needle-bug a few years ago and had to wear it for a month.â
An eye patch? He tried not to grimace at the thought of losing half his vision, even temporarily. âYeah . . . that sounds, uh, great. I guess. Thanks.â
Lysandra pulled a dagger out of her canvas bag. âIâll cut your hair as soon as Iâve done my own.â
She raised the blade to one of her long, curly locks, but Jonas caught her hand. âYouâre not cutting your hair.â
She frowned as he quickly disarmed her. âAnd why not?â
He couldnât help but grin. âBecause I like your hair exactly as it is. Gorgeous and impossible to control, just like you.â
Her hands were on her hips, and he could tell she was fighting a smile. âThen what kind of a disguise do you suggest for me?â
His smile grew. âSimple. A gown.â
Lysandraâs eyes widened. âA
gown
?â
âA pretty one. Silk, if possible. Galyn? Do you have anything lying around here that a guest might have left behind?â
The innkeeper chuckled. âActually, I think I have one of my motherâs old gowns around here
Janwillem van de Wetering