The Stone Eater (The Magic Eaters Trilogy Book 3)

by Carol Beth Anderson

  “We’ve heard they all ate the rolls at the same time,” T said. “The officers set it up as a symbolic moment. A single soldier can make the nation stronger, just like a single bite of bread makes a person stronger, or something along those lines. They ate the bread, and most of them immediately got sick.”

  Cold suspicion sent a chill across Krey’s body. “Did the soldier who told you about this mention what the poison looked like?”

  “It was glossy and navy blue, and the baker only put one miniscule piece in each roll. She used tweezers to be precise. Anyarian brain matter is the only poison we know of that fits such a description, but it’s said to be fatal at any dose.”

  All at once, Krey could smell the dark fuel—not in the room, but in his memory. His mouth watered, even as nausea invaded his gut. Ulmin had discovered a nontoxic amount of brain matter. He was looking for brain eaters. Krey swallowed to keep from puking, then spoke in a low voice. “You said most of them got sick. How many didn’t?”

  “Just one,” T said. “Out of a couple dozen.”

  “Any idea how many didn’t get sick in Cellerin City?”

  “There are a lot more troops there. I heard seven didn’t get sick. And two died the next day.”

  “Damn.” Ulmin now had the names of eight more brain eaters. Did they know about their powers yet? Had they eaten enough to get addicted? He shuddered.

  “What are you thinking, Krey?” T demanded.

  Krey had never told T how Ulmin had gotten his mind-control power. He couldn’t share it with this roomful of people now. But he had to prepare someone for what might be coming. “Can I speak with you alone?”

  T sent the others into the kitchen. Krey kept his voice low. “Those eight magic eaters may start controlling people,” he said. “Just like the king does.”

  The smaller man fixed his intense eyes on Krey. “Brain matter fuels his talent?”

  Krey had known T’s sharp mind would make that leap, but somehow he’d hoped it would take longer. “Yes. And no one can know. Can you imagine if every magic eater in Cellerin decided to eat a tiny bit of brain matter to see if it works as fuel for them?”

  “I agree. We may need to kill the soldiers who didn’t get sick.”

  “I doubt you’ll be able to. They’ll be heavily guarded.” Krey swiped his palms down his face. Would Ulmin share his power with these new brain eaters? Was he planning to create more Overseers? “This is bad.”

  “What do we do about it?” T asked.

  Krey sucked in a deep breath. “Nora’s got to take the crown. As soon as she can.” He returned T’s stare. “She’s committed to supporting New Therro. I hope your people will do the same for her.”

  “Many people have supported the princess since the battle for Deroga. But for others, anti-royalty sentiment has never been higher.”

  “She’s on your side,” Krey said. “Please make them see that.”

  “I’ll do what I can. And you’ll need a way to communicate with me.” T gave Krey an address where he received mail. They discussed a simple code to use in their correspondence.

  Then T sent four members of his team to escort Krey through the city. They scouted out his route a few blocks at a time, occasionally distracting soldiers to ensure that Krey could pass safely by.

  When they reached a building at the northern edge of New Therro, Krey thanked his escorts, then took to the air again. He quickly flew above the range where sentries on the ground would see him.

  In minutes, he reached Osmius. “I hope you don’t mind giving me another ride. We need to get back fast.” He climbed on the dragon’s back and closed his eyes as they shot through the cold evening air.

  23

  I ate dinner with Ulmin at the palace tonight. It was particularly cold, and even the building’s ingenious heating system didn’t keep all the chill out of the residence.

  The queen is out of town. So after dinner, Ulmin took me to his quarters, something he’d never dare with his grandmother there. We sat in front of the fire in his sitting room, talking softly.

  And he kissed me. Finally.

  I know you, Dani. I know you want details.

  But I’m afraid I can’t give any. I’d feel silly telling you that his lips were soft and urgent and perfect and that I swear I got drunk from the taste of him. It would be outright embarrassing to admit how badly I wanted to lead him through the door to his bedroom. And as much as I enjoy the descriptions in a good romance novel, I wouldn’t dare write about how his hands tangled in my hair, and his breath was hot on my neck, and we ended up lying on the floor, holding each other, warm for the first time all night.

  I’d never say any of that, so you’ll have to settle for this:

  Ulmin kissed me. And I don’t want to ever let him go.

  -Letter from Ambrel Kaulder to Dani Kaulder

  Dated Barna 8, 180 PD

  Nora paced around the campfire, arms crossed against the chill.

  “Hey,” a voice said softly.

  Nora turned to see that Joli had joined her. “Hi.”

  “I think he’ll be okay,” Joli said.

  “Who?”

  “Krey.” The firelight illuminated Joli’s smile.

  “Of course he will.” Nora wished she didn’t sound so defensive.

  They walked in a slow circle, passing by all the others. Zeisha and Kebi were huddled together under a single blanket, chatting softly. Sarza sat close to the fire, gazing thoughtfully into it.

  Sharai was wrapped in her blanket, trying to sleep. As Nora and Joli strode by, the former minister spoke. “Krey is fine, Your Highness. You realize he’s too stubborn to get caught, right? Get some rest.”

  Nora laughed softly. That was about as motherly as Sharai ever got.

  “How about we sit?” Joli said.

  “Sure.” Nora lowered herself to the ground and cocooned herself in her blanket.

  Joli brought over a blanket and joined her. “You know . . .” she began softly.

  Nora groaned inwardly. She wasn’t in the mood for a conversation. She’d been perfectly happy pacing and checking in with Osmius every couple of minutes for updates on Krey.

  Joli continued, “We met a couple of months ago, and we’ve never really talked.”

  “That’s true.” In her mind, Nora said, Osmius?

  Still nothing, the dragon replied, a hint of annoyance coloring his tone.

  “It seems weird for us not to talk,” Joli said, “considering we have something big in common.”

  Nora looked over to find Joli smiling wryly. “You mean, we both broke up with one of the hottest guys in Cellerin?”

  Joli laughed. “Yep. I’m tired of not talking about it. And clearly you need a distraction tonight.”

  Osmius? Nora said again.

  By the stone, Nora-human, I shall reach out the moment I see him again. Let Joli distract you.

  Are you listening in on my conversation with her?

  Yes.

  Gild’s voice reached Nora. He shall return soon. I feel sure of it.

  Nora huffed. Are my personal interactions safe from anyone?

  “I’m sorry. It must not be a good time,” Joli said.

  “What? Oh—no, I was talking to Osmius and Gild.” Nora felt her lips curve up. “Osmius told me to let you distract me. And maybe I will. If both dragons stop eavesdropping.”

  Laughter—deep from Osmius, melodic from Gild—reached her mind. Done, Osmius said. Gild echoed him.

  Nora scooted until she was facing Joli, instead of the fire. Joli did the same. “So,” Nora said, the crackling flames nearly stifling her quiet words, “you want to talk about Ovrun?”

  Joli’s blanket-covered shoulders lifted in a shrug. Her chin trembled the slightest bit, and she shifted her eyes to gaze into the darkness beyond the camp. “I’m really worried about him.”

  “Me too. And I wonder if people expect me to be okay, because we’re not together anymore . . . but I still care about him.”


  “Exactly,” Joli said.

  “What—” Nora began, then halted. She hardly knew Joli, besides the fact that she was an organizational whiz who’d proven herself steady and trustworthy. “Never mind.”

  “Ask me anything, Nora.”

  “Okay. Do you mind telling me what happened between you and Ovrun?”

  Joli blinked. “I . . . figured he’d told you.”

  “He said you broke it off with no explanation.”

  Sighing, Joli pulled her knees up to her chest. “He must think I’m such a bitch.”

  Nora couldn’t help but smile. “Can you imagine Ovrun ever calling anyone a bitch?”

  Another soft laugh. “Not in a million years.” Joli turned her head to gaze at the fire. As the silence stretched out, Nora considered reaching out to Osmius again. Then Joli said, “Living on a farm, there’s this closeness that families develop. There’s not a lot to do in the evenings, so we spend our time together.”

  Nora nodded, not sure where this was going.

  “When Ovrun told me he was becoming a royal guard, and I told my father . . .” Joli let out a groaning sigh. “You’ve met my dad. You know he despises the king. He was so disappointed in Ovrun. And I didn’t want him to be disappointed in me.”

  “So you broke up with Ovrun to keep the peace at home?” Nora said.

  Joli sniffled and wiped her nose on her knee. “It was the stupidest, most selfish decision I’ve ever made. And then I was too embarrassed to fix it. Plus, I was afraid if I went back to Ovrun, my dad would never forgive me.”

  “How old were you?” Nora asked.

  “Sixteen.”

  Nora reached out and squeezed Joli’s arm. “I don’t know about you, but I barely know what I’m doing at eighteen. I was totally clueless at sixteen.” They both laughed softly. “You made the best choice you could at the time.”

  “Maybe. I hope I get the chance to explain to him someday.” Joli let out a loud sigh. “What about you? Why did you end it with him?”

  Nora twisted the blanket in her hands. “It’s kind of ironic, I guess. You broke up with him because you thought he might spend the rest of his life at the palace. I broke up with him to keep him from doing that.”

  The skin between Joli’s brows drew together. “What do you mean?”

  Nora smiled. “You’ve seen him work on the farm. Do you really think he’d be happy penned up on the palace grounds? Wearing starched shirts? Discussing policies and diplomatic relations? I ended things with him because I don’t think our futures fit together. It was as simple as that.”

  “We’ve got to find him.” Joli choked on the words. “Can you imagine how miserable he is, imprisoned under that dome? If he’s even still . . .” She let out a little yelp, maybe a sob.

  “I know,” Nora whispered. The same thoughts still tormented her every day, though she’d been doing her best to put them to the side when she needed to focus on other things. And while it was nice to talk to someone who understood, jealousy’s sharp claws were digging into her gut. Joli still cared for Ovrun. Maybe a lot.

  Staring at the fire, Nora berated herself. What was her problem? She didn’t want Ovrun, but she didn’t want anyone else to have him either? She gritted her teeth. Joli’s not the selfish one here.

  “Any word about Krey?” Joli asked, her voice level again.

  Nora pulled the blanket around her even tighter. “No.” She brought her gaze back to Joli, who was peering at her closely. Probably trying to figure out what Nora’s feelings were for Krey. Well, that makes two of us.

  “You okay?” Joli asked.

  “Yeah. Or maybe no. I’m just . . . stressed out.”

  “Is there anything I can—”

  Nora’s back went rigid. Osmius had just called her name. “Hang on,” she told Joli. Yes?

  I see him, Osmius said. Flying toward me. I shall tell you what he says when he arrives.

  “Thank the stone,” Nora said aloud, her lips broadening into a giddy grin. She relayed the information to Joli.

  Before long, Osmius was in her mind again. I shall carry him back. He says we must hurry.

  Relieved to have something to talk about besides her stupid, irrational feelings, Nora stood, waking Sharai and telling everyone what Osmius had said. Once again, she paced. When the dragon landed, she rushed over to them, arriving as Krey’s feet hit the ground. “You were gone a long time!”

  “I’ve got news.” His tone was dark.

  “Do you want me to gather everyone?”

  “Hang on.” He took a step closer. In a low voice, he told her what he’d learned in the city.

  A particularly strong curse word flew from Nora’s mouth.

  He gave her the tiniest smirk. “My feelings exactly. I wanted you to have the details, because we need to be careful what we say to the group.”

  He was right. Sharai and Joli didn’t know how the king’s mind-control talent worked. “Walk with me,” Nora said.

  “Yes, Your Highness.”

  “Stop that,” she said, but she was smiling.

  They strode beyond the light of the campfire, then halted. “We have to stop him before he gathers his new brain lysters,” Nora said. “Otherwise, he could end up with eight more Overseers.”

  “Exactly what I was thinking.”

  “We know where he was a day ago. We need to find him on the road and stop him. Whatever it takes.”

  In the darkness, she could barely see Krey nod. “I agree. He’s more exposed out here than in the palace. Not that I’m looking forward to facing a bunch of mounted royal guards.”

  “Don’t worry,” Nora said with a grin. “We’ve got dragons. Come on, let’s go talk to the others.” Krey took a step that direction. On a whim, she grabbed his hand. “Wait.”

  He turned slowly. “Yes?” His voice was strangely soft.

  Something about that word—and the feel of his fingers on hers—set her heart racing. She stepped closer. “I’m glad you’re safe.”

  “Me too.”

  They stood silently, close enough that Nora heard every one of his quick breaths. Hers were coming just as fast. He’s just a friend, a faraway part of her brain protested. But her instincts were louder than her reason. Her body moved on its own, leaning in, her lips parted, begging him to cross the remaining few simmets between them.

  “Nora,” he said softly, his breath brushing against her lips, his fingers slipping in between hers.

  She closed her eyes.

  All at once, Krey dropped her hand, nearly flinging it away. Her eyes flew open in time to see him take a rapid step back. “We better get back.” He was breathing hard. “Your Highness.”

  This time, the honorific didn’t sound remotely sarcastic. It was respectful and somber, almost sad. Like nothing else could have done, those two words brought reality crashing into Nora.

  The discussion they were about to have with the group . . . it wasn’t just any conversation. They’d be talking about how to make her the queen. Not at some time in the indefinable, distant future. No, as soon as they could find her father.

  Within the next few days, if all went well, Nora would make several irrevocable barters.

  Princess for Queen.

  Your Highness for Your Majesty.

  Friends for subjects.

  This national tour had felt like a vacation of sorts. It had been easy to pretend she could hang onto her friendships. She’d even flirted with Krey, just a bit, and sometimes she convinced herself he was doing the same.

  But it didn’t matter what he said about coming to visit her once she was queen, or what Sharai said about how she could still cut loose every once in a while. It didn’t matter what anyone said, because Nora knew the truth.

  When her father’s band of gold encircled her brow, everything would change.

  “Are you coming?” Krey asked from where he still stood, an arm’s length—or maybe an entire world—away.

  “Yeah.” She squared her shoulders. “Let’
s go figure this out.”

  The Stone Eater: 8

  Ulmin sat in bed, propped up on pillows. He was staying at the finest inn the town of Ravind had to offer . . . which wasn’t all that fine. But his bedding was soft, and he was close enough to the Therro Desert that the autumn weather was mild, even with no fireplace in the room. It would do.

  He reached a hand into the right pocket of his pajama top and withdrew a small piece of stone. Cradling it in the center of his palm, he gazed at it in wonder. Two of its faces were deep black, smooth and warm. The other edges were broken, coated in a luminescent orange substance.

  Orange light flowed up his arm with an electric-like buzz. It ventured onto his neck, then his head, then down his other arm. Power, tangible and intoxicating, filled his hands and brain. He groaned with pleasure.

  Reluctantly, he dropped the stone back in his pocket. He wasn’t sure if touching it too often drained its power more quickly, but he didn’t want to risk it. Right now, he was full to the brim with its strength. When he next fueled up, he’d have as much magic as he needed.

  While his body was strong now, his head felt suddenly fuzzy. Lately, if he didn’t consume his dark fuel consistently enough, his mind seemed to slow. It was his body’s way of reminding him to remain connected to his gifts.

  Ulmin pulled a small bag filled with dried brain matter from his left pocket. He preferred fresh, but on a trip like this, he made do. He pinched some out and shoved it in his mouth, barely chewing before swallowing it down. Blissful clarity flooded his mind.

  “Guards!” he called.

  The door opened. “Yes, Your Majesty?” a female guard said.

  “Send in Ovrun.”

  “One moment, Your Majesty.”

  At first, Ulmin had wondered why he felt so drawn to Ovrun. Then one day, it had hit him. Ovrun knew Nora. And by the stone, Ulmin missed his daughter.

  He gripped his bedding hard, squeezing his eyes shut to prevent tears from bursting forth. Nora’s flight from the palace had been as sudden and shocking as Ambrel’s death ten years earlier. Adding to his grief was the fact that Nora had chosen to betray him. Then she’d dug the knife deeper, dismantling his militia and fighting with the trogs against him. Now, she was touring the nation to turn his own people against him.