The King looked startled and glanced around the room, missing Grace twice before she shifted a little and he speared her with a gaze.

"Grace. Nice to see you again. Still up to your old tricks?"

Grace smirked and pushed off the corner and stepped forward. "They're not tricks. They're survival techniques. Allowed me to escape the Night Fae city. Here I am, as ordered. Ready to fulfil my oath."

The King's eyes gleamed at her. She could taste his eagerness. She watched Sylvan walk around the King's desk and position himself behind him and to the right. The King's spy master, assassin, and doer of dirty deeds. Grace hated the man. He and her were too alike for her tastes, despite him being a mere human. And he always smelled sour to her.

The King remained standing, looking eager. "You have it?"

Grace nodded and pulled the egg out of her pocket. She didn't miss the fanatical look that crossed the King's face. Once again, she felt the need to keep the egg to herself. To not hand it over. To return it to the Wilds. Unfortunately, her oath pulled at her. Reminded her of the consequences of not fulfilling her binding oath.

The King held out his hand. Grace paused a moment and then stepped forward and placed the egg in his palm. Her fingers refused to let it go. The King was already grasping it and he pulled it away from her, her hand following along. With effort, she opened her hand and snatched her arm back. She felt dirty and shuddered.

She felt the shackles of her oath evaporate from her soul. She felt freed. Alive again. Her eyes narrowed as she felt the absolute wrongness of her actions. She saw Sylvan watching her, and she didn't miss the glint in his eye.

He's enjoying this. Enjoying my discomfort and he knows somehow. What the fuck have I done?

She stepped back and dropped into the chair in front of the desk.

Arbuckle was grinning at the prize in his hand. He caressed it with both hands.

"It's so warm and heavy! A beautiful thing! Thank you, Grace, for fulfilling your oath. You and your party have served me well and you will be rewarded as promised."

“About that," murmured Grace, watching the glee in the King's eyes as he continued to stare at the egg. "I've changed what I want from you."

Sylvan snorted. “It is far too late for that. Steps have already been taken. Your reward is as promised."

"I'm not talking to you, ass wipe, I'm talking to the King here. How about it, King? I want one more thing from you. Call it professional courtesy. I lost Eric because of that thing. A valued member of my party. He was the one who found it. I want his part of the reward.

I need something only you can give me. It's a simple thing."

The King tore his eyes from the egg and looked at her, bewildered.

"You wish another boon?"

"Yes," she said, then thought a moment. "Please."

"Name it."

"I just delivered a spell caster bound to three hedge witches to the Academy. I had Quinten promise to look out for them. I need your assurance they will be protected from your law."

A look of disbelief crossed the King's face, and he sank into his leather chair. "A bound spell caster? Hedge witches? Why are they not already dead? Those are my standing orders in the Realm. ALL bound spell casters and witches are to be executed on discovery."

“Yeah, about that? Can't apply here. These people are not evil.

Believe me."