The King now looked startled.

Sylvan interrupted. "My King, they cannot be allowed to live. You know this."

"Shut it, cock eater, this is between the King and I. Stay out of it.

Your Highness? I request you protect them. Tell Quinten to keep them safe. He already promised me, but his One God can be a right asshole sometimes."

"You want me to protect them? Why would I do this? I have already rewarded you and your party for your service in recovering this. I feel for your loss of Eric Garcia. His family was distraught, as you can well imagine, and I have provided them with financial compensation. I consider this all done and dealt with. I didn't have the heart to tell them he was killed by a falling tree. It would have devastated them. Why should I do more? I have kept my side of the bargain."

Grace was frowning. “I said please."

A small smile crept up the King's face. "Yes, I heard. A rare thing.

But I owe you nothing, Grace de Moroingi. Or Grace Gales, as you sometimes prefer. I thank you for your service. Most sincerely. But you ask too much. You know the history of witches as well as I do."

"I need you to do this. Send for Glenda. Ask her to examine them.

Until then, keep them safe. This is important."

The King looked uncertain. "Important? As in..."

"Yes. As in."

The King went silent. Grace could see the gears turning in his mind.

Eventually, he nodded once. "I see no harm in delaying their deaths.

Done. As much as it pains me, done. I will see and hear what Glenda has to say of the matter. Sylvan, take care of Quinten and Glenda for me. See they obey me in this."

Sylvan bowed his head. "Your Highness."

"Now, Grace. We are done here." The King rose. Grace did not.

"Not yet. One more thing."

The King sat back down and looked annoyed. He kept rubbing the egg in his hand and staring at it. Grace knew he wanted nothing more than to run off and play with the damn thing. ALL men are children, she knew.

"Now that you have the Phoenix Egg, what are your plans for it?" she asked, keeping her attention on both men.

Sylvan looked angry. The King looked even more annoyed.

“That is none of your business," declared the King.

"It is, actually. I think Eric found that egg down south somewhere.

That's the female Phoenix Egg. The only one. I know the life cycle of a phoenix. So do you. And I'm putting one and one together. What are your plans for that? It's incredibly dangerous. Mother is very concerned."