17. Agaric

SEVENTEEN

AGARIC

"I will not say it again!" My voice boomed as I flipped a nearby chair, fuming with rage. "If he has Hesper, if she somehow remembers who she really is—" I grabbed my head, desperately trying to figure out what to do.

"My prince," the old man stuttered, "we do not know if the effects of the poison can even be reversed. It would require someone extensively skilled, someone who has studied the particular fungi for decades. The chances of Queen Hesper—"

"She is not a queen!" I growled. "That bitch was a mere pawn in my game, and now," I exhaled, "now, my traitorous brother has his hands on her and will surely find a way to make her remember. He cannot survive without his wife. This will only fuel him. His desire to attack Dryade will grow with each second we waste debating the unimportant details." I gripped the old man's collar, yanking his close as he flinched. "We must be ready. We must prepare for war. Darkness will be coming, and once it is upon us, there is nothing we can do to stop it."