I watch as the carriage pulls away, my sisters disappearing into the distance, back to the safety of the capital. Once they’re gone, I mount my horse and turn towards the forest. The roadahead is long, and my thoughts are a mess, but there’s one thing I’m sure of—what I need done can’t be done behind the walls of the castle. Dark deeds sometimes need to be done in the shadows.
Hours later,I arrive at a tavern, a small, unassuming place nestled deep in the woods. It’s still quiet inside, the kind of quiet that makes you check your surroundings twice. The evening traffic is yet to arrive. I slip inside, the collar of my coat pulled high, as I quickly scan the room. My eyes quickly adjusting to the dim light, I spot Astoris in a corner booth. He’s already nursing a drink, sharp-eyed as always, back to the wall.
“You’re late,” he says as I slide into the booth across from him. “Couldn’t get yourself to roll out of the lovely Lady Francesca’s bed?”
I throw him a glare. “No. Her father.”
“You were in Duke Eldridge’s bed? Well, that’s new.”
“Would you shut up? He had a lot to say. He’s worried,” I say, leaning back into the worn leather. “As he should be. The rebellion is making him nervous. But he’s also doing a good job of mobilising the local towns.”
Astoris raises an eyebrow. “Don’t blame him. The streets are filled with rumours of movement in the southwest corner of the woods. I take it the council is getting nervous?”
“Very,” I reply, with a nod, keeping my voice low. “If the rebellion spreads to the capital, it’ll be chaos. They know that. Any word on the next move?”
“We’re still watching,” he replies, equally cautious. “But I have a feeling that solstice is looking like the opportune time for the rebels to hit the capital.”
“That’s almost four months from now. That long?” From what the Duke was suggesting, it sounded like he thought anattack was imminent. I would need to delve further into who his sources were, and why he was getting such different information than me.
“Resources and bodies take time to assemble, Your Highness,” he says in a low but mocking tone. “Not everyone has an army at their fingertips.”
He gets a glare for his comment. “Keep me abreast. I’ll be back in the capital in a few days. You know how to get word to me there. But be safe about it.” He might be one of the crookedest people I’ve ever met, but he is also one of my closest friends.
He nods, understanding the gravity of what I’m not saying. After studying me for a moment, his gaze sharp, he says, “I also heard you finally brought your own choice for Aquilith?”
I hesitate, trying to keep my expression neutral, almost impossible since the mere mention of Eirabella makes my entire body flare with heat. I wait for my breath to stabilise before answering. “There’s someone who’s shown promise.”
“Promise, huh?” Astoris’s interest is piqued. “Who is she?”
He knows me too well. “I didn’t say she was a she.” Shit. That made almost no sense. Astoris’s eyes sparkle, and he opens his mouth to speak. “Shut. Up,” I hiss, holding up a finger. “She’s my disciple,nothing more.”
Astoris doesn’t back down, his grin only widening. “You’re awfully defensive about someone who’s your‘nothing more.’”
“Drop it, Az,” I say, the words coming out sharper than intended. We’ve been friends too long for me to pull rank, but the conversation has gone far enough.
He spins his glass on the table before looking up at me, his eyes serious. “You’re not being a defensive dick about talking about this‘nothing more’with me because of Val, are you?”
I blink at the mention of the name, but slowly shake my head, muddled with thoughts of Eirabella.
“If you say so.” Astoris leans back, a knowing look in his eyes as he watches me wrestle with my own mind. I haven’t been able to get Eirabella’s inability to access her magic off my mind this whole trip. Among other things related to her. “You’re making that face again,” Astoris says, tapping his fingers on the table. “The one where you’re pretending not to be frustrated.”
I scowl, leaning forward. “I’m not pretending. She’s incredibly capable, Astoris. She’s strong, I’ve seen it. But no matter how hard I push her, she just… shuts down.”
Astoris sets his drink down with a soft clink, meeting my gaze. “You ever think maybe the pushing is the problem?”
I narrow my eyes. “What are you getting at?”
He sighs, leaning in. “Fear, Rylan. Fear is a paralyser of magic. You think shoving her into the fire will make her stronger, but what if all you’re doing is fanning the flames of whatever’s holding her back. You can’t break someone out of their own head by force.”
I sit back, the weight of his words sinking in. “So what? I’m supposed to coddle her? That’s not my style.”
“Not coddle. Guide. She’s afraid of her own power. And until you make her feel safe with it, she’s never going to unlock it.” He smirks. “I know patience isn’t your strong suit.”
Astoris’s words hit me like a brick. It wasn’t about how hard I could push her—but how much I could pull her out of the fear that’s been binding her. I hate when he’s right.
“Ughhhh,” I groan and lay my head on the back of the seat. “This is the last thing I need right now, Az.”
My friend chuckles and playfully kicks my foot under the table. “Then let her go. You know, since she’snothing morethan a disciple.”
