“Perhaps,” I say, though the words feel hollow.
“So much rests on our Keepers,” the king says, his voice taking on a more serious tone. “We need Keepers who are strong, who can defend the realm. Who are inherently connected to our kingdom, to our people. Who live and die to protect all who live in Celador.”
This is it. This is my opportunity. I adopt a thoughtful expression and say, “I am worried about how I’m feeling disconnected from the kingdom right now. And the people. Just training from sun up to sun down between these castle walls may be what is stifling my magic.” I sigh for added effect.
“Maybe that’s the problem,” he says, his tonethoughtful. “Perhaps you should take some time to reconnect. A walk beyond the castle walls might do you good.”
I blink, trying to hide the sudden surge of hope. “That’s kind of you to suggest, Your Majesty, but there really isn’t time.”
“Nonsense,” the king replies, waving away my concern. “I insist. I’ll mention it to Master Gavrik, and I’ll have Captain Corvane take you into town tomorrow afternoon.”
I can hardly believe my luck. The king’s offer is more than I could have hoped for, and I do my best to mask my excitement. “If you insist, thank you, Your Majesty,” I say humbly, nodding my head in supplication.
“For the good of the kingdom, Eirabella,” he says. “We all have a part to play. Especially with the growing threat of rebels.”
I blink, surprised. Rebels? This is the first I’ve heard of any unrest. “I hadn’t realised there was currently dissent in the kingdom,” I say cautiously.
The king’s expression darkens slightly, and he nods. “There always is. It’s not common knowledge, and we’ve kept it that way for a reason. But they are out there, and they’re growing stronger. That’s why your training is so important.”
His words send a chill down my spine. I’ve been so focused on my own struggles that I hadn’t considered what might be happening beyond the castle walls. If there really are rebels, then the role of Keeper is much more critical than I ever imagined. And with my magic nowhere to be found, I’m definitely not the person for the job.
When the queen excuses herself early, the king immediately rises to assist her. Offering her his arm, they walk slowly out of the hall together. We all rise and watch as they go, the queen’s face turned up in a weak smile toward her husband. Once we retake our seats, I turn back to the conversation at thetable, just as Caelum is teasing Elara, his voice light and playful. “Come on, Elara, admit it—you were staring at Sir Henley during the entire banquet last night,” Caelum says with a smirk, clearly enjoying the way Elara’s cheeks flush a deep pink.
Elara huffs, obviously trying to maintain her composed demeanour. “I was not staring! I was simply… observing. It’s important to know who’s protecting the realm,” she retorts.
“Observing, sure,” Caelum drawls, leaning back in his chair with casual ease, and gives me a conspiratorial wink. “If that’s what you want to call it. Poor man didn’t know what to do with himself under all that… observation. Must’ve been sweating under all that armour, wondering if the king was going to order him beheaded or not.”
Elara gives him a withering look. “You’re impossible, Caelum.”
He grins, clearly pleased with himself. “Maybe, but it’s true, isn’t it? You’ve got a soft spot for the knight in shining armour.”
Before Elara can respond, Caelum’s expression shifts to one of mock seriousness as he sighs deeply and leans back in his chair, clasping his hands behind his head. “What an enjoyable evening, having my dear female cousins home finally. We really do have to make the most of our time without that broody sourpuss around,” he says, changing the subject with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Alina gasps, her eyes wide with mock horror. “Caelum! Rylan is the Crown Prince!”
Caelum’s grin widens. “Alina! I didn’t say who it was, but I find it interesting you all knew exactly who I meant.”
That draws a round of laughter from everyone at the table. Alina swats at him from across the table playfully, while Elara shakes her head, smiling despite herself. EvenI find myself trying to bite back a grin. Apparently, Rylan’s moods are well known amongst his own family as well.
Then Caelum turns to me, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Maybe that’s why he’s such a boor. Don’t you think, Eirabella?”
I blink, caught off guard. What am I supposed to say? I have to be careful; it’s one thing for the king’s nephew to insult the Crown Prince, another for his own disciple to say those same things. A part of me also wants to defend Rylan, to point out that he’s more than just the stern, serious prince they all seem to think he is. But then I remember how utterly frustrating he can be, how he kept everything so close to his chest during our time together.
A smile tugs at my lips as I decide to play along. “Well,” I begin, choosing my words carefully, “he did once insist on stopping to lecture me about the importance of safety... while we were literally in the middle of an actual bandit attack. It was… not exactly the best timing.”
The others burst out laughing, even Elara, who tries to cover her mouth to hide her amusement.
“Sounds like Rylan,” Caelum says, shaking his head. “It is never not a good time for a good scolding. I haven’t even heard of a bandit attack in years. I wouldn’t be surprised if those bandits were actually ordered by angry noblemen who he’s angered over the years.”
I laugh along with them, but there’s a twinge of something that feels a lot like guilt twisting in my gut. It feels strange to be sitting here, joking about Rylan with his own family, knowing that he isn’t here to defend himself. A small part of me wonders if I’ve betrayed him, even if just a little.
But then I remind myself of the king’s promise—tomorrow, Mathis will take me into town. And maybe, just maybe, by this time tomorrow, I’ll be so far away from here that I’ll neverhave to worry about seeing any of them... or Rylan... ever again.
The thought brings a confounding mixture of relief and sadness, but I push it aside. I can’t afford to dwell on emotions right now. Not when freedom is so close.
SIXTEEN
Eirabella
