They leave together, disappearing into the palace, and I’m left alone, the soft melody playing on repeat.
And all I can think about is her. A woman I never thought I would want, and grieve what I can’t have.
“And those arethe final appointments to my cadre, Your Highness,” Baydor Rathlin, the new Emberon, says, gesturing to the five fire Strength wielders standing behind him. “Your approval notwithstanding, of course.”
I wave my hand. “I trust your judgement, Keeper Rathlin. I did hand-pick you for my own cadre, after all.” I nod at the new members of the fire cadre all in turn. “As Celestaris, I welcome you all to the Essensari Council, made up of Celador’s Keepers of the Essences and their chosen cadres. While we are still missing an Aquilith, we are in the final stages of having a full council again. As you can see, I invited the three candidates for our future Keeper of Water to attend this meeting.” My eyes flick to Eira’s for the first time since the start of the meeting, and then quickly away again. “They will attend this meeting in an honorary role so that they may become acquainted with some of our processes.” I gesture for Baydor to take his seat as I stand, waving at the floor-to-ceiling map of the continent that covers the entire wall of the security hall, ready to start my briefing. It’s the first time in weeks we’ve been able to gathereveryone at Aetherhold, after Lira Caldrin, the Terranir, and Tarin Volk, the Zephyros, and their cadres were sent to the western mountainous range to help after reports of a series of landquakes had ravaged the region. Thynara Voss, the Psyrixis, will already be on the road again tomorrow on a special assignment for me.
“The King’s Guard reports that border defences are holding steady in the north,” I say, gesturing to Celador’s border with Avaron on the map, trying to ignore the way I can feel Eirabella’s eyes on me. We have barely spoken since our argument outside her bedroom last night; only in passing as I walked by her in the dining hall to my seat at lunch, and then briefly when I invited her to this meeting. “But we need to split up some of the cadres to support the patrols in the southern provinces, with Solstice approaching. We are predicting the rebels will likely use that time to disrupt our resources and spread chaos.”
The keepers nod, murmuring within their cadres, taking notes, but before I can continue, the door creaks open. Grellor steps inside, his expression tight and serious.
I frown. “Captain Farran, we’re in the middle of—”
“Captain Corvane is with the king and members of the council, Your Highness,” Grellor says with a head bow, cutting me off. “His Majesty requests your presence immediately.”
I huff with irritation. “This had better be important,” I mutter. “Please excuse me and take this time to acquaint yourselves with the new cadre and our prospective Aquiliths.”
Eirabella gives me a small smile as I pass her, and for a split second, I wonder what the consequences would be if I just grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the meeting to somewhere there’s just the two of us.
Grellor returns to his post as I make my way through the cold, stale corridors, readying myself for what’s about to happen. My father never calls me out of an important meetingunless something serious is brewing. When I reach the council chamber, I push the doors open with a force that clearly expresses my irritation at having been called out of my meeting. The king, seated at the head of the table, glances up with that insufferably smug look of his.
“I hope this is important,” I say, my voice edged with frustration. “This is the first time I’ve been able to meet with a full Essensari Council in weeks.”
My father’s smile sharpens, his fingers drumming lazily on the arm of his chair. “Oh, I think you’ll find it important, as crown prince, if not Celestaris,” he says, gesturing toward Mathis, who stands to the side, his expression tight. “Please, Captain Corvane, tell my son what you just reported to me.”
Mathis steps forward, holding out a crumpled piece of parchment. His eyes meet mine, full of warning intent, but his voice is steady as he speaks. “Your Highness, one of my guards intercepted a message sent to the rebellion leader.”
He hands me the parchment. I read the message aloud, the parchment crinkling in my hands. “‘Rebel member was able to get close to Prince Rylan during his walk in town. Becoming a regular outing. Could use to our advantage. Please advise, KV. — M’”
KV. Kyros Valen. My jaw tightens, and I look up, a dangerous edge to my voice. “Did we manage to catch the traitor who was sending this?”
Mathis nods sharply. “Yes, Your Highness. He’s locked in a cell right now.”
“Get him, Captain Corvane.Now.”
Mathis turns to leave, his expression grim, and I catch the shadow across his face as he passes me. As the door closes behind him, Duke Ornero leans forward in his seat. “Your Highness, if they’re tracking your movements, you’ll need to be more careful.”
I swing around, glare sharp and brimming with fury as I fix my gaze on him. “I’m not changing the way I behave in Narathia because of some pesky rebels,” I snap, the force of my words echoing through the chamber. The fury comes from deep in my chest, a warning to anyone else who might dare suggest otherwise.
The king chuckles softly, leaning back in his chair, his expression amused and insufferable as always. “Well said. And I agree with my son, Duke Ornero. Our crown prince is also our Celestaris. Surely he wouldn’t be the hero he’s celebrated to be without being able to protect himself. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Duke Ornero drops his head, sufficiently scolded.
Before the discussion can escalate further, Mathis returns, dragging a tall, lanky man in restraints behind him. A thick, tense silence falls over the council as the prisoner stumbles forward. I recognized him immediately.
“Well, well, well. Maren Parwel,” I say slowly, the disbelief saturating my voice. “I’d heard rumours of your betrayal, but I was hoping you’d prove to be better than that.”
Maren looks up, his eyes blazing with defiance and pure hate. He spits at my feet, the saliva landing inches from my boots. Mathis shoves him roughly to his knees, the sound of bone meeting polished marble reverberating through the chamber.
I step forward, planting my boot against his chest, pressing him back as I wave the parchment in his face. “Where is your leader?” I demand, my voice cold and cutting.
Maren grins, the defiance in his expression sharpening as his eyes fall on the king’s. “It’s of no consequence to you. You’ll never catch him. He’s too clever for you. For all of you. One day, he’ll be in this room, and you’ll all be bowing to Morath.”
Before his words have even settled, I lean down, pullingback my arm, and strike him hard, the back of my hand snapping his head to the side. He sprawls across the floor, landing just inches from my father’s feet. Blood splatters from his mouth, staining the pale stone. For a fleeting moment, something flashes in my chest—a faint pang of regret. But I shove it down, bury it deep where no one, especially my father, can see.
I stalk over, grabbing the back of his tunic and hauling him upright, dragging him to the centre of the room. “Tell us where Kyros is hiding or I swear, you’ll be meeting Morath long before any of us.” My voice drops to a deadly whisper, the words laced with a promise of pain.
Maren spits again, the rebellion etched into every defiant line on his face. “Happily!” he sneers. “At least I won’t be a traitor to the people I’m meant to be ruling.”
