“Why, Princess Morgana, it seems the gods have stacked the odds against you. A solari in Trova is a complicated thing to be. But I wonder what my grandson means by ‘special.’”
Ana doesn’t look pleased, but she doesn’t hesitate to answer, either.
“He means that I’m able to use my celestial magic in multiple ways, Your Majesty,” she says. “To the point that I may be able to offer you some assistance.”
My grandfather raises a silver eyebrow but sits back in his throne, inviting us to continue. Ana glances at me again, giving me permission to continue.
“I have spoken to Proctor Gallis at Vastamae,” I say. “She believes the princess might be able to use an ancient form of celestial magic to revive Fairon.”
My grandfather’s stare intensifies, and he says nothing for a few moments. I’ve surprised him, and he doesn’t like that.
“You have been busy, Leonidas,” he says, his voice deadly calm. “I wonder why you didn’t consult with me about this before.”
“Princess Morgana discovered her magic unexpectedly during our travels. It developed very quickly from there, growing in unexpected ways. Our knowledge of it was changing every day, and I didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up about Fairon until we were sure she could help.”
Some things might have been easier if I’d told my grandfather what was going on, but I was forced to keep secrets from the start. He dislikes everything that isn’t his idea. It makes him feel less in control. But if I’d asked permission to seek out healers to help Fairon while I was in Trova, he would have refused. He’d all but accepted Fairon’s fate when he ordered me to go to Trova—it’swhyhe ordered me to go, hoping the experience would beat some statesmanship into me. And that meant that if I wanted the search to take place, it had to happen behind his back.
When I learned Ana was a solari, I knew he’d be interested in what that meant for the relationship between the two kingdoms, but even back then, I’d wanted to protect her, so I held off sending any messages to my grandfather. And the more timewent on, the more I knew I wanted to keep her as far away from his influence as I could.
Ana’s fingers move slightly down at her side now. She’s digging a nail into her palm, as if something I’ve just said worries her. She still doubts herself. I forge ahead anyway.
“But our visit to the Lyceum was fruitful. The princess discovered she’s able to access a living creature’s celestial flame. It’s through this we think she can heal Fairon.”
“Impressive,” my grandfather says, but I can see the lack of sincerity in his eyes. He guesses that I wasn’t planning on telling him about this, and it fills him with silent rage. “It’s been a long time since I’ve heard someone mention the idea of a celestial flame. I was always led to believe it was more of a theory than a practical tool.”
My heart sinks. He’s not convinced. In fact, I can sense he actively dislikes this plan. I need to change his mind.
“Princess Morgana’s progress has proven those old theories true. Plus, if there’s even a chance that a cure for Fairon comes out of this, isn’t it worth taking a risk?”
“You always were one for risk-taking, Leonidas. But a king must be more wary. Tell me, princess, what sort of ‘progress’ have you made exactly? How many have you healed via their celestial flames?”
The color drains from Ana’s face, and she drops her gaze. “I’m afraid I’ve not gotten that far, Your Majesty. I’ve only properly practiced on plants and the results have been…inconsistent.”
My grandfather looks happy to be proven right, and I can see that everything is starting to fall apart.
Well, I won’t let it. I’ve fought too long and too hard for Ana to be here, finally willing to save my brother. I’ve sacrificed too much to make it happen. Including making her hate me. Now my grandfather is ready to shut it all down thanks to his lack of faith in me.
“But she’s only just arrived, Grandfather,” I say. “She’s barely had a chance to try her magic on Fairon.”
My grandfather’s brows furrow. “Was that what you were doing at the Sanctuary of Viscalis? Allowing someone with powerful, untested magic to experiment on the crown prince?”
“Everything else has failed,” I say, my voice rising. “Now is the time to start trying something drastic.”
Hetsksdisapprovingly, as if I’m still a misbehaving child. “You’ve always been so quick to rush into things, Leonidas. I would’ve thought by now you’d have learned the kind of damage that can do.”
A hundred bitter retorts run through my mind, but I hold my tongue. He knows his words will make me think of Mistwell. He’s trying to rile me into lashing out, so he’ll have an excuse to discount my suggestions. I mustn’t fall for his tricks.
“With the greatest respect to you, Princess Morgana,” my grandfather continues, his voice softening. “It sounds to me as though your magic is still very new and undertrained. That makes it unpredictable. I will not risk the life of Filusia’s heir on something so unknowable.”
“Your Majesty,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm. “If we don’t pursue this, my brother may very well die soon anyway. Surely there must be some way to convince you, given what’s at stake? Some way to prove to you that the princess can help us?”
Ana’s nails are still buried in her palm. She’s afraid she’s not capable of this, but I know she is. Iknowit, deep in my gut. And I don’t ignore a gut feeling where she’s concerned.
My grandfather sighs.
“I wish to see Fairon healed as much as you do, Leonidas. So with that in mind, I will allow the princess to prove the safety of her magic.” His eyes gleam. “All she need do is agree to undergo a test.”
Now that it’s closing around me, I finally realize I’ve fallen into one of my grandfather’s traps. There’s no way he came up with this idea in the moment. No, he had this planned. Hewantedme to ask how Ana could prove herself just so he could suggest this. I don’t know what he aims to get out of this, but I’m sure it won’t be good. I look for a way to backtrack.
