Such a terrifying invention.
How did the King even have this invented?Whoinvented it? I couldn’t even begin to guess. I flinched when the door opened, and I turned, expecting to see Roland with some food.
But instead, Silas walked in. I sat up in the bed and crossed my arms as he walked over and sat on the bed, keeping his eyes on me.
“That elixir you used to put Edmund to sleep,” he queried. “Do you think it would be possible to make enough for all of my men?”
I raised a brow and thought about it. “How many are there?”
“Two hundred and twenty-seven.”
“That would be…a lot,” I said. “Why do you ask? Do your killing machines have insomnia or something?”
He glowered at me. “I’m brainstorming ways to get your people out.”
I gaped at him. “You…you're actually considering releasing us?” I asked incredulously.
“If that’s what it takes to get you to leave.” His eyes trailed over me. “Plus, I have my own agenda as well.”
“Oh yeah?” I questioned. “And what’s that?”
He shook his head. “We’ll discuss that later. Would it work?”
I thought on it some more. “Finding the ingredients again, making that amount, and attempting to do it secretly would prove difficult.” I paused. “Perhaps I could make a distraction?”
He raised a brow, clearly thinking my idea was stupid.
“I don’t know…” I muttered and huffed as I leaned my head against the headboard. “Some Mages are able to conjure up portals,” I said softly. “But no one in my village nor I know how to. Save for Igon and…” I left the rest unsaid, a lump forming in my throat at the thought of him. I rubbed my temples and groaned. “I just don’t understand why he picked me.”
Or why I was telling Silas this. He sat on the edge of the bed. His body now angled towards me.
I continued quietly, “I don’t know what I’m doing.” I lowered my hands to my lap. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I…I wasn’t meant to be a leader.”
I looked into his golden eyes, and he just studied me, his expression unreadable.
“Most of us don’t have a choice when it comes to being a leader,” he replied.
“I know,” I mumbled. “But you were born into royalty. Igon was a master seer, which proved beneficial in keeping the safety of all of us…up until now, of course.” I sighed. “There’s nothing special about me. I don’t have any gift or people skills or—anything.” I shook my head. “I just don’t know why.”
“I thought you wielding fire was special?”
I scoffed. “Special? It’s a tragedy.”
He looked at me with a perplexed expression.
“Elemental magic is only developed when you go through certain events. Ice is devastation. Electricity is from being in love. And fire? Fire is rage. Not just regular rage, not just anger—people feel anger all the time. It is from a mixture of rage, devastation, and hopelessness. By having your heart completely broken.” I fixed my gaze on him. “I got my ice the moment I left you, knowing I would not see you again for a long time, if ever. Knowing what I would be putting you through.” I let out a dry laugh. “And you know when I got my fire?”
His eyes bounced between mine, and I trembled, realizing I wouldn't tell him. I fucking couldn't. Couldn't even think of it.
He clenched his jaw when he realized I wouldn't say, but his face slightly softened.
“Some look at elemental skills as powerful, especially fire,” I continued bitterly. “I just see it as being weak—that my body sunk to such a low that it allowed this magic to surge through me. Some see it as evidence of things I have overcome. I haven’t overcome shit.
“I’m still devastated. I’m still heartbroken. I’m still fuckingangry.” I let out a shaky exhale. “Uncuff me. Let me be to blame for letting everyone escape. You can release everyone, and when I make a scene, they can sneak off. You can keep me here; use me as your example. I can hold the soldiers off while they escape.”
He cocked a brow. “You can hold off over two hundred soldiers?”
“Yes.”
