“You don’t trust him?”
“It’s not that. The more people know about this, the more dangerous it becomes. And even if we find the third object, we don’t know how to destroy them yet.”
“Rhen has a much better knowledge and understanding of Evernean history. He’s the right person to do this and I asked him to help for a reason. You and I are too busy gathering armies against Aries. Our first objective is preparing for the battle we know is to come,” she argued.
“Rhen already knows what two of the objects are. That’s dangerous information, the kind that some people would kill for. If Aries should find out in any way, who’s to say he won’t take Rhen hostage and torture him until he tells Aries everything he wants to know?”
“Rhen would rather die than betray us.”
“And is that the kind of sacrifice you’re willing to make?” The words sank in and momentarily silenced her.
“Maybe I should take the dagger.” I held out my hand and Elara looked up at me as if I’d just lost my mind.
“What?”
“The Myrgonite dagger. I need you to give it to me so I can put it somewhere safe.”
She looked taken aback. “You don’t trust me with it?”
“No, I think it’s dangerous and it needs to be hidden. We’ll have to find somewhere for the necklace as well. At least until we figure out what the third object is.”
Elara pressed her lips into a line, clearly reluctant.
I could not forget her facial expression as she drove the dagger into the Argonian. I imagined it was quite similar to mine when I’d killed Thatcher. Whatever kind of magic that stone held, it was a dangerous weapon. It was already starting to have some kind of effect on us.
“We’re going up against one of the greatest armies on the continent, Cai. We are at every disadvantage, and we have very little time.”
“I know that,” I said, clenching my teeth. “But there were other weapons in that hallway. You should not have used the dagger.”You don’t know what the cost might be.
“I killed someone for you!” she cried out. “And you’re angry about what weapon I used to save your life?”
“Did you not see what happened in the throne room? Did you not see what I did? Something, some force that is bigger than us, has more power than we realise, and if we’re not careful, it could be the end of everything you and I hold dear. It’s not worth it!”
She continued to stare up at me, contemplating my words. “Please just give me the dagger,” I asked again, hoping that she could understand. I was just trying to protect everyone.
“After everything we’ve been through, I’d think you’d trust me better.”
It was intended to be hurtful, and she’d managed to hit her mark.
“You and I have been carrying the Myrgonite objects around with us for a very long time. I have no doubt that the stones protected us at times and we did not even realise. But magic requires balance, and we don’t know the price.”
She didn’t answer me, simply shook her head in dismay and walked out of the room.
We had been in so many life-threatening situations since we’d met, and yet, in many ways, it appeared as if luck was on our side. At the very least, we always walked out alive. But for everything the stones gave, they were going to take, too.
And I had a sickening feeling that it was time to pay up.
Chapter 34
Gwen
A gust of wind blew one of the windows in my bedroom shut and I jumped a little in my seat.
I’d been sitting next to the fire, trying to write a letter to my family, but after many failed attempts, it seemed futile.
This morning, a messenger arrived with a letter from Cai. He said that they’d won back Mistwood Palace and that war plans were in progress as they gathered more men. He didn’t say anything about Thatcher, which disappointed me a little, though I wasn’t entirely sure why. What my brother had done was unforgiveable. And yet, I still wanted to know.
I could go back to Norrandale if the weather allowed, something which wasn’t looking very promising at the moment, not to mention the impending war. Norrandale was no longer my sanctuary, but Everness was not my home, and I felt torn. From where I sat, I could see grey clouds gathering in the distance, and every room in the palace felt cold despite having all the fireplaces lit.
