My eyes would have bulged, but by the grace of the Spirit, I mastered myself. What did she think she was doing? It did not appear she was trying to hide what she was at all.
“What are they for?” Erik asked before I could even respond.
Edda’s dark gaze turned to the King, void of apprehension. “They are for her to wear in her hair when the ritual will be performed, marking her as our Leader Superior.”
Blood instantly drained from my face. She was basically announcing that she was a Seer.
“How did you know she would be chosen next to lead the Bavadrins?” he asked.
“How did you know?” she asked him in return without missing a beat.
“I didn’t.” His stare bore into her, and she met it full force.
“Yet in your short few interactions with her, you knew enough to consider the possibility, so much so that you took her when your army attacked.” Edda then smiled. “I have known Ariana since she was but a child. You don’t have to be a Seer to know she should be the next to lead.” I nearly choked on air and Edda turned to me. “Or am I wrong? Were you marked by blood when your father was killed?”
Erik’s sapphire gaze narrowed, though he waited for me to answer the question.
“I was,” I confirmed.
Edda smiled. “Well.” She held out the satchel with stones once more. “Then these are for you.”
I took them, not knowing how to remedy her lack of caution regarding hiding what she was. “Thank you.” The words were a mumble.
Edda turned to Erik once more. “I would like to go with Ariana when she leaves with you to head back to your lands. She will need help to prepare for the ceremony to ascend, and I am now the closest thing to family she has left. It would be wise to allow her to have my guidance as she takes on this new role.”
Erik’s sapphire eyes narrowed even further. He looked at Edda from head to toe.
“That will be fine,” he finally said in agreement.
I nearly sighed in relief.
17
ERIK
Ariana walked nervously between me and her elderly friend, Edda. The old-timer was peculiar. A boldness encased her in an impenetrable shield. It was clear that she had a hand in raising Ariana, for the girl harbored a similar stubborn confidence. However, Ariana’s held cracks; her shell could weaken when applying the correct type of pressure. I could push her out of her comfort, forcing her heart to pick up its pace as it now did.
Edda’s attention swung to me. “Tell me, Lysian, when do you intend to bring Ariana back for the ceremony?” There was something I appreciated about her forward questions.
Frustration radiated from Ariana and had to suppress a smile at her discomfort. She clearly hated that Edda continued to address me.
“When would it be best for the Bavadrins?” I asked.
“The sooner the better. We would only need a few days to prepare.” A darkness flickered in her eyes, almost as if a dare of some kind. I did not yet know what to make of it.
“We could return twelve days from now,” I said, needing time to oversee a few things before coming back.
“Good, and then afterward, do you intend to leave her here or take her back with you?” she probed.
“That’s none of your concern.” Kole stepped up beside me, answering Edda with a stern voice, which she appeared unfazed by.
Edda’s tone dropped so that no one around except for us could hear her. “If you wish for her to be your puppet while keeping her under your watchful eye, then you will need to bring her here at normal intervals.” Ariana grabbed Edda’s hand, trying to hush her, but the old bag continued to speak. “She has no bond to the Bavadrins as their Leader Superior. Ariana will need to build those. Otherwise, there will be unrest amongst the people. They won’t want to follow a figurehead they do not know.”
“Given your customs, once she is Leader Superior, what choice will your people have but to follow her?” I asked.
Edda snorted a low laugh. “Was Fraser not handed to you, despite our customs?”
Ariana tensed, her steps turning ridged. “Edda,” she warned, glancing around as if to make sure no one else could have heard.
