Kole came around to my side, keeping me upright. “You’re making it worse, Iver.” His words were a growl in my ear.
Suddenly, my vision returned, and my legs stabilized beneath me.
“That’s it,” Iver whispered, and my eyes widened as I watched him standing there with my hand in his. Somehow, he manipulated the thread of Clause’s influence, figuring it out in mere seconds.
With every beat of my heart, I felt stronger. “You are remarkable,” I murmured in awe of him.
Iver’s lip twitched before his eyes opened. “You hear that, little Sparrow? Your leader finds me remarkable!” He called out to her while keeping his sights on me.
Kiora snorted. “She has clearly spent too much time in the Sidhe lands or has hit her head.”
Ivers smile widened at her reply before he addressed me. “I cannot undo what Clause did, but I altered it, allowing ample room for you to feel well enough to move on your own and conjure.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at him before turning my attention to Kole, who gently released me so I could test out my ability to stand without support.
The world felt firm beneath my feet. Every pulse of my heart sent strength through me, no longer limited by the Sidhe King’s conjuring.
Surprise touched nearly everyone except for Iver, who shrugged a carefree shoulder, not the least bit astonished by what he accomplished.
“Well, you certainly look better,” Kole observed.
“What of him?” Eislyn nodded towards Soren, monitoring him. Suddenly, the awe of Iver’s gift evaporated, leaving behind a tension that had always been.
I turned to the Dune’s Clan leader. “Well? What is it you would like to do at this point?”
Brown eyes settled on me. “The choice you give me is to side with you or be killed here and now?” He asked, his voice calm, as though not at all troubled by what he said.
I shook my head. “That is the choice the Sidhe King gave you. I am asking you to stand with us. It is a request, but not your only option.”
His head tilted while he viewed me. “What other options are there?”
“You can leave if you prefer. There is no need to involve yourself in a war you do not wish to take part in.” I ensured that the next words spoken were clear. “However, you must knowthat if you try to stop us or harm us, then I cannot ensure your safety. We will fight for what we believe is right.”
Soren looked out over the world, beyond the balcony. When he turned back, there was an edge to his eyes. “I am Soren, leader of the Dunes Clan. I bow to no one.”
Iver tensed. “Then I imagine your neck is sore from the strain of bending to Clause’s rule.”
“Indeed, it is.” Soren’s gaze cut to me. “If I stand with you, then I stand at your side, not beneath you.”
Kole chuckled, the sound void of humor. “You have some gall, talking as if you are not standing at the edge of a balcony with an awfully far drop to the ground and are not extraordinarily outnumbered.”
“It’s okay Kole. The Dunes Clan has always been free. I think it is time that they return home.” I took a step towards Soren. “I will uphold our old ways. You and your people will remain free, and in good faith, we will help one another whenever we can.”
Soren nodded. “I accept your terms.”
“Lovely,” Kiora muttered from the other balcony. Her bow and arrow relaxed in her hands. “I’m going to head over to you.” She then vanished within the castle.
“You certain we can trust him?” Eislyn asked, her voice low as she glanced at the Dune’s Clan leader.
“Yes.”
“And if we learn we can’t, then we kill him,” Kole stated.
Soren peered at him. “You can try, but I need only to land one good blow with a blade to end your life. You, on the other hand, would likely need several before you can even hope of cutting my skin.”
New tension coiled around us.
“Our Ariana can simply steal your breath away,” Iver smirked.
