Otavio sighs. “Diplomatic issues. Unaware you were its real master.”
Zorwal snorts. “After all these years, you still haven’t realized that just because you can lie, it doesn’t mean I’ll believe the absurdities coming out of your mouth.”
“I was truly unaware of your position.”
Even from here, I can see Zorwal’s eyebrow raising. “Then how did you find me?”
“Can’t you feel it? Our minds. Just glimpses, for now, but soon it will be much clearer. It’s how I found you.”
Zorwal rubs his chin. “Nothing’s clear yet, except thathe’s been awakened.”
The wordhemakes me shiver, even if I don’t know who they’re talking about.
“It means we can find him.” Otavio’s voice is quiet, careful.
“He’ll find us in his own time, once he’s strong enough.”
“Ifwe want him to.Ifwe want him to rule over us.”
Zorwal stares at Otavio. “What would be the alternative?”
“If… someone wanted to strike him, imprison him, this would be the perfect time. We could go on with our lives. Undisturbed. Still powerful.”
Zorwal pauses, then laughs. “Except that nobody would be brave, foolish, or capable enough to strike our king. Or are you suggesting treason?”
“I’m stating facts. Nothing’s certain.” Right. As if Otavio wasn’t suggesting attacking this king or whatever while they can.
“What is certain is that he’ll rise and lead us, even if he’ll want us to stay far from him. Do you have a problem with that, Tiurian?”
“I’ve sworn an oath to the brotherhood and I keep it, fae.” Otavio is using his superior tone, the same he used when explaining something obvious.
Zorwal sneers. “Except that your word is worth nothing.”
“It’s as powerful as my will to survive. There’s no need for you to cross me. We’re stronger together.”
“I’d rather be as far apart as possible from you and even from our honorable king. A basic matter of…” Zorwal narrows his eyes. “Survival instinct.”
“While it’s true that we must keep physical distance, we’ll still be joined through our minds.”
“Yes, the same minds our king can see, the same minds where he would find any trace of dissent. If there was any, of course.” Zorwal gives Otavio an amicable and yet chilling smile.
“Neither of us would be so foolish.”
They stare at each other in silence for a moment, perhaps trying to read each other’s intentions. I wonder if Zorwal is truly loyal to this king or if he’s just afraid of trying to defeat him.
Otavio doesn’t look too thrilled that he’s been awakened, even if he’s being careful to circumvent any suggestion of treason. Thisisimportant information, and yet I don’t even know if it should fall in Mirella’s hands.
Zorwal is the one who breaks the silence. “The heart. It was not destroyed, like we thought. You found it, did you not?”
Otavio blinks, not even trying hard to look innocent. “What makes you say so?”
“Don’t play silly games. The bonds were cut. Only the Heart of Magic can do that, can affect the entire land like that.”
Otavio’s tone is calm as he says, “Our minds will become more and more open to each other. You’ll soon find out all about the heart.”
Zorwal glares at Otavio. “I could strike you, you know? Your magic is no match to mine.”
“If self inflicting pain is something you like, strike me, Zorwal. You know it won’t kill me.”
