Arawn shook his head. ‘We believe he sources the storm from within the Sawteeth. A great power that protects the entire dark army. He is too vital to walk the battlefield, to risk death.’
‘So why don’t you ask the gods to stop him?’ Ezer asked. ‘Stop the whole war in a flash.’
Aboomechoed from far away, but she felt it deep in her bones.
Arawn frowned. ‘The gods cannot interfere with the affairs of mortals. Lore tells us they aren’t the only ones, the Five. There are more. Countless rule over their own realms, represented by our Sacred Circle. Together they form a godhead of many and have laws of their own to abide by. To step down to our realm, to interfere like that … it is forbidden.’
‘They’re gods,’ Ezer said. ‘Nothing is forbidden.’
‘Every power must have a limit, Minder,’ Arawn said.
She supposed that was why the Sacred died so young.
Because with every pull of their magic, every invocation the gods granted … it took something from them.
Until they had nothing left to give.
They were nearly at the top of the staircase now.
Ezer refused to look down, to allow herself to feel that spike of hideous fear.
‘The gods cannot interfere every day. But theycan,once a century,’ Arawn said. ‘Much like Absolution each month, as a show of their love and grace, they give us Realmbreak. At the end of it, the gods grant our leader a single blessing. If the heart of the Sacred King or Queen that asks is pure, of course. The intent of the blessing must be gods-honoring.’
‘Pure,’ Ezer said, and raised her brows. ‘I don’t think there’s anymortal truly pure of heart. Nor are there truly pure intentions. We all harbor selfishness within.’
‘You think too little of people,’ Arawn said. ‘Too much time, perhaps, locked away in your tower.’
‘No,’ Ezer said. ‘I just know living creatures. And in the end, we are all the same, fighting for what is best forus,no matter what it takes. Even the ravens are selfish with the choices they make.’
Even kind Ervos had darkness that roiled within him.
Even the gentlest of doves could still peck a person hard enough to draw blood.
Arawn’s brow furrowed. ‘Think what you will of mortalkind,’ he said. ‘But I know the truth. The gods breathed life into us, countless Sacred, countlessnomages… and while we may not share magic, we share the outcome of this war. A war that must end in victory for the light. And if we hope to keep it alive, we must keep fighting for the Five. Until Realmbreak arrives, and with it, fresh hope.’
Ezer should consider herselflucky; Ervos had always said that she would get to experience a Realmbreak in her lifetime. Some called itThe Long Day,which felt more fitting. Because once a century, for three straight days, the sun never set. It was a time when the Five shed all their light on the realm, watching their creation so closely that they could see all the way through to their souls beneath.
If the Sacred had done their job of living in line with their laws … the gods would grant them a single, mighty blessing to hold them until the next Realmbreak.
‘In a few months,’ Arawn said, ‘we’ll be granted something that could turn the tide of this war.’
Ezer glanced up at him, then immediately looked away when their eyes met. He was far too handsome for his own good. And certainly forhers.‘And what will the perfect, pure-hearted Sacred beg of the gods for this time?’
‘That,’ Arawn said, ‘is not information you are privy to. But I’ll tell you this. What my father will ask for … and whatIwould ask for if I were already King …’ He blew out another breath that looked like smoke and turned his back on the war. ‘They would not be remotely close to the same.’
7
An ancient black stone temple sat atop the highest cliff.
It was lovely in its old age, the stones worn and uneven as if it had withstood the test of time. And so mighty, it could have housed hundreds of soldiers with room to spare. Her eyes followed it skyward, where she caught the tallest tower. It was covered in shimmering golden runes, with arched windows perfect for birds to soar to and from.
Home, sweet home,Ezer thought, and sighed aloud.
‘Am I to go up there and begin my work at once?’
‘It’s not a prison, Ezer,’ Arawn said, and she did not miss the way he said her name with far more ease than he had last time. ‘It’s a station, like for all soldiers in the north. You’re free to come and go as you please.’ He looked down at her ankles, her worn boots. ‘And no chains.’
A bit of relief flooded her at that.
