“I am chosen by the Mother to defend this world,” Vi repeated softly, hoping this act of exposing a part of her true nature didn’t adversely affect the future she was working toward. For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, Vi trusted Fiera and Zira more deeply than she likely should. “You will not understand who—what—I am. But you must keep what you have seen a secret. The fate of your world depends on it.”
Zira took another step back. But Fiera was less shaken. She delicately rested the tip of the sword on the stone floor and sank to one knee. She bowed her head.
“Chosen of the Mother, you have my allegiance.”
“Fiera—”
“Zira,” Fiera interrupted sharply. “You saw her. You witnessed her magic. Her blue eyes. Her communing with the sword itself. You must have felt it too—the sensation of fate.”
Zira looked between Fiera and Vi. She swayed slightly, but dropped to her knee after only a moment’s hesitation. “My fate is linked with yours, Fiera. It was declared by the Mother. If you are loyal to her, so am I.”
Vi took a slow breath. Yargen’s power still surged through her. The blade beckoned her with whispering invitations only her ears could hear.
“I require the blade.”
“Require it?” Fiera lifted her head first, then the rest of her. Zira followed the princess back to her feet as well. “This blade has been in my family for—”
“Hundreds of years,” Vi finished. “Yet you do not know where it came from… not really. Nor what it can be used for.” She motioned to the sword. “In that blade is a great and terrible power. The longer you wield it, the more you risk it twisting your body and mind, as well as the bodies and minds of those around you. It calls out to the false Knights of Jadar who rely on lore they don’t understand in an attempt to return themselves to prominence.”
“I cannot give it to you.”
“You must,” Vi insisted.
“The princess said she cannot, so she cannot.” Zira stood, her hand back on the sword at her hip.
“The sword will be used in my wedding to the Emperor as a ceremonial piece,” Fiera began. For the first time, Vi saw doubt on the ever-self-assured woman’s face. “But… after… I had intended to seal it away. Even had you not said so, Yullia, I’m aware that this weapon holds a great power that mortal men aren’t meant to hold. Perhaps, I might entrust it to you at that time.” The princess shook her head, as though she was dismissing the notion as soon as it came to her. “No… I must think on it.”
Vi wanted to insist on Fiera’s compliance, but she’d already made progress. The longer the princess simmered on what had transpired here, the closer she’d be to realizing the truth of Vi’s words.
For now, an openness to giving up the sword would have to be good enough for Vi. Pressing the matter, looking desperate, wouldn’t suit her.
Fiera returned the sword to its scabbard, the scabbard to the wall. No sooner was it back on its pegs than footsteps sounded in the hall. All three women turned, startled.
Two figures approached from the darkness of the hall: Tiberus and Denja.
“There you are, my bride.” Tiberus, once more, went immediately for Fiera. For him, nothing else seemed to exist in a room when she was there. “I have been worried to the sun and back for you.”
“I’m fine.” Fiera squeezed his forearms lightly and took a step away. Even though she wore a smile on her lips, Vi could see the discomfort behind her eyes. She didn’t appreciate the suddenly crowded room any more than Vi did.
“Denja told me what happened on the streets, and that you refused your guard detail.”
“I had a guard detail.” Fiera motioned to Vi and Zira. “Why don’t we all head to a sitting room to discuss these matters? It’ll be far more comfortable.”
“What is this place anyway? You’ve not taken me here before…” The statement trailed off as the Emperor looked around. His attention was quickly consumed by the sword. “This was what you held that night… This must be the Sword of Jadar.”
These weapons attract power-hungry men. Vi keenly heard the words of her father once more. If Tiberus’s expression was any indication, the Knights of Jadar were no longer the only ones who were out for the sword.
“Yes,” Fiera said begrudgingly as she stepped in front of her betrothed. She rested her hands lightly on his upper arms in an attempt to guide him away. “We shall use it at our wedding to bless our union and then it will be sealed away forever.”
“Here? Will it be here?” Tiberus asked, a little too eagerly.
“No, I will find a new spot for it.” Fiera swept her gaze across the room, landing on Denja. Vi didn’t miss the subtle confusion that furrowed Fiera’s brow. “Too many people appear to know of this location.” Then, like magic, her whole expression softened. Fiera gave Tiberus the sweetest, most endearing smile one could imagine. “Now, my love, come with me to procure some refreshments? I’m both parched and starved from all the excitement this morning.”
“Yes, the excitement…” Tiberus looked back to Fiera and his focus returned. “You must tell me what happened.”
“Of course.” Fiera linked their arms, leading Tiberus out of the room. Denja fell into step behind, Vi and Zira pulling up the rear. Fiera locked the door and Vi could feel thepopof magic as she lifted the curtain of flame in the hallway once more.
“Zira,” Vi said lightly, loud enough for Denja to hear but not so loud that it distracted Fiera and Tiberus. “Do you have time now to show me that sword technique you were telling me about earlier?”
