Yet, in her, Vi could feel something different and distinct. Something that hadn’t been there before. She could feel her own powers of fire and light. They crackled under her skin and sprang forth with a command. But there was also something more.
Something Vi had long since decided was the power of Yargen itself.
Holding out her hand in the early morning light, Vi focused on pooling that magic within her palm. Yargen had entrusted her with the remnants of her power from an old world. So why shouldn’t she be able to use it like any other magic?
A hazy blue glow collected around her fingers. Vi narrowed her eyes and took a slow breath. She worked to distance herself from each inhale and exhale. The slightest jostle would disrupt the intense focus it had taken to get this far.
Tiny flashes and motes of light appeared in the thickening haze of magic. It felt as though she held a small microcosm in her fingers. Every muscle was rigid, her joints aching from holding herself in a precise form.
More power.Vi attempted to dredge it up from every nook and cranny. Her hand began to tremble; sweat beaded on her brow. She was going to lose it.
All at once, the power snapped back into place with apopshe could feel in the center of her chest. Like the rush of Deneya’s spiced liquor, Vi shivered as it flooded her veins and made her head spin. Pulling out Yargen’s power at all was nearly impossible. But if she had more…
If she had the sword.
Vi pushed the thought from her mind. Everything was going according to plan. The last thing Vi would do was muck it up by seeking out the sword.
She’d be reunited with it soon enough, anyway. But first, she had to ensure Fiera survived through her childbirth.
Shrugging on a cropped vest over her tailored, sleeveless shirt and tight-fitting pants, Vi departed her room for the day. She ran through the day’s obligations in her mind: she would oversee the soldiers’ training, get the reports from Euclan on the city guard, then ensure rounds and rotations for the soldiers were in order.
Zira had done a lot more to keep the castle and city guard running than Vi had given her credit for. Since Vi was the one to send her away, it was now her responsibility to oversee those obligations. Luckily, she’d been trained for the majority of her life to delegate, plan, and lead.
“Euclan, tell me what I need to know,” Vi demanded as she entered the cramped guard office next to the training field.
A silver pot of steaming kaha was set beside two clay mugs, adjacent to two bowls heaped with steaming rice topped with egg and shallot. She’d begun to form a routine, and fortunately the castle staff had picked it up quickly. It made it easy for Vi to remain efficient in these busy mornings.
“Twenty guards have requested leave.”
“Twenty?” Vi asked as she poured kaha for them both. When she was younger, she would’ve taken it with some kind of cream or sweetener. But much like she’d found a taste for liquor, Vi had discovered she liked the bitter liquid first thing in the morning. It sharpened her senses even after the longest nights. “That seems a little high, doesn’t it?”
“Bad timing, but most of the men have never interacted with each other. Thank you.” Euclan took his kaha, drinking it slowly. “I thought perhaps it could be something nefarious… but four of them are imminently awaiting children—”
“So many babies,” Vi murmured.
“The post-war phenomenon,” he chuckled.
Vi ran her nail along the edge of her mug.Children. She’d always expected she’d have some of her own for the purpose of heirs at the very least. But now… Vi pushed the thoughts from her mind.
“In any case,” Euclan continued. “I thought perhaps it could be the Knights of Jadar infiltrating our men. But that doesn’t seem to be the case.”
“I appreciate your vigilance.” The Knights of Jadar had been quiet. Vi suspected they were off licking their wounds and planning their next attack. “Let’s continue to play it safe—take twenty of the best from the castle tonight for the city patrols.”
“You don’t need them here?”
“I’ll figure it out,” she said confidently. “Now, what’s next on the docket?”
Vi shoveled food into her mouth as Euclan ran through the day’s obligations. Her bowl was clean when he finished.
“As usual, thank you for your time.”
“It’s my job, now.” Vi wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
“You’re a natural. We’re lucky to have someone like you to replace—” Euclan was interrupted by the training-side door opening.
Vi’s eyes met a familiar pair of dark orbs. She’d know that terrible, spiked haircut anywhere.
“Forgive my intrusion.” Luke gave a low bow.
