Ferro placed his hands over hers, one on the dagger’s grip, the other on the scabbard, and he unsheathed it. There was a thin line of red down the center of the blade. It looked like a rod of ruby had been set down along the fuller.
“This is the blade my father used to kill the last Voice. Knowing the flame was stolen, and likely extinguished, he preserved some of her blood.” Ferro spoke with excitement, as if he wasn’t outlining a grim tale. His grip tightened around hers. “He is the Champion of Yargen. And with this and the Ash of Yargen—”
“Ash of Yargen?” Eira pretended she’d never heard the words before. Ferro seemed to buy it.
“Her power had crystallized to seal Raspian away. But when your people set him free of his tomb, it fractured and turned to dust.” Ferro cupped her cheek. “We have all we need. Now you will help me ascend as we reignite her flame, together. Then, they will not be able to deny my father and he will rule this land in her light.”
“Your father… Ulvarth?” she breathed. “Is it truly him?”
Ferro nodded slowly.
“I heard that Ulvarth was…”
“Dead?” He arched his eyebrows. “Did you hear that from the light traitor Deneya?”
“Among other lies and slander that I don’t believe,” she said quickly.
“I have no doubt.” Ferro chuckled. “They think him dead, because they left him to die. He fell from the great tower of his estate and into the goddess’s loving arms. Then, he was reborn.”
Just once. Could he not speak in cryptic riddlesjust once? “He fooled them into thinking he was dead?”
Ferro had a knowing glint to his eyes. He’d been involved somehow in Ulvarth’s escape, Eira would bet her life on it. “I am his general, his loyal servant, his right hand and blood. I ensured his death would be nothing more than an illusion—but an effective one at that. And now he will return from the dead to the people, to be their Champion.” He rested his hands on her shoulders. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“Good. We are gaining control of the room. The last true Voice gave me a word of power for this moment. Wait here. You will know when the time is right.” Ferro leaned forward and placed a sweet kiss on her forehead. Eira tasted bile in the back of her throat. He left her, dagger in hand.
She should go inside. She should grab his arm and demand he go out on the dance floor with her.One dance before we usher in the new world, she could imagine herself saying. The Pillars were on the move. The vacant balconies down the castle meant the shadows were on the move as well.
But Eira was stuck. The golden dagger glinted in the moonlight. The ruby line of blood from the last Voice—if Ferro was to be believed—ran down its center. She could spare a minute. One minute to find out if she was right. If there was more to be heard of that conversation and what it held.
Magic gathered in her palm. A thin sheen of frost coated the dagger. It dripped onto the stones around her feet as her powers smothered it. The darkness grew around her and Eira welcomed it. She had learned how to feel deeper magic in that pit and honed the skill with her friends.
“Tell me everything,” Eira breathed. A connection she’d never felt before clicked into place.
I’ve been waiting for you,Ferro’s distant voice said, just as it had the first time.
You know I can’t move freely—that was the Champion’s voice…Ulvarth. Eira could recognize it now thanks to her time with the Pillars.
I know, that’s why I was worried. I thought you might have lost your way out. Way out… This conversation must’ve occurred when Ulvarth was still in captivity.
They are none the wiser of my movements, or our plans, Ulvarth preened. He had been able to sneak out of his prison without anyone knowing. He had time and means to arrange his “death.”
What are my orders?
Always so eager. Let me just look at you a moment; it’s not often I get to see my son.You are growing up strong and capable. You will be worthy, when the time comes.
I pray I shall be.
That time draws near.
Ferro snarled softly.Lumeria’s ambition will be her demise. She ignores the evil that threatens to consume us all. We are the only ones who can save this land.
We alone shall stand against the darkness,Ulvarth agreed.
Ferro gasped. This must have been when he was taking the dagger from Ulvarth.Father, are you sure?
Yes. We must implement our plans.
