“No one should know,” the light-haired man mumbled under his breath. He kept shooting her skeptical looks. Eira knew he’d be the hardest to win over.
She smiled warmly at Ferro. “I understand completely. I was not worthy then.” She bowed her head and Ferro hooked her jaw.
“But you will work to become worthy now?”
“With all my might.”
“Good, pet. I need you to show them how you can hear voices.”
“All right.” Eira nodded.
“This is what you will listen to.” The man to the left of the Champion stepped forward, holding out a golden medallion. Eira was once more reminded of the uncanny similarities between the Pillars and shadows. Both operated in the underbelly of Risen. Both were outside the law. And both wanted to test her with a stupid piece of metal.
Eira looked at the medallion, connecting with it easily. The senses surrounding her magic had definitely been sharpened by the pit. What sounded like a prayer began to echo in her ears and Eira repeated it word for word, even the parts about beseeching Yargen to rain fire down on her enemies and the heretics and apostates born from Raspian’s tomb.
“It’s true, then,” the blond whispered. “You can hear the words of those who came before.”
“She can hear the echoes of time in Yargen’s ears,” the Champion said in a way that sounded a lot like a decree.
“It is a gift,” Ferro said on her behalf.
The man holding the medallion was silent, staring in awe. Eira thought she should be tired of people’s stunned silence by now…but she wasn’t. Maybe it was just these men—her captors—being in awe of her that gave her a sense of power.
“She could do it,” the man holding the medallion whispered, glancing to the Champion. “She could absolve you.”
Absolve him?Absolve the Champion of what? Certainly the Pillars weren’t well loved in Risen. Did they mean some kind of religious absolution?
“These powers, who else recognizes them?” the Champion asked Ferro, speaking as though she was no longer there.
“She displayed them during the third trial on the Dark Isle. The Emperor and Empress of Solaris recognized them.”
“You would have us usetheirword?” The blond seemed appalled.
“I would have us use the allying of Solaris and Meru against both parties.” Ferro held out his arms. A crazed look had overtaken his face. “Think about it. Meru—Lumeria—has made the decision to connect herself with the offspring of Raspian in this foolish treaty of hers. We will use it against her. If she has convinced the people that the Solaris government is legitimate then she cannot refute their recognition of Eira’s powers.”
“How do we know the Emperor and Empress won’t go back on recognizing Eira’s abilities?” the man to the left of the Champion asked. “We can’t trust anyone from the Dark Isle.”
“The trial was public. Too many people saw the Empress recognize her for them to back down now.” Ferro stepped forward, speaking just to his father. “This will work. Then all of Risen will be forced to reconcile the lies they’ve been served. They will rejoice your return to status. They will see you as their Champion—as you were meant to be seen. And when you reignite the Flame—”
“Enough.” The Champion raised his hand, stopping Ferro. “You’ve given me much to think on.” His eyes darted between them. “You’re both dismissed.”
Ferro blindfolded her once more and escorted her back. Eira remained silent the entire way. Her time with the Pillars was forcing her to learn strategic silence was often best. It gave her an opportunity to think through, and carefully structure, her questions and statements. Moreover, the Pillars seemed like a silent bunch. She could be passing through a room with twenty of them and not know it.
Eira let out a sigh of relief when he removed the blindfold. For good measure, she clutched her chest as if she was fighting back nerves.
“Are you all right?” Ferro wrapped an arm around her, resting both his hands on her shoulders.
“Yes, I’m sorry.” Eira shook her head. “Standing before the Champion of Yargen, chosen by the goddess herself…” She staggered out of his embrace toward the window seat, sitting heavily. “The weight of his presence is too much for a mere mortal like me. After the pit, he…he looked glorious.” Eira looked up at Ferro, widening her eyes slightly. “And you—you’re—”
“Forgive me.” Ferro sat next to her, scooping up her hands. “I wanted to tell you, Eira, I did. But it wasn’t the time. And I…”
“Yes?” she pressed when his thought trailed off.
“I didn’t know how much you would mean to me—to all of us.”
“To you?” she repeated softly, eyes darting between their laced fingers and his face.
“I knew you loved me then.”
