She says, “Howl wore his heartstones close to his chest, but you must wear them close to your mind because that is where you fight your battles.”
She hands me the tiara, but I say, “The heartstones are too big to fit into this.”
“Currently, yes. You must cleave them into smaller pieces the same way you must break down your misconceptions and your fears.”
I swallow. “How do I do that?”
“Take each one in your hand and seek the power you need. But start with Incorruptible.”
I reach out and grasp the diamond heart. It fits neatly into my fist, smooth and oval. She is strength. I read her journal. She wanted to fight back against the humans who forced the elves and gargoyles from Earth’s surface. She had the strength of will to do what was right for her people even though her heart told her to run away with Prime. Later, she chose to become the moon that lights the way for gargoyles at night.
I’m reminded of the old elven song:spin gold, shelter silver. Incorruptible was a protective force, not an aggressive one. I felt that force when I reached out to burn Harem Hall, to protect the females from the horrors of their past. I felt it when I was trying to protect myself from Grayson Glory. Is it as simple as banishing fear from my mind? As simple as trusting myself?
I open my fist.
The diamond quietly splits into two. And then two more.
I hold out my palm for the other heartstones and they come to me, each of them splitting neatly into quarters.
I press each one against the tiara, using my Prime power to mold the gold and the heartstones like putty beneath my fingertips, smoothing out the corners and tightly encircling each piece of stone and binding them together. I make sure to place the Prime pieces closest to the Incorruptible ones. When I’m finished, the tiara is lined with colorful gems set out in a neat row. Even the pieces of my Virtuous heart have regained their full green glow. I slip the tiara around my forehead.
Gretel beams at me. “Now tell me what happened to Virtuous.”
Some of my happiness slips away. “An elf named Grayson Glory attacked me in the form of a talon crow. It happened on top of the mountain. I didn’t realize, but on its first swoop, the crow knocked my Virtuous heart away from me.”
“It attempted to break the tether between you and your heartstones.” She nods, deep in thought. “There is only one way to do that: through an opposing heartstone.”
“But elves can’t hold gargoyle heartstones.”
“True, but they can hold elven heartstones.” She sighs. “Do you recall Howl ever asking the elves for any of their heartstones?”
“No… Wait… Yes. He made a deal in exchange for killing Baelen Rath. He wanted the Rath and Mercy heartstones.”
“Mercy is your elven House?”
“Ye-es.”
“Then Grayson Glory has taken possession of your heartstone and forcibly tethered it to himself. If he has done the same with the Rath heartstone, then he is protected against your power.”
“So I can’t beat him.”
She leans forward. “Of course you can beat him. But you will need your Lightsworn heart to help you come up with a plan.”
Lightsworn is strategy. I definitely need to repeat my strengths like a mantra.
She fixes her gaze on Bethany. “My girl, you won’t repeat a word of this outside this house. It’s up to Supreme Incorruptible how she handles this threat. Panic plays no part in the solution.”
When Bethany nods her agreement, Gretel sighs, reclining. “Now, you’ll forgive this old lady, but I need to rest. All this thinking has worn me out. Bethany, please? I need a nap.”
“Wait, please.” I stop her before she stands. “Come back with me to the deep springs. You can heal your eye.”
She shakes her head. “Thank you, Supreme Incorruptible, but some wounds are important reminders of what we’re fighting for.”
Bethany helps Gretel upstairs, telling me she’ll be right back. When she returns, she hands me a large piece of fresh bread and says she will take me back to Indira before Indira comes looking for me.
I still don’t know how I’m going to get back to the palace. As I pick my way up the street, I say, “The power of flight would have been useful.”
Bethany giggles. “You don’t need it.”
“Actually, I think I might.”
She points. “Nope.”
The Phoenix is a bright flare in the distant sky, but its voice is even clearer in my mind.
Princess, you need me.
I do, my friend. I will be ready to fly when you reach me.
I hope Erit and Indira will be too, because I need to get back to Baelen and tell him about Grayson Glory’s threat.
