The discussion continued for several more minutes, but everyone ultimately agreed with my brother’s plan.
I knew they were right not to rush into Soltaris unprepared.
Still, I hated the idea of waiting. Whatever had to be done, I just wanted to get it over with.
The others dismissed themselves one by one. Phantom followed Eamon out—likely to go pay a visit to Eamon’s little sister, Brynn, who was notorious for spoiling him with treats. I couldn’t find the energy to get up myself. Aleks fixed me with a lingering, concerned look as he started to leave with his cousin, but I waved him on.
My brother and I were soon alone in the courtyard.
To my surprise, Bastian didn’t insist on talking more about our plans, or lecturing me about any of the latest rash decisions I’d made.
We sat together for another hour, mostly in comfortable silence. He pulled weeds from the beds of white and silver flowers, muttering occasionally to himself. His focus remained razor-sharp even as the hour grew late, but I nearly dozed off watching the moths fluttering around the torches by the gate.
Finally, I peeled myself off my chair and trundled back inside, heading for my room. I’d nearly made it to my hall when I heard Eamon’s voice calling my name.
I didn’t want to stop walking. I just wanted to collapse face first into my bed and ignore all of the questions and uncertainties circling us.
Plus, I had a bad feeling I knew what he wanted to talk about.
Steeling myself, I turned to meet him, all the same. “What is it, Eamon?”
“There’s something else I think we need to discuss, regarding what happened in Midna.”
I kept my face as impassive as I could.
“I didn’t want to mention it in front of all the others, but…”
“But what?”
“It’s about Aleks.”
“What about him?” The words came out harsher than I meant them to.
He was unfazed by my tone, his own voice calm and deliberate as he said, “A sentier is an echo of the most powerful magic any Vaelora has ever been capable of. And he destroyed the one in that palace with hardly any effort at all.”
“So?”
“So, he shouldn’t have been able to do that, Nova. Not if he’s merely a hollowed-out victim that slipped out of Lorien’s hold. That sort of skill lies with the Vaelora alone—only one of their own could unravel such a creature. And even then, I wouldn’t think a Vaelora of the Light persuasion would be able to undo a divine Shadow creature so easily. Which meanssomethingis making Aleksander more powerful than he should be. And something about the alignment of that power seems…off.”
I thought, unwillingly, of the encounter with Lord Renvar. Of how Aleksander’s magic had seemed alarmingly powerful then, too.
Eamon’s expression darkened. “There may be more of Lorien still clinging to him than we’d hoped. That, or something else is going on. Something stranger. I just…I just want you to be careful around him, that’s all.”
“I can read the energy of objects and organisms,” I reminded him. “And I know what Aleks and his magic feel like; I know these things better than I know myself.”
“Magic can play tricks.”
“Yes, but he’s proven strong enough to break through in the past,” I insisted. “He wouldn’t let Lorien play such a trick on me. I can tell the difference between the two of them.”
“I hope you’re right.” I could tell he didn’t think I was right at all. “But…remain cautious.”
“I will.” I tried to keep the bitterness from my voice, knowing he was only trying to look out for me. “Thank you.”
He gave a respectful dip of his head before walking away.
I stood alone in the hallway for a long moment, willing the tension out of my body through several deep breaths.
I wanted to believe I was right. That there was no chance Aleks wouldn’t find a way to warn me if he posed any danger to me or to all the others I cared about.
