“I do and do not, you could say. I know him well through you, despite him never really praying to me. Well, I take that back, he did pray earnestly to me once. Right on the eve of battle when you faced the Demon King.”
Edwin offering up such a prayer didn’t surprise me in the slightest. He would have done so on my behalf, if nothing else.
“He’s very cute,” Vuheia mentioned. “Incredibly insightful, as well. I’ve always thought him a good match for you.”
I’ve always thought of Edwin as the intellectual powerhouse between the two of us.
She laughed softly, the sound warm and throaty. “You’re smart as well, James, but I do agree with you. You have good sense and charisma, a stunningly rare combination for nobility. But you’re right, Edwin has the right skills and intelligence to make an exceptional ruler. If you had been allowed to marry him in the first life, I daresay your reign would have been that much better.”
Grief welled quickly, my throat constricting. I battled the emotion back down, as this wasn’t the time or place for it.I have to agree. Vuheia, I will marry him this time. Will you give your blessing?
“I will, a thousand times over. Don’t let anyone stop you, James.”
I beamed, so excited and thrilled I wished I could hug her.I promise you, nothing short of death will stop me this time. I’m exhausted accommodating everyone else. I will do as I please this life.
“As you should. Also, be careful. We—by that I mean the gods in general—have felt an insidious demonic energy flowing in the world of men. I cannot pinpoint the source, as it is very subtle. Unmistakable, though.”
I didn’t like the sound of this.Should I check in regularly in case you do find something?
“The caution would not be remiss.”
I’ll do so, then. For tonight, I’ll go, but let me know through the priests if you need me for anything.
I felt a kiss on top of my head, soft and almost motherly, before her presence retreated. “Such concern for me is why you are my favorite.”
I let her go, grinning. Really? That was why?
Opening my eyes, I turned to look at Edwin, who had knelt down next to me. His brow was furrowed in concentration for a moment longer, then his eyes opened and found mine.
“I didn’t expect her to speak to me directly,” he said with this shocked air about him. “Nimus is never so direct.”
“Vuheia’s always been very hands-on. Possibly because so few worship her in times of peace, she’s able to devote more personal attention to her followers? What did she tell you?”
“To not let anyone bully me into the wrong decisions. She said I have good judgement, she expects me to use it, and the first life will repeat all over again if I let myself be swayed by what others want. And apparently, I’m not doing a very good job at protecting you,” Edwin muttered as he stood up. “Something I need to correct.”
I stood as well, looking at him curiously. Protect me? What an interesting thing for him to say. As a prince and former king, I was accustomed to people protecting me, of course. My soldiers, my knights, were all people who protected me so I could enjoy a full night’s sleep and a moment’s peace. That said, I’d never seen Edwin as my protector but rather someone I must protect at all costs. To hear him say those words felt odd, but at the same time, I understood. Edwin protected me in a different way by not letting other people take advantage of me.
Was there something I had overlooked? Or he had?
Catching my expression, he murmured, “She gave me a different perspective, shall we say. We can talk about it more in the carriage.”
“Ah, one of those conversations, eh? All right, well, I’ve done what I came to do. Let us return.”
On the way out the door, I waved goodbye to the priestess and paused long enough to cram a good deal of money into the donation box. I had a feeling they’d used up most of what I’d given them for the garden, and I wanted their coffers to be flush enough to handle any other emergencies or issues they were juggling. Satisfied, I went through the door, then paused again so I could walk hand in hand with Edwin. He slid his hand into mine and tangled our fingers together.
“James, Vuheia mentioned she felt demonic energy on the land. I would have thought the portal, but surely she would have felt the energy there. That’s the first place I’d look.”
“Hmm, good point, but she said she couldn’t pinpoint where it was coming from. So likely not there. Speaking of the portal, when was the last update we had?”
“Two days ago. They’re still trying to figure out why the river has gone dry.”
“Doesn’t that mean the ward is steadily weakening?”
“Well, yes, although the mages are doing their best to offset it. Still, if the presence is not at the portal, where could it be coming from? Should we inform the priests? Not only Vuheia’s but send notice to all temples? Make sure they are also aware of the situation and to keep an eye out for demonic energy?”
“Oh, good idea. I wonder if they know how to spot or handle possession?”
“Is this not something normally taught in temples?”
