Let it walk beside you, not lead—a lesson I needed to remember for myself.
My ladies bowed.
“Before we leave, there’s something we must do.” Merrick opened the door and gestured for Lord Briscalar, Surren, Faelith, and Talvon to enter.
Taking in their stoic faces, I turned to Merrick, waiting to see where this was going.
“I need all of you.” Merrick gestured to Calista and Moira to join us in the open area near the fireplace. “You are the most loyal to Reyla and me.”
“Could I inquire what this is about?” Lord Briscalar asked, rocking on his heels.
The others watched solemnly, Moira sharing a concerned look with her mother.
“There have been more attempts on my queen's life,” Merrick said.
My ladies gasped as one. Surren and Talvon exchanged grim looks. Lord Briscalar only said, “Ah. I see.”
“With your permission.” Merrick's gaze sought mine. “Yours as well, my queen, I would like to form a sentinel's veil.”
“Excellent idea,” the lord said. “I'm happy to help in any way I can.”
Merrick held up his hand before questions could spill from the others. “Allow me to explain. We’re under attack from a foe I have not yet identified.” His gaze swept across each face and lingering on mine. “I will not allow this to continue, not as long as I can draw power and battle. What I ask today is no small thing. You’ll lend me your strength, your loyalty, your intent to protect us.”
“What is a sentinel veil?” Faelith sidled close to Surren, linking her hand with his.
Even Farris sat nearby, his head tilting this way and that, watching as if he was actually listening to the conversation.
“A sentinel's veil is a magical ward,” Merrick said, “forged from combined essence and intent. It’ll blanket the castle, shielding those inside from harm. Since you all will add to the veil and your loyalty is unquestioned, the veil will shield my queen and I in particular. It won't only repel attackers from the castle itself—it’ll watch, then warn me or my queen if someone is planning an attack.”
“To stop us from breaking the curse, right?” I asked. “We needthisprotection more than from anything else.”
“Exactly.” His gaze swept across our staff staring at the floor or wall, mentally blocked from hearing my question.
“A wonderful idea,” Lord Briscalar said gravely.
“My queen and I could form one together, but it’ll be stronger if it's infused with the power of those most loyal to us.” Merrickmet the gazes of each member of the group. “There are none I trust as much as you six. This spell will seep away a fraction of your power, infusing it into the veil.”
Faelith sucked in a breath, her wide-eyed gaze meeting Surren’s.
“However, I need your agreement to participate,” Merrick said. “Something like this cannot be forced. Know that I'm asking this of you; I'm not telling you that you have to do this. If you want to back away, there will be no punishment.”
“I'll do anything I can,” Lord Briscalar said, his eyes traveling from me to Merrick.
Each swore their willingness to be a part of this, and I'd never loved them more.
“Very well. Thank you.” Merrick knelt in the center of the room and pressed his palm to the stone floor. A ripple of his power flowed outward, slow at first, as the ground darkened and shifted under his knees. The stone softened, morphed, and then rose as luminous pillars formed from swirling sand and crackling energy. Four in total—one of solid rock, unmoving and strong; another of shimmering water, twisting in perfect, endless flows. The third formed a flickering tower of firelight, heat pulsing with each breath. And the last was crafted from an ethereal column of air, its swirling strands barely visible as they danced and shifted.
Merrick rose to stand in the middle of the pillars. “The four elements. Each represents not only their intrinsic power but the foundation of the world we inhabit. Together, they form a balance, one that will soon be unyielding and steadfast. This is the balance that will guard this castle.”
I moved past the pillars to stand at his side. He linked our fingers and squeezed my hand.
“They’re nothing without the strength of those they serve,”Merrick said. “Each of you will need to focus your intent into one. Your loyalty. A bit of your magic. A fraction of your very essence.”
A shiver coursed through me. This wasn’t an ordinary kind of magic; it must be ancient.
One by one, our friends moved closer. Lord Briscalar strode to the pillar of stone, his calm, commanding presence aligning naturally with its unshakable mass. Closing his eyes, he pressed one hand to its surface, and the rock responded with a low, steady hum that vibrated through the floor beneath us.
Talvon walked over to the flame with a confident stride. He knelt first before standing to grip the fire pillar. His deep voice hummed with an incantation, a tune that lit the flames with golden streaks, making it look brighter and fiercer than before.
