A brave soul called out, “What…what of the others? The other Dakkari?”
Syris squeezed my hand. Across the way, I saw that Nevin was as still as a statue. But the moment the Karag ended her question, his gaze cut straight to me.
Alaryk said, “They will remain and see out the terms of the Accords.”
More hushed protests rose up.
“And what if they snap like Ryak did?” came another voice. Whoever spoke stepped forward. A male that I recognizedworked in the forges, making plating for the Elthika. “They cannot be trusted. I, for one, want them gone.”
A chorus of tentative agreement floated up from the crowd with his words, even in the presence of Samryn.
“That one there was a friend of his,” the male continued, gesturing over to Nevin. “What’s to say he won’t do the same?”
Nevin’s jaw tightened as he fastened his eyes on the male. “Because I am Dakkari, I am now a killer?” he asked.
“Your friend was. We all know you arebothtrained soldiers,” someone else argued. “I can’t believe Elysom would approve of warriors for the exchanges, especially to come here to the Arsadia of all places. This is sacred land. Ryak’s act defiled it, spilling Karag blood here.”
“I think they should be sent back to Dakkar,” came another voice.
Voices rose, all of which were in agreement, as my heart thudded harder and harder in my chest.
“They will not be sent away,” came Alaryk’s words, final and quiet, but they carried across the entire crowd, drawing scoffs and protests. And I knew that what he meant was thatIwouldn’t be sent away.
You’remore valuable to me than anyone else here right now. I won’t deny that. And I will do whatever it takes to keep you herewas what he’d told me last night.
“We don’t need them. There’s no reason for them to stay!” came a rebuttal.
Alaryk fastened his gaze on me. He could only protect my secret for so long, couldn’t he? But the crowd was becoming louder and louder, even in the presence of Samryn, all spurred on by each other.
“Can I speak?”
Only belatedly, I realized it wasmyvoice that billowed out across the crowd. Heads turned.
Syris hissed, “What are you doing?”
My heart was in my throat, but all I could feel was Alaryk’s eyes. His arms crossed over his chest, regarding me over the crowd. He shook his head subtly, warning edged in his gaze.
I took in a deep breath, frozen in place when I saw that most had turned to regard me, whispers weaving through the hundreds of people in attendance on the landing field. All of Grymia…looking directly at me. I was on the incline of the hill, so everyone could see me clearly.
What in Kakkari’s name possessed me to speak?I thought, dazed.
“I…I’m sorry about Gethrin’s death,” I found myself saying, my voice rising. “We all came here to Grymia together, to…to learn from you and to exchange any knowledge we ourselves have. That was always our intention and purpose here. What Ryak did…it’s inexcusable. I have no idea why he did what he did. I don’t know him well enough to be a judge of his character, but I do know that…” My eyes flicked to Nevin, whose jaw was clenched, his eyes narrowed in a similar expression to Alaryk’s. One tinged inwarning.
I swallowed, hard, closing my eyes for a brief moment to center my thoughts. “I do know that I feel equally responsible for Gethrin’s death.”
Confused murmurs erupted.
“Amaia,” came Tarkosh’s quiet voice. “Be careful.”
I opened my eyes. Maybe it was the guilt I’d felt lingering from the night before, or maybe it was being confronted with all of Grymia, with everything I feared. Alaryk couldn’t keep my secret much longer, but I realizedIdidn’t want to be afraid anymore. I’d lived my entire life in fear of others knowing the truth. I’d tamped down my magic so deep because of it.
And maybe if I hadn’t been so afraid…Gethrin would still be alive.
And so it felt like my own punishment—while also being in control of my own freedom—when I said, “I possess heartstonemagic. I have the ability to heal. I could’ve saved Gethrin’s life. But I was too afraid to do it.”
Gasps and a cacophony of voices erupted through the crowd at my declaration.
I heard Tarkosh’s deep sigh.
