The weight of his crown took some adjustment to get used to. What would it feel like to carry the antlers and boughs together someday? He prayed to the Goddess that he would bear the heavy weight that would come with reuniting the two sides of Latiah under one ruler.
The burden to rule had always frightened him, thanks to his father’s example. As a child, he always feared that becoming the king would mean that he would become something like his father. Or worse.
Yet, the stories of his grandfather’s rule gave him hope. His grandfather was a just and kind king. He carried the antlers and boughs for nearly five hundred years, bringing peace to Latiah and beyond. A peace that had not lasted a decade after his father took his rule. What had his grandfather thought, lying in his rest, knowing that his kingdom had come to ruin?
Savine recalled a moment in his childhood, maybe at four or five, before his grandfather took to his rest. He had sensed the powers growing in Savine, and the darkness in his own son. His grandfather had secretly given him a blessing intended for a ruler to his heir. Even then, his grandfather had warned Savine of Jasper’s intentions to not allow Savine to inherit the throne, despite his grandfather’s beliefs that Savine was the true King of Latiah.
The night the trees woke Savine in a chant that resulted in stardust and white flowers cascading down on him, Savine had returned to pure chaos. His grandfather had passed from his rest to Arcadia, yet his father had no more capabilities of awakening the trees than ever. When his father had attacked Savine, when he killed Savine’s own mother in front of him, Savine had accidentally called the trees to rise against Jasper. That was the moment that spiraled everything into rebellion and civil war.
Once he had his own following, he had sought out stories from the older generation who saw his grandfather’s leadership. Riggins had shared countless stories of his grandfather’s compassion and good humor. Two rare traits among the Latian fae. Two traits he knew he failed at emulating.
Raikin interrupted Savine’s thoughts as they approached a clearing. “You should be proud of what you did today. Do not underestimate yourself any longer, Savine. You are worthy of carrying the boughs on your head.”
“My friend, you stood against that tyrant today, too. Pray to the Goddess that we will be rid of him soon enough.”
“I can feel it in my essence. The day approaches when you will take up the boughs and antlers. As a rightful ruler of Latiah should,” Raikin said. “I am honored to be at your side when we defeat Jasper.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself. I can do nothing without Avery or another plan.”
As Savine spoke, he heard the beat of massive wings. There was no doubt they were eagans. Savine looked at Raikin. His white hair fell over his shoulder as he cocked his head to the side. Savine nodded, knowing Raikin heard the same thing. Jay had scouted ahead and crested a small hill, panic in his eyes as he galloped back to Savine and Raikin. They had to get out of this clearing if they were to remain undetected.
Their best bet was to return to the woods behind them. But they were already nearly a mile into the open grasslands between the forests. Were they still in Latiah? There was a good chance that they’d already crossed the border that divided the open country before reaching the canyon country that led to the towers of Nephel.
“Are we still in Latiah?” Savine whispered as he pulled on Jari’s reins.
“We are at the border—I don’t know if we crossed it yet,” Jay murmured. His face looked panicked.
“Jay, make for the forest. If I am caught, return to Kyla. She must know that I am captive in the towers,” Savine commanded.
Before Jay responded, Raikin spoke.
“You are not returning to the towers, Savine. I will never see you imprisoned there again,” Raikin replied as he pulled his elk into a full gallop.
Jari passed him quickly, but it was too late.
Armed Nepheli guards descended on them. Savine saw a copper blur as a guard landed directly in front of him. Behind her, an enormous eagan with the same copper feathers landed and shrieked. Its talons dug into the ground, ripping up the grass as Jari reared. His antlers brushed Savine’s face before they were both back on the ground.
Savine shot tendrils of ivy over the guard while he leaped from Jari’s back. He landed hard on his feet, but was already unsheathing his sword from his side. The ivy twisted and pulled at the guard, wrapping those copper wings of hers in stifling green tangles. Savine held the blade to the guard’s neck as she put her hands up in the air. Raikin was right by Savine’s side. His sword was drawn, ready to protect his prince if it came to that.
“I have a message for you,” the guard sputtered as the vines coiled tighter against her skin. Why wasn’t she using her own power against him?
“A message? From that bastard who stole my soulmate?”
“A message from Avery,” the guard said. Savine’s essence curled back into itself. The vines loosened ever so slightly as Savine’s heartbeat raced in his chest at Avery’s name.
“How can I trust it’s from her?” Savine asked. He hated that he had no control over this situation. Hated that he had to trust his enemy with Avery’s life.
“What other choice do you have?” The guard looked at him as one of her bouncy copper curls slipped through his vines. So similar to Lilith’s.
Savine grunted, “Share the message.” She was right. What could he do? Of course, he’d listen as soon as the guard mentioned Avery.
“She says she is safe. King Rylo is treating her well and has extended his hospitality to you. I am to bring you and your companions to thetowers directly for you to join in the festivities scheduled in two-days’ time.”
Savine shot her a look that told her what he thought of Rylo’s hospitality. He’d rather be thrown into the Abyss than trust Rylo. He flashed his most arrogant grin at her.
It was all a cover up as his mind flashed to the last time he was in Nephel. The years of torture made bile rise in the back of his throat. Had he known what his father had done to him, had he known that Jasper manipulated Lilith’s mind, he would have tried to raise an uprising earlier. The devious betrayal that his father inflicted on him, and the Nepheli crown, left the invisible scars on his soul and body.
Those invisible lines only Avery felt. Only Avery knew how much they still hurt him.
