“And I can read the runes,” Seren adds enthusiastically.
I nod, taking in the information, weighing it all. “And how exactly is the Flame-heart preserved?”
Seren’s eyes flick between Rowan and me, slightly uncertain. “We don’t really know,” she admits. “But we assume it’s kept in some sort of vessel, but Rowan found no archive, and I have nothing in the few books I was able to bring,” Seren concedes.
I tap my chin in thought, eyes dropping to the table.
Eventually, I lift my gaze, pinning Rhyven with my stare. “Rhyven, I guess it’s your chance to prove your loyalty—we leave for the waterfall when the sun rises.”
CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX
KAEL
I don’t finishup in Council Hollow until the early hours of the morning.
I told the council everything about the visions at The Grove—everything about Elyssara.
The council had their hesitations about Elyssara initially, but now they understand—we need her. We need her to defeat Maldrak, to bring down The Decay, to remove Thalmyr as a threat, to have any chance of rescuing Nalya. She knows more than we could ever discover on our own. But more than that,I need her.
Every logical voice in my head knows that I shouldn’t be feeling whatever I’m feeling for her. In another reality, we’d be sitting on opposing thrones, negotiating peace treaties from across the continent, bartering trade prices via messengers. We were never meant to be together. Never meant to feel thispull.
Fuck, the Stars know it. I know it. But I’m a selfish bastard. I’ve lost the people I love the most, and I won’t lose her. Not a fucking chance.
I leave Council Hollow and head straight for my room where Elyssara rests.
I knock softly on the door, peeking my head into the room, notexpecting to see Merrik with his sword drawn and aimed at my throat.
“It’s just me, you old bastard,” I chide playfully.
“Well, you’d have my balls in a vice if I didn’t protect the lass with my fuckin’ life, wouldn’t ya?” He counters mockingly.
I huff a laugh. “I would,” I concede. “How is she?”
Rubi stands up from Elyssara’s bedside, a belt filled with herbs and tinctures hanging from her waist, face serious for once. “Physically, she’s fine,” she states simply. “But it’s her mind and her heart that may take more mending.”
I nod. I’d already assumed that.
“I’ve given her some willowbalm to help her sleep, and tended to her cuts and scratches,” Rubi says in a hushed voice. “She’s resilient,” she says softly, pausing. “Almost too resilient.”
I know. She’s learned to brace for the fall before it comes.
“She’s been through a lot,” I say, voice low.
“She was calling out for her mother,” Rubi adds. “What do you know of her?”
I exhale heavily, gesturing to Merrik and Rubi to move away from the bed. “I’ve already told the council, so I may as well tell you both now, too. She’s the Dravari heir. Her mother was killed by Thalmyr,” I say clearly and concisely.
Rubi sucks in a sharp breath, clapping her hands over her mouth to cover her gasp.
“Fuck,” Merrik grits out, placing his hands on his hips in astonishment.
“She’s also soul-bound to the dragons, and the last one’s soul is preserved in a vessel in a lost kingdom,” I let the weight of my words hang between us. I know how ridiculous this sounds. I know how far off-track we’ve gone, but I can’t help but feel that this is precisely where I’m meant to be, anyway.
“I need a fucking drink,” Rubi groans, rubbing her temples.
“You’ve got to be kiddin’ me,” Merrik says. “Lad, I know how you feel about her, but isn’t this getting...,” he weighs his words, carefully selecting them, “you know, a bit beyond any semblance of a plan?”
“Sheisthe plan,” I say tightly. “Merrik, I won’t lose her. I will not let anyone hurt her. I won’t use her.”
