Tarnan let out a slow breath. “I was planning on filling you in at dinner, but given our limited time, I do think it’s crucial you’re both aware of this now. It’s no secret Karwyn despises humans. But it is far worse than you know.”
“Worse than being hunted and killed?” Elyssa scoffed.
Tarnan’s eyes turned sympathetic. “No, but the fae have stayed clear of the human world for seventy-five years now. At the very least, Earth was safe. But no more.”
Elyssa crossed her arms. “What are you trying to say?”
Tarnan leaned against Amira’s desk as if the truth was too hard to bear standing. “Karwyn is responsible for the virus on Earth. Human healers couldn’t find a medical cure because there is none. He was the one with the cure.”
Silent seconds ticked by. Elyssa didn’t move an inch; shock had taken over her system. Amira looked just as surprised. But the more Elyssa thought about it, the more it all made sense.
“Of freaking course,” she mumbled. Lora had every damn reason to stay with Karwyn—without him, she would have never gotten a cure. She turned to Tarnan. “How do you know this?”
“I have spies,” Tarnan replied. “And that’s not the only thing they are telling me. There is a rumour that Karwyn planned the attack in Quarnian to damage Queen Kaylanthea’s reputation.”
“He had his own people attacked?” Amira asked, probably thinking about Rhay. Elyssa couldn’t help but think Rhay might have been in on it too.
“Would you put it past him?” Tarnan replied.
Amira shook her head. “He can’t be high king. He justcan’t.”
“Agreed,” Elyssa said. It seemed the king was even more evil than she’d first given him credit for.
“Karwyn is unfit to become the next high king, but he currently is the strongest candidate as the interim High King. Hewillwin.” Tarnan said, a calculating light in his eyes. “Unless we put a stop to him.”
The words ignited a familiar fire in her chest, yet Elyssa couldn’t help but think Tarnan could have an ulterior motive. He was in the High King Contest, after all. But as long as Karwyn would be stopped, she could use Tarnan to her advantage.
Something Elyssa had read in that small book in the library triggered an idea. “If we can bind his powers, he won’t win.” She looked to Tarnan, hoping to find her own determination to end Karwyn reflected back at her. “There was a mention of a spell in one of the books in your library, but I couldn’t find the actual spell.”
Tarnan rubbed his chin with one hand. “I’m aware of the spell you speak of. It has only been done once, to bind the Dark King’s powers. It is an extremely difficult spell. It would require the help of multiple experienced witches, and even then, they would need to draw on a powerful artefact to keep from burning themselves out.”
Elyssa noticed Amira’s hands fidgeting, grasping the fabric of her maroon trousers. “I can help. I can try, at least,” the princess said. A few days ago, she was talking about getting rid of her powers, and now she wanted to try a complex spell that could kill her? The princess never ceased to surprise her.
“You’ll burn yourself out,” Elyssa stated. “It’s too risky.” It had been a long time since Elyssa deemed anythingtoo risky.
Amira met her worried gaze. “I want to try. Can Farren help me pull power from an artefact?”
“We don’t have any artefacts that powerful,” Elyssa explained.
“I have an old friend. A witch. I haven’t been in contact with her for a long time, but I think she would help,” Tarnan said. “As for the artefact, I only know of two that are strong enough to pull from. They were last used to create the border spell.”
Elyssa’s breath hitched. She had heard about how the border spell was created. The artefacts had been split up between the two worlds. One was hidden in Liraen and one on Earth. It made it impossible to attempt to break the spell.
“Did one of your ancient books happen to mention where those artefacts are hidden?” Elyssa asked. Tarnan seemed to have spent most of his life studying. If anyone knew, he would.
“I have searched for the location for years, fearing it might be needed one day. Being prepared is invaluable,” he said. “I am almost certain one of the artefacts is hidden underneath the temple in Parae, close to the palace.”
“You’ve never gone looking for it to be sure?” Amira asked. Elyssa had the same question.
Tarnan crossed his arms. “There wouldn’t be much point to it. To make sure the fae couldn’t use it, the artefact in the fae land was spelled so only a human could remove it from its hiding spot. Vice versa, the artefact in the human world can only be removed by a fae.”
Kind of genius, Elyssa thought. And finally something she could help with. “Marvellous. Looks like this artefact made the top of my to-do list.” She smiled at Tarnan before turning to Amira, who seemed more unsure. Elyssa felt uneasy about messing with something that could bring down the border, but since the second artefact was safe on Earth and it was theironeway to stop Karwyn, it was worth the risk.
“Amira?” Tarnan said, leaning closer to the princess. “What do you think about this? If you don’t wish to use your powers, I will respect your decision.”
Amira glanced from Tarnan to Elyssa, her eyes brighter, more determined. “Maybe I’m meant to have them for this reason.”
Elyssa’s lips tipped upward. “Let’s give him hell.”
