“Blackwood is the family name of the royal bloodline,” Cass said helpfully. “Muir is the name taken by the reigning queen’s family while in rule. It helps keep things separate since power doesn’t pass directly to her daughter, but potentially to another female in the bloodline.”
“That isnotcommon knowledge outside the realm.”
“Wait.” Celina grabbed his arm as he paced past her. “Rodric, is this going to be a problem?”
“I… no. I don’t know…”
Concern came to life inside her. She’d thought his resistance to magic would be their main challenge. Everyone knew her history and heritage at home. It hadn’t occurred to her that it would be difficult for him to accept.
“The line of succession works differently in Calderre.” She squeezed his arm. “Politically, I’m just a noble with a bit more responsibility. Relatively similar to a lord’s standing in Eldridge.”
A loud cough interrupted her.
Celina rolled her eyes. “Okay, maybe a little higher than that. But still, I’ll never be considered to rule. My standing as matriarch makes me ineligible.”
He gave her an incredulous look that implied her statement didn’t quell his concern, the opposite in fact. Smoothing a hand down his face, he visibly tried to calm his emotions. After a moment, he dropped a light kiss on her lips.
“I’m not running away,” he said, referencing his disappearing habit. “But Iamgoing to need a few moments.” With that, he strode into the woods.
Zora pulled up from where she was grazing as Rodric stalked off. Giving a short, abrupt screech, she trotted after him, turning to glare at Celina on her way.Great. Even his horse is upset with me.The two were so connected, it was no surprise the sassy mare followed him as he went to process the revelation.
Cass snickered. “So, when are you planning on telling him Cat’s odds of becoming queen?”
“Oh, hush. Let him be.” Celina shook her head, eyeing her best friend as she moved into the seat Rodric had vacated. “Cat told you she’s becoming an aspirant?”
“After she explained about your interesting interaction with Commander Varice, yes. She needs a purpose, Celina. If that’s what it takes, so be it. You could take a lesson from her.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” Cass raised her brow in challenge in a way only a best friend could. “You’ve been drifting for years. I understand not wanting to follow your mother’s path, but you need to make a choice. Become a full-time healer. Join the new refugee program council. Don’t. But you need to make peace with whatever you decide.”
Resigned to the conversation, Celina shifted into a more comfortable position on the log. The problem remained that she didn’t know her own heart in the matter. “Did Althea talk to you?”
“Morgan, actually. He recognized your mother’s dagger.” Cass nodded meaningfully to the sheathed weapon on her hip. “Why did you bring it?”
She touched the haunting object. “I hoped it would give me strength. Direction, maybe.”
“And has it?”
“Not yet,” Celina sighed, meeting her friend’s gaze. “You really think I’m meant to be on that council?”
Her best friend looked away, her hair ruffling in the light breeze. “Do you know why I joined the Wolflumen?”
Cass was rarely, if ever, willing to delve into her past.
“To learn to fight. So you wouldn’t be vulnerable again,” Celina answered.
“I’d lost everything. You were busy raising Cat, learning to heal. Morgan had warrior training. My entire family was gone. I needed someplace to belong.”
“Did you find it?”
“In some ways.” Cass stretched her legs out in front of her before finally turning back to meet Celina’s gaze. “They gave me a purpose. One I’m committed to, would die for. Becoming one of them transformed me into who I am now. Having a purpose gave me something to fight for. It helped heal me. You need that too, whether you want to admit it or not.”
The truth hurt. Even from a loving source. Maybe especially, because she couldn’t just wave Cass off and ignore her insights. “You forged a new path. I can’t escape mine. Or, my mother’s, rather.”
“Focusing on healing isn’t going to bring your parents back or vanquish the grief. I think you know that. Otherwise, you would have committed to it already.”
Celina stood and paced away from Cass, unable to deny it. Healing didn’t fill the void in her soul like it did when she was younger, as she hoped it would continue to do. It had worked for a time, but every year she became more unsettled, like she wasn’t doing what she was meant to. Wasn’t where she belonged.
