“No. I will be traveling across the Anelkrol Badlands—”
“Kel—”
“Until I arrive at the Great Chasm. I have business at Voidseal Bridge.”
Ezryn spins me around, forcing me to stare into his helm. “What business could you possibly have there? That place is a pit of despair.”
“And the Deep Guard are the only ones holding that despair back from the rest of Winter,” I growl. “It’s home to my last living blood relative.”
Ez snorts. “You haven’t seen Irahn in years. Quellos was more of an uncle to you than Irahn ever has been.”
“Quellos was a traitor. He put his own ambitions above the law, above the good of the people. Irahn may be … eccentric, but he loved my mother, and he’s dedicated his life to the defense of the realm.”
“So, that’s your plan. To make Irahn the new steward?” Ezryn tilts his helm.
“For now, at least.”
I can tell Ezryn’s evaluating my decision by the length of time it takes him to react. Not that it’s unusual. Ezryn hasn’t agreed with one of my decisions since we’ve met.
It’s a wonder he’s followed me for most of them.
Finally, he speaks, his voice low and reverberating. “It’s not a decision to take lightly, Kel. Your uncle’s kept the Great Chasm protected for the last two decades. That’s why you named Quellos steward in the first place. Besides, Irahn hasn’t been part of civilized society in years.”
I wave an idle hand. “Winter has been sick with Quellos’s politics for too long. Irahn could be the ruler Winter needs.”
“Youare the ruler Winter needs.”
I walk toward the door, stepping into a beam of red light. It drips over my hair, my skin, drenching me in glowing blood. “I am Winter’s bane.”
Ezryn exhales heavily. “If you name Irahn steward, then what of the Voidseal? You would leave the Deep Guard without a warden.”
“No, I wouldn’t,” I say lowly. My hands squeeze into fists. “If all goes as intended integrating Irahn as the new steward, I shall remain at the Voidseal as Warden.”
A heavy silence fills the room. I want him to yell. Want him to attack me.
But I knew this was the most likely outcome: the quiet.
“You can’t be saying what I think you’re saying, Kel,” he whispers.
I take a breath, then, “I am. Irahn is my blood. If he accepts the role of steward and proves himself a worthy leader, I will pass the Blessing of Winter on to him and give up my rule as High Prince.”
A crack of lightning sounds outside, and the clouds roll in again.
“I can’t believe this,” he says, his whisper turning to a snarl. “The Sword of the Protector belongs toyou. Your father choseyou,not Irahn, to inherit his Blessing. You are meant to bring peace to Winter!”
“I am not meant for anything,” I say. “At least in Irahn’s possession, the Blessing would not be hindered by this curse.”
“A curse you need not bear!” Ezryn storms toward me and shoves my chest. Ah, yes, here it is. That anger. This I can manage.
But Ezryn doesn’t push me again. Instead, he grabs my face, his gloved hands rough against my jaw. “Let me help you, Kel. Let me bring Caspian to justice. I will see him to a quick end, and this bargain would be broken forever. I will go to the Below for you, and he would not feel pain. I can free you and Winter and Rosalina—”
I clasp Ezryn’s wrists and remove them from my face. “I can’t let you do that.”
“Bah!” He shoves past me, then slams a fist against the doorframe. “You know once you pass the Blessing on, it will be gone from you forever. It cannot be returned without great danger to your life.”
“I understand.”
“So, that’s it then. You’ll leave Castletree. Leave Rosalina. Leaveus.” Ezryn’s body collapses against the frame. “All to protect the traitor.”
