My gaze immediately found the man sitting in one of those chairs, his silver and green eyes boring into me as he lounged comfortably.
Call me a coward again, little menace, and I'll flay the skin from your bones and toss you in the woods for all the little creatures to feast upon, do you understand?
His words, his proximity last night echoed in my mind as my stomach lurched with surprise and fascination. His fingers moved in a lazy, lilting pattern, a trail of water following his motions. It had been so long since I had seen blessed magic bestowed by the Goddess Lua in the act.The Luanthians who converted to Soli were forbidden from using their magic, with very few exceptions. All those that could use them were only allowed to under very strict conditions. It appeared Roan Delmar did not have those same restrictions.
The magic was breathtaking.
There was something innate that drew me to him. Something that called deep within me, a familiarity that overwhelmed me every time our eyes met. It was a shame the man was such a prick because as much as I hated to admit it, he was beautiful.
Rena caught my attention next, sitting beside the Kinslayer, she gave an excited smile and wave. I relaxed slightly, giving her a small, but genuine, grin in return.
"Syra, Branson," Prince Kairen greeted as he rose from the chair behind the desk, his posture easygoing. “Welcome, I'm glad you both could make it."
Bran bowed deeply and I, begrudgingly, followed suit.
"Prince Kairen—”
"Please call me Kai, no need for formality," he said, gesturing me to a chair, one that just so happened to be directly across from the man I so desperately wished to avoid.
Grinding my teeth lightly, a tight smile pulled at my lips as I took the seat, Bran and Kairen both following suit. "Your Highness," I inserted instead, ignoring his request and going for an even more formal title simply to vex the people within the room. Perhaps a miscalculation, but I was past caring. “Thank you for the invitation. I'm assuming this meeting is to discuss whether we'll be joining you on your quest."
He tilted his head in a subtle nod of confirmation. “Have you come to a decision?"
Taking a deep breath, I turned slightly to glance at Bran and his chin dipped reassuringly. "We have," I said, hands clasping in my lap, my nails picking at the skin. “We will join you, but I have conditions before we finalize that decision."
An unsurprised chuckle sounded and the Kinslayer spoke, his lips twisting in a cruel smirk. “What a shocker that you have more demands."
Rena interjected before I could say a word, her normally playful tone exasperated. “Oh hush, you bully. We’re asking a lot from them, it's only fair that they too get to have a say in how this happens."
I had never heard anyone speak to Captain Delmar in such a cavalier manner, besides perhaps Kairen, but I didn't allow my shock to show. Instead I chose to ignore his comment and the scowl that had settled over his face as I turned back to the Prince. "I had not planned on my third trial taking months, weeks perhaps, but not months. I have many responsibilities here in Amori City, especially within the Old Quarter, as many Healers and Potion Makers refuse to enter it. I worry that my Aunt, my mentor, will be overworked without my assistance. She has temporary aid now, but if my cousin and l are to travel with you for however long this takes, I will only be able to go if she is provided a more permanent support in my absence. I request that one Potion Maker and one Healer each—ones that you trust to care for those in the Old Quarter with compassion and without complaint—be sent to help her at least three times a week. Whether they alternate days or go together, they can work out those details with my Aunt, but I cannot join you unless this is met."
Silence followed my request as the three exchanged looks and Bran cleared his throat. "My mother is getting older, Prince Kairen," he began, his voice strong and clear. “My cousin is the only assistance she has and helps her more than I can even express. It would be a large burden on mymother to lose her for months, and it would be detrimental to the people that they treat."
The prince nodded slowly, his golden eyes meeting mine with curiosity. "You care for those in the Old Quarter very much, that I can see," he said as he scribbled a note on a sheet of paper that laid on the table. "I will see that it is done. Your family will have no worries while we are away."
A breath of relief released in a slow exhale.
"Your next request then?" Delmar asked, arms crossing, his water forgotten in a cup that rested on the arm of his chair.
“If a cure is found," I hesitated, knowing this could very likely land me in hot water, but Ineededto make sure, "if I am able to help create this cure that your prophecy foretells, I need to be involved in every aspect of it. Including the distribution. There will be no hoarding it for one group or set of people. It is not only Solerian borns and the royal court that it should be accessible to. I need confirmation that this will be for the benefit of all of the Tavarrian people, including those in the Old Quarter and the Solerian converts."
Bran stilled; we had not discussed this. I hadn't even dared to bring it up to him, afraid that he would try to talk me out of it. Not that he didn't care about the welfare of all people, but he was protective of me. However, after that interaction with the message carrier the night before, after learning how the Solerian converts could only be attended by Master Healers on certain days despite what ailed them or how serious it was, it made me nervous. Was it really so far-fetched that they would keep the cure for themselves too?
The silence was cut through by a surprised laugh, all attention turning to Rena. "Oh, dear Uncle Artius will just love that, won't he?"
Suppressing the chilling terror that shivered through my body at that name, my hands fisted the fabric of my robes. King Artius of Tavari was a man I hoped to never encounter.
Kairen drummed his fingers against the arm of his chair, taking me in thoughtfully. “I have no intention of keeping the cure from anyone."
"Perhaps you don't," I conceded, “but the same can not be said for everyone. I need more than your word. A written agreement that this condition will be upheld or else I cannot—in good conscience—go on this quest."
A grin finally broke out on the Prince's face as he leaned forward and exclaimed, "This is why Iknowyou're the one from the prophecy. The people revere you because you fight for them. I will speak to my father and have the contract drawn up."
My shoulders dropped in relief just as breath left Bran’s lips—thankful Kairen had agreed to the terms.
We filed out of the office after discussing a few more tedious things, with plans to meet in a few days to go over the finer details of the quest and to return and show the agreement that would be written and signed. Prince Kairen and Rena wandered down the hall after their goodbyes, but the Kinslayer lingered, his eyes moving to Bran and Butler Nott who waited to take us back to the entrance.
"I need your assistance with something," he said, his voice strained, as if the thought of asking for my help physically pained him as he leaned back against the wall. I considered declining, turning my back on him and simply walking away, yet…
